Cervejas de Moçambique’s (CDM) commitment to purchasing locally produced corn is establishing itself as one of the main drivers of the national agricultural sector, by securing a market for thousands of producers and stimulating increased production in the country, according to the Mozambique News Agency.
According to the agency, in the last harvest alone, the company purchased approximately 33,500 tons of corn from various locations across Mozambique—a raw material used in beer production—as part of an effort that also aims to reduce dependence on imports.
This position was reiterated in the district of Báruè, in the province of Manica, during a meeting that brought together farmers, seed producers, and other stakeholders in the value chain to review the 2024–2025 agricultural season and prepare for the coming seasons.
On that occasion, CDM’s executive director, Bruno Tembe, emphasized that close collaboration with producers has been crucial to the results achieved, both in terms of quality and quantity produced.
Bruno Tembe emphasized that “the company’s strategy involves strengthening ties with farmers, with a view to increasing production associated with the Impala brand, based on locally grown corn.”
In addition, Tembe advocated for increased technical assistance in the field, noting that a sustainable increase in productivity depends on ongoing support for producers, particularly regarding best agricultural practices.
“The company’s vision also includes expanding domestic production of industrial inputs, including packaging, thereby reducing the need to rely on foreign sources to supply the production chain,” he said.
In Manica province, CDM currently works with approximately 16,000 producers, a number the company intends to expand as demand for raw materials grows.
On the part of the Agricultural Marketing Company (ECA), agronomy manager Lázaro Salizani explained that the partnership model adopted has made it possible to support producers throughout the entire production cycle, ensuring not only technical assistance but also the marketing of their produce.
Lázaro Salizani noted that meetings of this nature serve as platforms for collective learning, allowing farmers to compare seed performance and adopt more efficient practices.
He added that producers from various districts in northern Manica, as well as from Angónia in Tete Province, participated, which “demonstrates the growing interest in growing corn for industrial purposes.”
For his part, Bruno Patreque, the district administrator of Báruè, highlighted the government’s role in creating the conditions to strengthen this link between the agricultural and business sectors.
Bruno Patreque explained that “the government has acted as a facilitator, ensuring oversight of the process from production to marketing, with a focus on protecting farmers’ interests.”
The meeting took place in the town of Chiuala and included seed exhibitions and direct interaction among the various stakeholders in the value chain.
The collaboration between CDM and ECA, which began in 2012, continues to establish itself as a model of integration between agriculture and industry, with a direct impact on the development of the rural economy in Mozambique.
