Around 139 hectares of diverse agricultural crops were lost due to floods in Maputo Province. To assess the extent to which it can support those affected, the Agro-Mozal project surveyed the losses recorded by associated farmers.
The Agro-Mozal project, by the aluminum foundry company Mozal, implemented by the SOICO Foundation (FUNDASO), visited some associations of farmers in Maputo Province. The initiative aims to survey equipment losses caused by natural disasters.
Meanwhile, the production fields that were once fertile, with seeds sprouting, have been invaded by rainwater that has fallen in recent weeks, leaving submerged crops.
As a consequence, equipment, as well as crops of maize, beans, cucumber, tomato, among others, belonging to farmers from 12 associations in the districts of Namaacha, Changalane and Boane, in Maputo Province, were lost.
“Association 44 exists, but we are unable to work because our machine (irrigation pump) is out of order. The rainwater covered the hut that protected the machine and nothing was going well,” said Armando Macamo, president of Associação 44.
There are many farmers who suffer because of the actions of the rain. Associação 27 de Setembro, in Mahanhane, lost almost everything, as the president explains.
“The rain brought a lot of misfortune to the farmer. All the crops that Agro-Mozal gave us were washed away by the rains, and we were already in the harvesting phase”, advanced Gomes Massuque, president of Associação 27 de Setembro.
Losses and breakdowns are words that dominate almost all associations in the province. “The rains had a very negative impact on our agricultural activity. At our pumping station in Maguiza, the water reached more than half of the pump house, the entire motor pump was submerged. The second station is under the same circumstances”, revealed Daniel Silva, representative of the Manguiza Association.
Faced with the losses, the Agro-Mozal project, a Mozal initiative implemented by FUNDASO, went to the site to survey the damage to see how it might provide support.
“We are currently doing survey work. We have already taken note of all associations. In a short period of time, we will be able to find out what these damages really mean, and I have to emphasize that this happens at a time when we are ready to start the current agricultural campaign”, said Patrício Manjate, manager of the Agro-Mozal project.
According to representatives of the associations, farmers need support to get back on their feet.
