Zitamar Daily: Dig for victory!

Optimism for agriculture is not matched by progress on hunger

Agriculture is a key part of what is underpinning optimism for Mozambique’s medium term economic prospects, according to Standard Bank’s reading of the government’s economic plan for 2023. The Sustenta programme of agriculture minister Celso Correia, funded by the World Bank, is increasing areas under cultivation and productivity and leading to reductions in rural poverty, Standard Bank notes.

Despite this growth in production, however, Mozambique is still struggling to feed itself. The problem is perhaps most acute in conflict-hit Cabo Delgado, where the World Food Programme is currently only able to provide the needy with 40% of the calories they need. The organisation is now engaged in raising funds to allow it to continue feeding people affected by fighting there.

People in central Mozambique displaced by the last round of Renamo-related violence are also hungry, complaining of a lack of government assistance but also a drought, which is having effects even in places that have not been affected by conflict. Notícias today has a long report from Massengena in Gaza, which is again hit by drought and hunger.

Mozambique could feed its people; its failure to do so is a political choice, but not necessarily one of its own politicians. As Standard Bank notes, the coming years are going to be marked by austerity as Mozambique tries to get government spending and borrowing back to levels acceptable to the IMF. But Mozambique should not, and does not, have to borrow in order to buy the food that it itself produces. The country’s own aid agency, the INGD, should be given the cash to buy food from domestic producers to cover at least the emergency needs of the country. That really would be pro-growth, anti-poverty policy.

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Agenda:

• Today: President Filipe Nyusi in Abu Dhabi on the second day of a three-day visit to the UAE

  • There will be no Council of Ministers meeting today due to Nyusi’s absence

• Thursday: International Conference on Capital Markets and Stock Exchanges, hosted by Mozambique’s stock exchange BVM

  • Speakers to attend from the stock exchanges of Brazil and Cabo Verde

• 19-29 October: Tanzania People's Defence Force holds field exercises in the southeastern regions of Lindi, and Mtwara

  • Another exercise has since been announced in the Ruvuma region

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Today’s headlines:

• Agriculture sector to underpin 2023 GDP growth (Standard Bank)

• Indonesian oil company seeking buyers for Búzi gas (O País)

• Telecoms market sees 2.5% loss of turnover in 2021 (Lusa)

• Government mobilised $930m to fight impacts of covid-19 (Notícias)

• WFP cuts food aid due to funding shortage (AIM)

• Displaced victims of Renamo military junta report extreme hunger (DW)

Today’s front pages in Maputo. Photo © Faizal Chauque / Zitamar News