A case study from Mozambique

INITIATIVES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL 

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT TO POLICY – MAKERS: 

A CASE STUDY FROM MOZAMBIQUE 

Paula Pimentel, Sostino Mocumbi e Marta Francisco 

Directorate of Training, Documentation and Technology Transfer (DFDTT) 

Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM), Maputo, Mozambique 

Introduction 

The agriculture sector in Mozambique plays a dominant role in fuelling the national economic 

development drive. It accounts not only for the largest share of rural employment, but also for greater 

part of food production, for the production of agricultural raw materials to sustain local industries and for 

external markets. Despite that, however, agricultural productivity is very low, largely due to the backward 

production techniques used by the small farmers that constitute the majority of the agricultural 

community (MINAG, 2007). 

The Government of Mozambique (GoM) has given high priority to the sector as the main tool for 

attaining the national goal of accelerated economic development, poverty alleviation and the sustainable 

use of natural resource base. A national program has been launched, called «The Green Revolution» 

which drives the development policies for the sector. However, for the success of these initiatives and 

development strategies, various measures have to be taken and one of these relates to streamlining and 

strengthening the national information and communication systems. 

In line with this, it is recommended to set up well coordinated and effective linkages and actions between 

the different information management systems which have been established in different institutions within 

the agricultural sector or other relevant economic sectors. 

Key Concepts and Major Propositions 

This section has the objective to present and to clarify some key concepts and briefly state some of the 

major propositions concerning the topics of this paper, which are: the importance to sharing agricultural 

knowledge, identify and describe existent information systems in Mozambique and recommend measures 

and mechanisms to improve synergies and coordination among different actors, including policy-makers. 

2 nd Africa Conference of the International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists (IAALD) – 

Africa Chapter. Paper presented at the Pre-Conference Workshop organized by FARA - RAILS Program, 

“Opening Access to Agricultural Information and Knowledge: sharing the experience of the NARS”. Ghana. 

Accra. 12 – 17 July. 2009 

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There are a number of premises to establish an effective information and communication system (AKIS). 

One of these premises is that there exists an agricultural knowledge and information system with the 

mission of improving agricultural production by generating, transferring, and using effective agricultural 

technologies. AKIS is defined as a set of agricultural organizations and/or persons, and the links and 

interactions between them, that are engaged in such processes as the generation, transformation, 

transmission, storage, retrieval, integration, diffusion and utilization of knowledge and information with 

the purpose of working synergically to support decision-making, problem solving and innovation in a 

given country´s agriculture or a domain thereof (Röling, 1990).The elements and actors of AKIS are: 

research organizations, technology transfer and advice providers, farmer´s organizations, nongovernmental 

organizations (NGO´s), farmers and policy-makers. In addition to these actors, there are 

many other stakeholders in the agricultural knowledge and information systems, including donors, who 

have interests in it and can influence direct or indirectly it. 

Another important premise is that communication is crucial in development and is often about more than 

providing information. It is about fostering social awareness and facilitating public democratic dialogue. 

It is about contributing to evidence – based policy, and about building a shared understanding which can 

lead to social change. It is about creating space for all the voices to be heard, mostly the poor, and 

ultimately about redistributing power. Better communication may also need to be accompanied by 

improving existent communication and information system, knowledge management and promotion of 

capacity building for evidence based policies (Hovland, 2005) 

A third premise that can be referred is that, for effectiveness, synergy is the mode of functioning of the 

system and linkages are crucial for synergy. Linkages are here defined as the channels for the two way 

flow of knowledge, information and resources among AKIS partners. 

Furthermore, all stakeholders and actors should recognize the need and identify clear benefits for linking 

to each others, either to disseminate and provide information and data or to obtain and to have access and 

use of appropriate information. The willingness of an organization to invest in linkages with other 

organizations in an information and communication platform, may also be a function of the degree of its 

awareness (Eponou, 1996). 

