Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e

MOZAMBIQUE extends nearly 2,500 km along the southeastern coast of Africa, with an area
of 802,000 km 2 . Much of this consists of wide coastal plains, rising to low inland plateaus.
Agriculture occupies more than three-fourths of the workforce of the population of 19.3 million
(1999). Arable land is less than 5% of the total. Agriculture makes up 34% of the GDP.
General information
• GNI per capita PPP$, 2000: 800
• Internal renewable water resources: 100 km 3
• Incoming water flow: 116 km 3
• Main food consumed: roots and tubers,
maize, oil and fat, millet and sorghum, rice
• Rice consumption, 1999: 7.5 kg milled rice
per person per year
Production constraints
The major constraints to sustainable rice production
in Mozambique are
• Drought and flash flood in rainfed lowland
areas because of irregular weather
• Salinity in many irrigated areas
• Poor maintenance of irrigation facilities
• Lack of pure and good seeds
• Inadequate and irregular input supplies:
seeds, fertilizer, and credit
• Lack of small farm equipment
• Lack of effective farmers’ organizations and
cooperatives
• Poor road networks and marketing systems
• Lack of a well-defined rice policy
• Weak research and extension support
Production season
Planting Harvesting
Main season Nov-Jan May-Jun
196 Rice almanac