Strengthening Climate Resilience in Mozambique’s Cotton Sector

The Mozambique Climate Resilience Program (MCRP) was launched in 2016 to address climate vulnerability in Mozambique’s cotton-growing regions, where 73% of the population relies on agriculture for income. Implemented through public-private partnerships, the program focuses on water and land management, alternative livelihoods, and sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate the risks posed by climate change, droughts, and floods. Over its four-year implementation, MCRP has contributed to improving farmers’ resilience, increasing productivity, and enhancing food security through infrastructure development, farmer training, and digital knowledge-sharing tools.

Key Findings

MCRP has significantly improved water management in Mozambique’s cotton sector by developing community-based watershed structures, constructing check dams, irrigation schemes, and open wells. These interventions have expanded water availability for farming and household use, benefiting over 100,000 smallholder farmers. In total, the program created 173,493 cubic meters of additional water storage capacity, bringing 103 hectares under irrigation. The initiative has also reduced soil erosion and land degradation through trenching, bunding, and gully plug structures, reinforcing the long-term sustainability of local ecosystems.

Beyond water management, alternative livelihood opportunities were introduced to reduce farmers’ dependence on cotton alone. The program facilitated crop diversification initiatives, with farmers cultivating secondary crops such as tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and lettuce across 21.9 hectares of land. Additionally, animal husbandry programs provided goats and poultry to 663 farmers, improving food security and income diversity. To enhance agricultural productivity, MCRP delivered Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training to over 1,700 cotton farmers, ensuring they had access to improved inputs, pest management strategies, and better soil fertility management techniques.

To scale impact, the program leveraged digital innovations by developing a microlearning toolkit in collaboration with Kuza Biashara, featuring 46 training videos on climate-smart agriculture and water management. These offline-accessible learning materials enabled farmers in remote areas to access essential knowledge without requiring internet or electricity. Additionally, MCRP piloted solar-powered entrepreneurial models, equipping 24 community-based entrepreneurs with solar energy kits for mobile charging and household lighting, further supporting economic resilience in rural communities.

The Mozambique Climate Resilience Program (MCRP) has made significant strides in enhancing smallholder farmers’ ability to adapt to climate change, improving water infrastructure, promoting sustainable agriculture, and creating economic diversification opportunities. However, scaling these efforts requires continued investment in climate adaptation, extension services, and financial inclusion to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience. Strengthening local governance, expanding alternative income sources, and improving climate risk monitoring will be critical to securing Mozambique’s agricultural future.

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RESET Foundation is committed with the The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By expanding partnerships, integrating digital solutions, and investing in climate-smart interventions, Mozambique can strengthen its agricultural resilience and secure a sustainable future for rural communities. The MCRP 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.