As part of the Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Food Security, Combating Hunger and Rural Development, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries visited important Brazilian institutions and producers' cooperatives on May 20 and 21 to learn about innovative practices and modern technologies with a multiplier impact on family farming, livestock farming, fish farming and food security.

The visit to the National Supply Company (Conab) allowed direct contact with effective public policies for strategic food storage, support for family farming, food distribution programs such as the Food Acquisition Program (PAA) and solidarity kitchens. Conab also highlighted its efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and guarantee social inclusion.

At the AgroBrasília Fair, the African guests and the Mozambican delegation learned about technological innovations applied to the agricultural sector, produced by Embrapa - an agricultural research institution, including the development of crop varieties adapted to climate change, mechanization suitable for small farms, sustainable pasture production, the use of bio-inputs and artificial intelligence, as well as the enhancement of local production through certification and branding.

The most remarkable moment of the mission was the visit to the Indaiá Cooperative - Araguaia Dairy. This community project exemplifies the potential of family farming in the artisanal production of milk and dairy products, with strong involvement from the community, especially women and young people. This cooperative's processing unit uses sustainable local resources, with technical support from Emater and funding from Banco do Brasil. The cooperative supplies school feeding programs and local markets, promoting economic and social development in the country.

Embrapa Semiárido, in the São Francisco Valley - Brazil's semi-arid region - was also one of the destinations of the visit. Here the delegation experienced technologies and practices adapted to food production in climate-challenged areas, which are fundamental to overcoming poverty and promoting food security. Embrapa Semiárido's water trails were presented, which use systems such as cisterns, productive backyards, treated wastewater for irrigation and other technologies for living with low rainfall, with the aim of optimizing the use of water in arid regions.

The delegation also visited fruit-growing units with an emphasis on tropicalized grapes - made up of small family units - which have their own systems for processing and marketing the products, ensuring local added value. They also visited CODEVASF's fish farming units, located in the Bebedouro irrigated perimeter, which are dedicated to propagating native species of fish fry.

Initiatives to train producers to manage aquaculture projects were also presented, strengthening the autonomy and sustainability of local communities. There was an opportunity to see how the integration of fruit farming, fish farming and livestock farming can create sustainable rural production models adapted to the conditions of the semi-arid region. A particular highlight was the technology of fish farming and the use of underground dams, which allows for the efficient use of water resources in semi-arid environments.

This visit is extremely important because it reinforces Mozambique's commitment to learning from Brazilian experiences in order to apply technological solutions that contribute to sustainable rural development and to mitigating the effects of climate change in its semi-arid areas. According to the Minister, "the government mission to Brazil, which is now coming to an end, strengthens cooperation between Mozambique and that South American country, and will give a huge boost to strengthening Mozambican rural public policies, with a special focus on building resilient and inclusive food systems that will allow the mission: Feeding Mozambique to materialize". (Press Release)