RESET’s Impact & Learning Report (2020-2024)

RESET's Empowering Change - Pioneering Years of Sustainable Growth, Social Impact, and Leadership in Mozambique

RESET is proud to unveil the publication of its inaugural Impact & Learning Report (2020–2024)—a milestone document capturing the first comprehensive measurement of the initiative’s transformative contribution to rural development, sustainability, and inclusive growth in Mozambique.

We have steadfastly adhered to our purpose for 127 years, and our optimism for our business's future has never been stronger. RESET represents a transformative approach in our journey towards sustainable development and social impact amplification. This initiative is a reflection of our renewed commitment to our core values, mission, and vision, tailored to meet the Mozambican evolving local social needs and challenges of our time. It's a testament to our dedication to not just adapt but to lead in an ever-changing global landscape. At the heart of this transformation is our team, whose diverse expertise and visionary guidance are pivotal in steering our strategic direction. Their role is crucial in ensuring that our operations not only align with but also set new standards in sustainable development.

The RESET Impact Report highlights the organization’s legacy, mission, and values, showcasing its comprehensive efforts to tackle Mozambique’s economic, social, and environmental challenges. Grounded in the SDGs and ESG impact targets, RESET emphasizes its institutional framework, operational scope, and key performance indicators (KPIs). The report also explores RESET’s certifications, shared-value partnerships, and the ecosystem enabling its mission to transform rural livelihoods. Key sections illustrate the organization’s response to critical ESG and SDG challenges, its operational reach, and its collaborative efforts with stakeholders.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of RESET’s measurable impacts across environmental, social, and governance dimensions. Environmental achievements include land restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and the adoption of sustainable farming practices. Social impact initiatives focus on improving livelihoods, reducing poverty, and promoting education and gender equity. RESET’s governance initiatives underscore the organization’s commitment to sustainability through a dedicated team, robust agro-industrial infrastructure, and the integration of scientific research to drive innovation. By empowering rural communities with business skills and access to decent work opportunities, RESET fosters inclusive growth and long-term sustainability. Furthermore, its focus on stakeholder accountability, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to mitigating violence and promoting transparency solidifies RESET’s position as a transformative leader in sustainable development.

Institutional Framework

The term "RESET" is used metaphorically to represent the need for a substantial reformulation in the methods in which we live and work in line with the planet. RESET institutional framework, reflecting a global challenge, needs shared-value innovative solutions to overcome critical environmental and social obstacles in Mozambique. 

While JFS-RESET and the RESET Foundation operate independently, they share a collaborative synergy, driven by individuals dedicated to shared goals. This partnership exemplifies transparency, with no conflicts of interest, ensuring that the RESET group is open to all stakeholders,  its benefits beyond itself.

Anchored by clear governance principles, including transparency and autonomy, RESET also integrates key regulatory frameworks, such as the Mozambican cotton regulations, to guide its operations effectively. This initiative is more than an extension of RESET efforts; it is a standalone force for progress, committed to driving systemic change, supporting small producers, and setting a new benchmark in sustainable development for Mozambique and beyond.

It is a living ecosystem of institutions, people, values, and solutions working at the intersection of agro-industrial transformation, rural livelihoods, environmental regeneration, and ethical governance. Its operational reach spans nine provinces in Mozambique and touches over 200,000 individuals—primarily smallholder farmers and rural families—through long-term partnerships, not one-off interventions.

Main SDGs Challenges

The most prominent SDGs for RESET are SDG 15 - Life on Land (Environmental), SDG 1 - No Poverty (Social), and SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (Governance). Additionally, there are other secondary goals that cut across all aspects of the RESET value chain.

RESET’s Operational geographic scope

RESET’s geographic scope reflects a strategic commitment to deep-rooted, inclusive, and regenerative development across Mozambique. Operating in nine provinces—spanning the north, center, and south of the country—RESET focuses on building resilient rural ecosystems in territories historically underserved by infrastructure, investment, and public services. Its presence is particularly strong in regions marked by high multidimensional poverty, climate vulnerability, and post-conflict fragility.

The northern provinces of Nampula, Niassa, Zambézia, and Cabo Delgado form the historical and operational core of RESET’s work. These territories host the main cotton and oilseed outgrowing systems, agroforestry projects, and rural shop networks, often implemented in partnership with smallholder farmers. These regions also include some of the areas most affected by deforestation, soil degradation, and recent armed conflict—making them critical for interventions that combine environmental regeneration with economic empowerment.

RESET is also expanding its footprint in the central and southern provinces, including Manica, Sofala, Tete, Gaza, and Inhambane. In these areas, the focus includes commercial farming (such as sisal, macadamia, and lychee), integrated value chains, and solar-powered livelihood projects. Operations in Chimoio (Manica) and Cuamba (Niassa)serve as key agro-industrial hubs, while Nacala and Nampula are strategic for logistics, storage, and export.

