Can Niassa’s Seed System Roadmap Become a Catalyst for National Food Security in Mozambique?
17 February 2026, Mozambique: Amina Rajabo a smallholder farmer from Lichinga, enters each planting season with a familiar unease. She prepares her fields with care, follows the rains with precision, and does everything a committed farmer should. Yet one critical element remains beyond his control: access to quality seed. This is the reality for many farmers across Niassa in Mozambique.
Niassa is a province endowed with rich soils and favorable agroecological conditions but persistent scarcity of improved seed continues to undermine yields further limiting any prospects of farming households seeking more dignified livelihood.
On 5 November 2025, stakeholders from across Niassa’s agriculture sector gathered in Lichinga for a provincial consultation under CIMMYT’s Transforming Sustainable Agrifood Systems in Niassa (TSAN) project. The meeting brought longstanding seed system challenges into sharp focus and created a platform for government leaders, researchers, agrodealers, seed companies, farmer representatives and development partners to align priorities. The goal: to reshape the seed system through coordinated, inclusive action.
A system in need of renewal
In his opening remarks, Moses Siambi, CIMMYT’s Regional Director for Africa, underscored that Niassa’s strategic location and favorable growing conditions position it to play a far greater role in Mozambique’s seed landscape. Realizing this potential, he noted, will require deeper collaboration across institutions and a seed system that is coordinated and responsive to farmer needs.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that CIMMYT’s efforts complement the direction set by government and partners. Only by working toward the same vision can Niassa build a seed sector that grows enterprises, creates opportunities for young people and strengthens the province’s contribution to national agriculture.”
He further emphasized the urgency of the moment:
“Without access to improved and reliable seeds, Niassa’s farmers cannot translate their resilience into productivity. That is why we are here today, to build a shared roadmap for a sustainable seed system in this province.”
Since the launch of TSAN in September 2024, CIMMYT has supported more than 3,000 farming families across Lichinga, Chimbunila, Ngauma and Mandimba, working closely with 113 farmer associations to strengthen their capacity, introduce improved agronomic practices and connect them to emerging opportunities within the seed and input systems.
Leadership calls for collective responsibility
During the workshop, the Niassa, Provincial Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ms Flavia Langa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing systemic gaps:
“This workshop offers us a valuable opportunity to reflect together and shape practical, sustainable strategies that respond to Niassa’s reality. The government remains fully committed to supporting private seed inspectors and strengthening enforcement to protect farmers from counterfeit seed.”
She emphasized the province’s readiness to support the accreditation of private inspectors and enforce stronger measures to curb the circulation of poor-quality seed. This includes influencing the revision of the governing law to allow private seed inspectors to operate independently.
The National Seed Meeting held in September in Manica, in which CIMMYT was represented, set out national priorities for strengthening first generation seed production, improving inspection services and addressing counterfeit seed challenges. The National Director of Agriculture, Mr. Jabula Zibia, noted that the efforts underway in Niassa are fully aligned with this agenda and reflect the same priorities identified at national level.Laying a strong foundation with Early Generation Seed (EGS).
“Seeds form the foundation of agricultural production and should be treated as a strategic element of sovereignty and development.”he said
The Mozambique Institute of Agrarian Research (IIAM) outlined both the province’s strengths and the structural gaps that limit seed availability. With more than 200 hectares of productive land and a team of skilled agronomists and technicians, IIAM has the capacity to play a central role in supplying early generation seed to local multipliers. However, this potential can only be realized through stronger alignment across research, production and distribution systems. As one IIAM representative noted, “Niassa does not lack potential. What we need is a coordinated system that brings research, production and distribution together. Strengthening early generation seed is essential if we want the rest of the value chain to function.”
Through the TSAN project, CIMMYT is working closely with IIAM to reinforce this foundation and ensure that high quality planting material reaches farmers more efficiently and consistently.
From market gaps to market confidence
Agrodealer participants highlighted the difficulties they face in maintaining consistent supply and ensuring proper storage and handling of seed. One representative noted:
“Farmers come to us looking for quality seed, but availability is still very limited. We want to serve them better, but we need training, clearer regulations and a stronger system that ensures the seed we sell meets the standards farmers deserve.”
This sentiment echoed the workshop’s broader conclusion: agro-dealers must become professionalized partners in the seed system, not just intermediaries.
Aligning priorities for collective action
During the discussion, participants identified several challenges within Niassa’s seed system such as limited technical capacity among agro-dealers, unsafe handling of inputs and weak coordination across institutions. They emphasized the need for targeted training, clearer financial flows and stronger engagement of youth and academic partners such as UniLurio.
Irish Aid, the funding partner supporting TSAN, reaffirmed its commitment to helping address these gaps, with a representative noting:
“Our partnership with CIMMYT and the provincial authorities reflects our commitment to supporting farmers and helping build a seed system that is transparent, inclusive and sustainable.” Financial institutions also expressed readiness to support viable seed enterprises, stressing that a more organized value chain would attract greater investment. Despite the constraints, participants agreed that coordinated action, strengthened capacity and committed partnerships such as this one can drive meaningful improvements in Niassa’s seed landscape.
A shared vision for Niassa’s seed future
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to move from dialogue to concrete action and to build a seed system that can serve Niassa well into the future. Stakeholders agreed on several priority areas that will guide the next phase of work:
- Expansion of early generation seed production through IIAM
- Accreditation and deployment of independent private seed inspectors
- Professional development and training for agrodealers
- Engaging the youth in the seed business
- Support for youth led seed cooperatives and community seed banks
- Stronger systems for traceability and certification
- Improved coordination among government, research institutions, seed companies and farmer organizations
Together, these actions signal a forward looking agenda rooted in collaboration, capacity and long term resilience.
“We are greatly encouraged by the commitments made and grateful for the support of our partners. By working together Niassa can create a seed system that delivers real opportunities for farmers. Our role is to stay the course and support this transformation every step of the way.” Noel Templer TSAN Technical lead.
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