Mozambique’s agriculture minister says Gaza Province could produce enough vegetables to reduce the country’s dependence on imports from South Africa as flood recovery efforts restore production.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
Roberto Albino, Mozambique’s Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries, says the southern province of Gaza has the potential to produce enough vegetables to significantly reduce the country’s dependence on imports from South Africa.
He made the remarks during a working visit to Massingir Valley Farms, where he met vegetable producers and seed companies in Macarretane as part of an assessment of the province’s agricultural recovery and production potential, according to the Club of Mozambique news platform.
“We want to make a commitment with all stakeholders to a vigorous drive towards fully replacing imports of potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage and onions,” Albino said.
He praised the recovery of Massingir Valley Farms in Massingir District, where production has resumed on about 2 000 hectares after severe flood damage.
“We were very impressed because they suffered greatly from the floods yet have already recovered,” he said. “They demonstrated great resilience and commitment to recovery. We need more than just patching up breaches. We need robust reconstruction that can withstand future floods.”
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Flood recovery strengthens production ambitions
During a visit to Guijá District, Albino expressed satisfaction with the impact of government support provided to flood-affected farmers through seed distribution programmes.
“What we saw in the field shows that the producers made good use of the support received, and we are going to have a very promising second season,” he said.
Albino also inspected bean seed production fields, and said the district has the potential to become a centre of excellence for maize and bean seed production. All flood-affected farmers previously identified by the government will be included in the recovery support programme, he said.
Addressing irrigation challenges, he said the government is working to ensure the Chókwè and Lower Limpopo irrigation schemes are operational for the 2026/27 production season while longer-term reconstruction of damaged infrastructure continues.
According to Club of Mozambique, Albino’s visit formed part of the government’s efforts to assess the region’s productive capacity following a series of natural disasters, particularly severe flooding.
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