RESET’s territorial model is multi-layered. At the local level, it partners with over 40,000 smallholder families, offering seeds, training, certification, market access, and social services. In parallel, it develops agro-industrial infrastructure—ginneries, warehouses, edible oil factories, and carbon measurement units—creating the physical backbone for circular and inclusive rural economies. Through its network of “João Agricultor” rural shops, RESET facilitates access to inputs, credit, and fair markets for thousands of remote farmers, promoting entrepreneurship and dignified livelihoods.

This place-based strategy allows RESET to implement highly contextualized yet scalable solutions. Whether in post-conflict areas like Mocímboa da Praia, in biodiversity corridors like Niassa and Zambézia, or in commercial farming zones like Manica, RESET’s model adapts to local ecological and social dynamics. At the same time, it connects all territories under a coherent national vision—one that positions rural Mozambique not as a site of poverty, but as a laboratory for regenerative development at scale.

Main RESET Challenges, Systemic solutions, and Documented impacts

Mozambique faces overlapping environmental, social, and governance challenges that hinder sustainable development—particularly in rural areas where over 70% of the population lives. Widespread soil degradation, rapid deforestation, and climate shocks like cyclones have undermined food systems and ecological resilience. At the same time, over 62% of the population lives below the poverty line, with youth unemployment, gender inequality, and limited access to services creating deep social vulnerability. Weak infrastructure, low public investment in research, and limited institutional capacity further constrain rural transformation and expose smallholder farmers to market volatility and production risks.

RESET responds to these challenges through a systemic and regenerative development model. Environmentally, it restores degraded land through agroforestry and zero-chemical farming, achieving net-negative carbon emissions in cotton production. Socially, it strengthens livelihoods via access to inputs, training, solar energy, and inclusive markets—empowering over 40,000 farmers, with women at the center of community leadership. Governance efforts include building agro-industrial infrastructure, ensuring traceability, and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships to support transparent, certified, and data-driven value chains.

Impact Stories

Rural farmers in Ruti face significant challenges that impact their livelihoods and quality of life.  Like many others, Rasul has had to navigate water scarcity, with his family traveling long distances to collect water, which affects both productivity and daily hygiene. The absence of electricity in rural areas, including Rasul’s machamba (farm), limits access to essential energy for farming and daily life, making solar panels a crucial yet costly solution for basic lighting and functionality. Rasul’s journey also underscores the vulnerability of farmers to climate conditions, as unpredictable rainfall directly impacts crop yields and financial stability.

Rasul Lurião, born in 1974, started his farming journey at a young age by helping his parents in the fields. At  20, he established his first machamba and gradually expanded it to over 35 hectares, including cotton, maize, and soybean fields. Rasul has become a role model in his community,  his determination to improve his family’s livelihood while providing opportunities for his children highlights his unwavering commitment to resilience and growth. Rasul also employs seasonal workers and ensures their well-being through fair contracts and support.

“I have children who are studying. So, they need support, such as school supplies, uniforms, notebooks, books, and even recreational activities. I use the money I earn from my work to help support my children.”

JFS-RESET, provided resources and tools that have transformed Rasul’s agricultural practices. One of the most impactful contributions was the provision of a tractor, which has significantly increased his efficiency in plowing and preparing the fields. This support has allowed Rasul to expand his machamba to 35 hectares, with cotton as the primary crop and additional fields for maize and soybeans. Additionally, JFS-RESET  facilitated access to solar panels, addressing the energy limitations in his rural area. Although not offered for free, these panels enable basic lighting and energy use, improving living conditions and productivity. Through consistent market access, JFS-RESET  buys Rasul’s cotton directly from his farm, ensuring a reliable income stream. The support has empowered Rasul to invest in infrastructure, such as storage facilities and housing, and maintain food security for his family and workers.

The main Positive Impacts on Rasul’s Life Improved:

1. Enhanced Agricultural Productivity: With access to a tractor provided by JFS-RESET, Rasul has increased efficiency in plowing and planting, enabling him to cultivate larger areas.

2. Support for Education: Income from farming supports his children’s education, covering school fees, uniforms, and materials.

3. Community Leadership: Rasul employs and supports local workers, fostering economic stability and collaboration in the community.

4. Access to Solar Energy: Solar panels, facilitated by JFS-RESET, provided lighting and basic energy needs, improving daily life on the farm.

5. Food Security and Infrastructure: Rasul built storage facilities for crops and ensures consistent food supplies for his family and workers.

Explore the RESET Impact & Learning Report (2020–2024)

We invite you to dive into the report—not just to see the numbers, but to meet the people behind the progress. You’ll discover more powerful impact stories, cutting-edge data, and a replicable model for regenerative development in fragile contexts. Whether you are a policy-maker, investor, researcher, or citizen committed to sustainability, you’ll find insight, inspiration, and evidence-base real-world solutions inside.

250513_RESET_Impact Report_total_v24.1_compressed.pdf

Download PDF • 13.49MB

RESET is committed with the The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study is linked to several SDGs:

The SDG'sG's, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.