- Published by
- International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
- Project implementer
- DAI
- Donor
- SDC
- Programme
- InovAgro
- Results level
- Poverty reduction
- Method
- Observational / Qualitative
- Data source
- Mixed
- Intervention types
- Improved access to finance
- Improved value chain coordination
InovAgro aimed to increase economic involvement of poor smallholder farmers (SHFs) in Northern Mozambique.
The project applied a MSD approach to create synergies between larger private companies and SHFs, focusing on improving access to finance, certified seeds, and markets. It spanned three phases from 2011 to 2021, with the final phase emphasising climate-smart agriculture, gender sensitivity and knowledge management.
The report highlights achievements in certified seed supply, financial services, market systems, and gender inclusion, while identifying challenges such as market distortions, financial literacy, and sustainability of initiatives. It focuses on the project's performance from 2015 to 2021.
Intervention description
The project partnered with private sector seed suppliers, agro-dealers, and community organisations to improve certified seed supply and agricultural services.
Specific activities included organising demonstration plots, field days and training sessions for farmers. For example, the project facilitated the establishment of 792 demonstration plots and 150 field days annually by 2019/20. Partners such as PANNAR Seeds, Seed Co, Klein Karoo and Phoenix Seeds, among others, actively participated and expanded their networks. The number of SHFs purchasing certified seeds grew from 10,500 in 2017 to 32,684 in 2021, indicating successful adoption and scaling of interventions.
Evidence methodology
The evaluation used a combination of interviews, questionnaires and field visits to assess the project's outcomes.
Interviews were conducted with project teams, management, stakeholders and beneficiaries. The evaluation included a presentation of preliminary findings and lessons learned during a validation workshop in Nampula.
The scope of the evaluation covered the entire project period (2011-2021), with a focus on phases II and III (2015-2021) where the MSD approach was applied.