Area 4 to Support Community Agricultural Projects

• Different farming techniques can improve yield and diversify crops to improve nutrition and availability of produce to sell
• Projects represent Area 4 partners’ commitment to development of agriculture value chain and access to markets in Palma

The project is working with local farmers in Palma Sede to build horticulture tunnels and provide supplies for drip irrigation systems which will produce a wider range of produce for local markets, with less reliance on varying weather conditions. This diversification of produce will contribute to improving the quality of diet and nutrition for local families. The project will work with the garden club of the Palma District Secondary School to encourage young people’s participation in the agriculture sector.

“We are committed to supporting Mozambique’s community development and economic diversification plans,” said Jos Evens, General Manager for ExxonMobil Moçambique, Limitada. “Agriculture is a particular focus for the Mozambican government as people move from subsistence farming to a commercial agricultural model that builds a long-term value chain.”

A second project in Senga is focused on teaching the techniques of honey production. A local carpenter will be trained to build beehives for 40 farmers which will enable them to produce honey for consumption or for sale at local markets. The project will equip and train a local entrepreneur to purify the honey and to act as an aggregator to sell larger quantities of high-quality honey to larger markets and stores.

“Honey production does not require land clearance and therefore provides a method of income generation while conserving valuable forestry resources,” said Evens. “As the LNG projects progress, there will be increasing requirements for local catering services, hotels, apartments and residents, all of which will provide a market for local farmers’ produce. We will work with communities to improve their farming techniques which will improve the quality, diversity, and reliability of their crops.”

“Mozambique is a land of unrealized potential. With more than 36 million hectares of arable land and over 15 million people engaged in agriculture, it could feed millions. But farming in Mozambique is labour-intensive, and farmers lack both the knowledge and climate appropriate technologies needed to enhance production,” said Stefano Gasparini, Mozambique Country Director for implementing partner iDE. “A radical change is necessary to reverse Mozambique’s history of low farm productivity and we are committed to supporting communities in realizing that change by fostering strong market linkages.”

About Rovuma LNG

Rovuma LNG is a world-class development that will help deliver reliable, affordable energy to customers and create long-term economic value for project partners and the people of Mozambique. The project includes construction of two natural gas liquefaction trains, with a total LNG nameplate capacity of 15.2 million tonnes annually, and associated onshore facilities.
ExxonMobil is leading the construction and operation of the onshore component of Rovuma LNG on behalf of the Area 4 partners. Area 4 is operated by Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A. (MRV), an incorporated joint venture owned by Eni, ExxonMobil and CNPC, which holds a 70 percent interest in the Area 4 exploration and production concession contract. In addition to MRV, Galp, KOGAS and Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos E.P. each hold a 10 percent interest in Area 4.

About IDE

For 38 years iDE has helped smallholder farmers in Asia, Africa, and Central America increase their productivity and income by creating a lasting market infrastructure to serve their needs. To date iDE has helped more than 30 million people navigate their way out of poverty through agriculture, sanitation and finance initiatives. iDE is partnering with ExxonMobil in their Access to Markets program to effectively implement community development support, working closely with District Services for Economic Activities (SDAE) to transfer technical know-how, ensuring the sustainability of the pilot project.