The Manica provincial government is mobilizing partners to obtain funds for technical assistance to 300 farmers to increase vegetable production in the district of Sussundenga, in that region of central Mozambique. 

The program is being implemented in the Tsetsera area, through a project by the Sussundenga agrarian village.

The idea is to initially produce wheat and vegetables in an area estimated at around 500 hectares.

The provincial director of Agriculture and Fisheries in Manica, Ernesto Lopes, said a few days ago that contacts were underway with some partners to mobilize financial resources and guarantee technical support so that the farmers would be equipped with knowledge about the production of these crops.

"The idea is to give producers enough knowledge to enhance the value of the wheat and vegetable production chain," he said.

The source was speaking in Chimoio, the provincial capital, where he assured that the agriculture sector is in contact with all the partners to materialize the production plan.

"Sussundenga has arable land and irrigation infrastructure. These infrastructures have the capacity to irrigate around 577 hectares. So, initially we have this project, which will cover an area of 200 hectares. Gradually, we will increase the production areas," explained the provincial director of agriculture and fisheries in Manica, adding that "in these 200 hectares we will produce wheat and vegetables". For this reason, "we believe that the partners will complete the technical support to the producers so that the production chains are all complete. We don't want some production chains not to come to an end".

Quoted by AIMThe source also revealed that the government intends to grant a concession to the agrarian village in the Tsetsera irrigated area, with an estimated value of around one million US dollars, the equivalent of more than 63.7 million meticais. "By granting concessions for that area, we want to see large-scale wheat production. Our province has the conditions to produce this crop. What we hope is that production will increase and Manica will become a benchmark in the cultivation of wheat and vegetables."

Manica province has arable land for wheat production, mainly in the districts of Sussundenga, Báruè, Manica, Gondola, Mossurize and Macate.

In 2023, the agricultural sector estimated a production of around 1,800 tons of wheat, a cash crop. This is why the government wants to invest in mass production of these crops in some districts.

Growing wheat and vegetables will be the responsibility of the family sector, which could increase the income of the farmers involved in their cultivation.

Figures from the agricultural sector indicate that at least 15,000 farmers are growing wheat in the districts of Manica, Báruè and Mossurize.