The study entitled "Sharing information and knowledge with urban farmers to build agricultural practices: the case of the Infulene Valley, Mozambique", by Arsénio Jorge, a lecturer at Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), was considered the best doctoral thesis in Sociology in 2024 by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Brazil.

The distinction puts Mozambique on the radar of global scientific research and reinforces UEM's role as a center of excellence in the production of knowledge.

Arsénio Jorge's research delves into the universe of urban agriculture in the Infulene Valley, analyzing how local farmers share knowledge and combine traditional practices with technical innovations.

The research highlights the impact of accelerated urbanization, the precariousness of agricultural work and the challenges faced by small producers to remain active in an environment of constant transformation.

The study also exposes structural inequalities, such as the exclusion of women farmers from access to resources and the dominance of male leaders in decision-making about production practices.

With an interdisciplinary approach, Arsénio Jorge used methodologies from agronomy, sociology and statistics to provide a robust diagnosis of production processes in urban agriculture. In addition to expanding knowledge on the subject, the thesis has a strong social impact by providing subsidies for the formulation of public policies aimed at food sustainability and the valorization of small urban farmers.

The award ceremony took place in Brazil, but Arsénio Jorge was unable to attend for personal reasons. However, the recognition of his research transcends borders and consolidates his trajectory as one of the most promising Mozambican academics in the field of sociology applied to agriculture.

With a degree in Agronomy and Forestry Engineering and a Master's in Rural Extension from UEM, Arsénio Jorge has now added a PhD in Sociology from UFMG to his CV, proving that the talent and scientific research developed in Mozambique has a global impact. (UEM Press Release)