To sustain linkages it is advisable that structural and managerial devices or procedures are used, 

coordination mechanisms identified and established, and this may commonly be referred as linkage 

mechanisms. Research institutions may also develop and implement specific linkage policy. 

In Mozambique the present status of the agriculture and natural resources information systems shows that 

there is a number of institutions, programs and initiatives that individually or collectively collate, analyze, 

store and disseminate diverse data and information on the agricultural sector of the country. However, it 

has been recognized that, key stakeholders and decision-makers, in the country, still lack access to 

relevant information. There is a need to establish coordination mechanism to harmonize diverse databases 

and information systems and resources. 




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The next section briefly describes some of the food, agriculture and natural resources information systems 

or related databases in Mozambique and initiatives to strengthen its relevance to policy development and 

decision making. 

Information Management Initiatives: Mozambique´s present situation 

In Mozambique food, agriculture and natural resources (FANR) management plays an important role in 

driving country´s economic growth and the Government has given high priority to the development of 

coordinated and comprehensive FANR development strategies. While most of the Ministries play a role 

for the agricultural development in the country, the main Ministries responsible for FANR are the 

Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Planning and Rural Development, Ministry of Health and Ministry of 

Tourism. Important activities related to FANR are also implemented by the Ministry of Environment, 

Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Science and Technology, among others. 

There are several database and information management systems in some of these ministries, principally 

in the Ministry of Agriculture. However, there is no an integrated national system for agricultural 

information management. 

The following are the most important and well known information and data sources in Mozambique: 

1. Remote Sensing Database System and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 

Different institutions use the remote sensing system to collect data and satellite images to develop and 

provide information to different users. Information is provided in different formats as maps, web pages, 

reports, electronically and provide information on climate, vegetation and other land cover features. 

CENACARTA (www.cenacarta.com): The National Remote Sensing and Cartography Centre 

(CENACARTA) was created by the Council of Ministers on December 27th, 1990, as an Autonomous 

State Company under the Ministry of Agriculture, for the coordination of remote sensing activities in 

Mozambique. The status and functions of CENACARTA were revised in September 2004 (decree nº 

48/2004), and new responsibilities were added in the areas of geodesy, photogrammetry, cartography, 

aerial photography and political geography. The functions and mandate of CENACARTA are as follows: 

• To be a national archive of Satellite images, in the country; 

• To disseminate the importance and use of Remote Sensing (RS) and GIS techniques among 

potential users and beneficiaries; 

• To organize training sessions in RS and GIS; 

• To perform the necessary geometric correction to satellite images to be distributed to the users; 

• Coordination and execution of activities in the domains of the cartography, geodesy, remote 

sensing, 

• Photogrammetry and aerial photography; 

• Production, updating and maintenance of geocartographical information related to Mozambique; 

• Acquisition and processing of satellite imagery requested by the users; 




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• Organization, maintenance and updating of georeferenced databases; 

• Studies and technical consultancy in its domain of competence for public and private entities; 

• Technical and scientific research to improve methodologies and technologies the be used 

internally; 

• Maintenance and updating of the national geodetic network; 

• Production of aerial photography and mosaics, ortophotomaps, thematic and topographical maps, 

and other special maps in the appropriated scales; 

FEWS NET: the Famine Early Warning Systems Network is a USAID-funded activity that 

collaborates with international, regional and national partners to provide timely and rigorous 

early warning and vulnerability information on emerging and evolving food security issues. The 

following are the main activities and outputs of the FEWS NET, worldwide and in Mozambique: 

• monitor and analyze relevant data and information in terms of its impacts on livelihoods 

and markets to identify potential threats to food security; 

• a suite of communications and decision support products to help decision makers act to 

mitigate food insecurity; 

• monthly food security updates for 25 countries, regular food security outlooks, and 

alerts, as well as briefings and support to contingency and response planning efforts; 

• also focuses its efforts on strengthening early warning and food security networks, 

including developing capacity, building and strengthening networks, developing policyuseful 

information, and building consensus around food security problems and solutions; 

