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Rural poverty approaches, policies and strategies in Mozambique

The Government of Mozambique's poverty reduction strategy is outlined in the second National Action Plan for Reduction of Absolute Poverty, 2006-2009. This Action Plan is designed to reduce the levels of absolute poverty and promote rapid, widespread and sustainable economic growth. Its strategy is organized around three main objectives:

• promotion of good governance, with the specific aim of consolidating national unity, peace, justice, and democracy, strengthening sovereignty and international cooperation, and combating corruption, crime and excessive bureaucracy
• investing in human capital - by improving access to education, health care, drinking water and adequate sanitation - in order to promote self-esteem among Mozambicans, to increase awareness of the importance of a culture that values work, enthusiasm and honesty, and to help young people realize their potential creative and entrepreneurial abilities
• stimulating economic development by promoting rural development and creating an environment favorable to investment

Agricultural development is the main priority of the economic development objective. The government plans to implement a structural transformation of the sector, by increasing agricultural productivity, integrating agriculture into the rural sector and the rest of the economy, and helping it to become competitive in world markets.

The ongoing process of reform of the public sector builds upon the importance of community participation in development planning and increased decentralisation and devolution of authority to provinces and districts.

Source: IFAD