One of the project’s objectives is to strengthen climate resilience. The support is designed to quadruple rice production to four tons per hectare and increase the annual income of farming families.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group approved a $22.8 million grant from its African Development Fund, aimed at concessional financing, to strengthen Mozambique’s rice value chain and improve climate resilience, targeting 30,000 smallholder farmers across four provinces.
The grant will fund the Rice Value Chain and Climate Resilience Project (Rivacrep), which aims to increase Mozambique’s rice self-sufficiency from 50% to 75% by 2030. The strategy addresses several critical food security challenges in what the AfDB describes as “one of Africa’s most food-insecure nations.”
Support for the Most Vulnerable Producers
Although rice is a staple food, Mozambique produces only half of the 600,000 tons consumed annually, relying on imports to cover a 300,000-ton deficit, “a dependence that depletes foreign reserves and worsens rural poverty,” noted the development bank.
“By targeting the most vulnerable populations and focusing on climate-smart technologies, the grant will have a lasting impact on food security and rural livelihoods,” said Macmillan Anyanwu, AfDB resident representative in Mozambique. The initiative aligns with the country’s national development strategy and the AfDB’s commitment to transforming agricultural value chains. The project specifically targets vulnerable populations, with 70% of beneficiaries being women and 30% youth.
Goal: Quadruple Rice Production
The initiative is designed to quadruple rice production from one ton per hectare to four tons per hectare and increase family incomes from around $590 to $1,000 annually. Initial results are expected to generate an additional 6,000 tons of rice per year. While this only covers 2% of the country’s current deficit, it establishes a foundation to increase production and reduce import dependence.
“The project will also serve as a model for value chain transformation, which could be replicated for other commodities,” said Neeraj Vij, AfDB Regional Director.
Rivacrep will rehabilitate 1,000 hectares of irrigation infrastructure, primarily in Gaza province, and establish five small-scale rice milling facilities along with ten aggregation centers through public-private partnerships. Key interventions include rehabilitation of irrigation systems, land leveling, drainage improvements, climate-resilient storage facilities, and introduction of drought- and flood-resistant rice varieties, in partnership with international research institutions. These measures are expected to reduce post-harvest losses by more than half, from 26% to 12%.
A Project to Serve as a Model
“By building resilient infrastructure and integrating private sector actors, Rivacrep will enable Mozambique to reduce import dependency, create internal value addition, and lay the foundation for an industrialized, climate-smart rice sector,” stated Neeraj Vij, AfDB Regional Director for Industry, Agriculture, and Human Development.
“The project will also serve as a model for transforming other agricultural value chains. This will help build a more self-sufficient and resilient economy, reducing external dependence and creating opportunities for youth and women,” he added.
Addressing Food Security and Nutrition
“Mozambique faces widespread malnutrition, with child stunting rates reaching 44% in Zambezia province,” the AfDB notes. The project incorporates a strong nutrition component targeting 6,000 beneficiaries through the promotion of biofortified rice varieties rich in iron and zinc.
To address vulnerability to climate shocks and regional food security challenges, particularly in northern provinces, Rivacrep includes an emergency response mechanism, enabling rapid support during crises. The Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, and Fisheries of Mozambique will lead implementation.
Rivacrep supports multiple development goals aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project will run from December 2026 to the end of 2030, with a mid-term review in 2028.
The African Development Fund is the AfDB’s concessional arm, providing grants and low-interest loans to support development projects in Africa’s most vulnerable countries.
Text: Editorial Team • Photo: DR