• the FEWS NET web site (www.fews.net) is the activity’s primary global vehicle for 

disseminating information. Regional and national monthly food security updates appear 

on the site along with other information and technical materials; 

• vulnerability and food security assessments using a livelihoods approach; 

• food security alerts, updates and briefings provide in-country decision-makers, USAID, 

United Nations, NGOs and other donors with the latest information on potential food 

security threats; 

• remotely-sensed and ground-based early warning data that are collected, analyzed and 

disseminated on an ongoing basis; 

• capacity strengthening through technical assistance to national and regional early 

warning systems. Areas of assistance include early warning techniques and tools, food 

security and vulnerability assessment methods, and contingency and response planning; 

• FEWS NET collaborates with agencies at the international (FAO, WFP, and EU), 

regional (SADC, CILSS, IGAD, Drought Monitoring Center), and national levels to 

improve early warning and vulnerability analysis methodologies. 

In Mozambique FEWS NET collaborates in close networks with the Technical Secretariat for Food 

Security and Nutrition (SETSAN), the Agriculture Market Information System (SIMA) and the 

Mozambique National Early Warning System for Food Security (Sistema de Aviso Prévio). There is a 

very close linkage and collaboration with national institutions like the National Institute of Meteorology 

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Accra. 12 – 17 July. 2009

and the National Institute for Management of Natural Disasters (INGC). Data and information provided 

by FEWS NET on Mozambique food security status, market prices and agricultural products and 

production is very up dated and is a good example of synergies created among different agricultural and 

information management systems, avoiding duplication of efforts and providing different levels of 

audiences. 

National Institute of Meteorology (INAM): provides data and information on main climate factors and 

conditions. Information is available by different means of dissemination like TV, newspapers, reports, 

web page, and analyzed and used to provide a number of alerts, updates and briefings to influence and 

help develop appropriate strategies and policies to sustain agricultural production and prevent food 

insecurity. 

2. National Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis Information Systems 

The Government of Mozambique gives particular attention and high priority to the development, 

implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national strategies, programs and mechanisms to 

reduce livelihood vulnerability, food insecurity and poverty reduction. 

SETSAN: the Technical Secretariat for Food Security and Nutrition is an inter-sectorial organ 

that was created to enhance national food security and nutrition policies formulation, development 

programs and emergency interventions. The SETSAN is inspired in FIVMS framework to define food 

security and nutrition concept. The FIVMS framework permits to establish an integrated view of food 

security and nutrition and helps to visualize the different interlinks of the food chain component that will 

define the food security situation. SETSAN conducts, together with a number of local government 

officers, extension agents and NGOs, food security, poverty and nutritional assessments. SETSAN also 

collaborates and is often supported in its activities by partners such as the World Food Program (WFP) 

and FAO. 

There is a close linkage and a memorandum of understanding was signed between the SETSAN and the 

Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM). Collaboration between the two institutions 

include joint teams for training activities on food security and nutrition for extension agents and local 

government officers, dissemination of good agricultural practices to increase productivity, post harvest 

improved techniques and access and use of diverse agricultural products, improved seeds and crop 

varieties. 

SETSAN dissemination and communication materials and products include: a web page 

(www.setsan.org.mz), Newsletter, SETSAN Baseline Annual Report, SETSAN Info Flash and 

Bulletin. 

National Early Warning System for Food Security: called Sistema de Aviso Prévio, this is a Ministry 

of Agriculture information system (IS) that aims at providing information on annual crop season through 

monitoring and evaluation of crop management activities during the crop season, estimates of crop 

harvest yields, identification of pests and crop losses due to sanitary and climate factors, meteorological 

data in agricultural research stations, among other relevant agricultural data. Several studies and surveys 




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are conducted together with NARS and Extension services, NGOs and local agricultural officers. This 

information system allows for policy makers to make decisions related to input supply, demand for seeds, 

development and implementation of appropriate measures to control pests and diseases and to prevent 

crop losses and food insecurity. The basic unit for data collection is the district. Information is available 

through Annual Reports or specific reports that are used by the Department for Agricultural Policy and 

Studies. 

