Harnessing Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Resilience

A market systems approach to inclusive entrepreneurship in rural communities with a focus on women and youth

In Mozambique iDE is implementing its largest global operation with funded projects totalling more than US$40 million. By implementing a range of innovative agricultural, entrepreneurship and alternative livelihood projects across the country, iDE is working to lift thousands of people out of poverty.

Change Agents Power Recovering Mozambican Farmers

iDE Adapted To Combat Natural Disasters and Socio-Economic Disruptions

Farm Business Advisor (FBA) Flora Mostiço is a change agent in her Mozambican community. At her market store in Nhamatanda, in the Beira Corridor, the mother of six sells affordable agricultural inputs including high quality seeds, fertilizer, and water pumps. Despite repeated cyclones in the region, she runs a successful small scale farm and provides business support to other farmers. “I started with something small and now I am growing,” Flora says of her business. iDE has trained some 332 (117 women) FBAs like Flora across Mozambique’s Maputo, Sofala, Manica, Tete and Zambezia provinces.

Adapting to climate change

The Farmer Resilience & Rebuilding Initiative in Mozambique

How iDE is helping smallholder farmers increase their resilience following both Cyclone Idai and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even remote farmers are threatened by COVID-19

Our usual support during the growing season has been hampered, or completely suspended in order to prevent the spread of the disease, and that’s why we’re trying new methods to help rural farmers.

Because FBAs are entrepreneurs who connect urban suppliers and buyers to rural smallholder farmers, they can be a powerful force in a time of crisis.

Students seek solutions for food preservation

Design students from the Colorado School of Mines develop context-oriented technology to strengthen the post-harvest value chain in rural Mozambique

iDE works with university partners to explore technologies that promise to increase market options for fruit and vegetable farmers.

I De Moz 20181203 Smart Mariana Martene Fba 21X9

Increasing women’s roles in household decision-making in Mozambique

Involve the entire family in order to achieve gender equality

Growing markets

ENTREPRENEUR PROFILE: Expanding farm-to-business marketing in Mozambique

Mariana now has a business connecting farms directly to restaurants, ensuring that everyone benefits from increased service that ensures profit and better food.

I De Ex Moz 21X9 2018 Mozambique Angelo Cumaio Commercial Farmer Smart Photo By Marlene Muzezela I De Img 8613

Greenhouses break new ground

Visible agricultural technology spurs demand for change in Mozambique

Tropical greenhouse technology incorporates drip irrigation and ultraviolet plastic filtration cover that both protects the plants from heavy rainfall but also accelerates photosynthesis, resulting in healthier, larger produce.

Resource-smart technology

Bridging the design gap between the developed and developing worlds

Understanding that small-scale farming families have severe resource limitations, iDE works to help minimize the pressure on labor, income, water, and energy by identifying and re-designing technologies existing at the intersection of these four resources, which can have a life-changing impact on struggling farmers.

Learning and leading

STAFF PROFILE: Searching for the entrepreneurial spirit in FBA recruits

Llionel Simbarashe Zisengwe is in pursuit of the entrepreneurial spirit. He’s the project manager for a Farm Business Advisor program in Mozambique. He recruits Farm Business Advisors that are motivated, knowledgeable, personable, mobile, and successful farmers themselves.

A new era of progress

Promoting modern agricultural practices in Mozambique

Farm business advisors are change agents who dispense information about best practices in technology, fertilizers, pest management, and post-harvest storage through training sessions and demonstrations, as well as sell direct services, such as crop spraying.

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