Mozambique has a population of almost 34 million people,^[1] with 61%^[2] living in rural areas and 39% living in urban areas.^[3] The agricultural sector assumes 70% of total employment in Mozambique^[4] and represents 26.7% of the national GDP.^[5]

Despite its past of a long civil war, the country has been characterized by extraordinary economic growth in recent decades. However, this development has not been translated in better livelihoods for the Mozambican population, the majority of whom still lives in poverty. Agriculture is the main economic activity in rural areas. Farmers mainly depend on their crops to survive, yet they face low productivity and are often isolated from the markets. Women’s agricultural work in rural areas is essential to the household income, yet they are in a highly disadvantaged position. They have limited access to productive resources, no voice in decision-making processes and lower wages than men.^[6]

The top produced commodities in Mozambique are cassava, sugar cane, maize, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes.^[7] Mozambique’s top export commodities in terms of quantity are raw sugar, bananas, sesame seeds, and soya beans.^[8]