Manica province reduces food insecurity through irrigation

Food insecurity in Mozambique's Manica province has significantly decreased, falling from 248,851 people between January and March to approximately 101,222 between April and September of this year.

Manica Governor Francisca Tomás attributed this reduction of 147,629 people to increased agricultural production during the 2025-2026 campaign and measures taken to strengthen productive capacity against the effects of El Niño. Key interventions include the distribution of 60 diesel water pumps across six districts and the acquisition of solar-powered irrigation systems.

Under the Inclusive Development Program of Agri-food Value Chains, the province is also acquiring 22 photovoltaic irrigation systems for four districts. Additional plans include installing six water supply systems and 20 more photovoltaic systems to support producers. These actions are part of an emergency recovery and resilience program initiated by President Daniel Chapo.

This local improvement occurs despite a national trend of worsening food needs. Technical analysis by the Technical Secretariat for Food and Nutritional Security (SETSAN) estimates that acute food insecurity in Mozambique could reach 1.84 million people by March 2027, up from the current 1.19 million.