3. Market and Seed Information Systems 

Agricultural inputs supply and market development initiatives have been greatly supported by 

the Ministry of Agriculture aiming at enhancing the success of the Green Revolution in 

Mozambique. A very dynamic and well known information and communication system has been 

established called: 

SIMA: The Agriculture Market Information System (Sistema de Informação de Mercados 

Agricolas=SIMA) is responsible to provide data on agricultural prices of the main crops cultivated in the 

country, input supply and seed availability. Information on production and demand estimates is also 

provided. The system is supported by up dating studies conducted by NARS and Policy Units of the 

Ministry of Agriculture, on market dynamics of the main agricultural products, at both national and 

regional level. Means of dissemination comprises of a monthly Bulletin Quente-Quente, community radio 

broadcasting and there is also access through mobile cell phones. Access and use has been proved to be 

widely spread at community level. 

4. Metadata and Information Systems 

Metadata brings advantages regarding the meaning of the information, its contents and format. It allows 

coherence in information sharing, improves quality of service and ensures that data is re-usable thus 

avoiding duplication. While some sectors may conduct their own field surveys (in Mozambique the 

Ministry of Agriculture is an example of this, with it’s TIA and the National Livestock Census) to obtain 

Crop and animal production statistics, socio-economic data, etc, there is a national/central repository for 

all statistical information called INE. Thus some standards of information sharing have to be adopted and 

agreed upon and exchange and stored formats among different systems have to be designed and planned. 

Trabalho de Inquérito Agricola (TIA) this is a framework to organize, harmonize and synchronize data 

collections in crop, and livestock and natural resources for analysis and policy making. Its aims are to 

facilitate data use by policy makers and researchers, provide statistical standards, data exchange tools and 

related methods and to build a national capacity to plan, design, conduct, input and analyze statistical data 

on agricultural parameters. Information and data from TIA brings the official estimates and figures for the 

agricultural sector socio-economic information. It is also included and harmonized with the National Stats 

Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) which is the official entity to publish statistical data on 

social, demographic and economic indicators of the country. Dissemination of information from TIA and 

from INE are via internet, CDs, brochures and printed publications, as well as Annual reports. 

IIAM, the largest research organization in the country, develops its research agenda and priority setting 

often based on the information provided by TIA. 

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Accra. 12 – 17 July. 2009

5. Enabling Policies and Technologies for Information and Communication Systems 

While the basic ICT indicators for Mozambique has been said to be worse than most of African 

countries, considerable progress has been made over the past decade, particularly in mobile 

phone usage and in the use of PCs. Internet usage has been growing, however the numbers for 

infrastructures and users remain relatively small, even when compared to African averages. The 

first ICT survey conducted in 2000 with 732 companies indicated that most ICT activity and 

business was based in Maputo and that computers are still perceived as luxury items that are not 

affordable. 

The National Informatic Policy : was approved in 2000 and its implementation is supported by 

a technical Unit for the Implementation of the Informatics Policy, which had a government 

funded budget of US$740 000 in 2002. A key project of the Informatic Policy to enhance the 

Mozambique’s information and communications technology development strategy is the 

Government Electronic Network (GovNet) which aims to improve public services and increase 

transparency in the public sector. The Gov net aim sat establish an unified e-mail system, 

intranet, and document management system, as well cost effective shared access to the internet 

among public institutions. 

Community Multimedia Centers (CMC’s): the many potential roles of ICTs for development 

are globally recognized, with many international development organizations promoting universal 

access to telecommunications as an integral part of their activities. The Mozambique’s Ministry 

of Science and Technology has established a number of multimedia centers at a district level 

nation wide. Through the CMC’s, rural communities have access and are trained in the use of 

modern ICT’s. The centers have computers, internet, radio, TV, library and a TV is also placed 

in a public view position (www.mct.gov.mz) . 

The centers offers opportunities not only for the local user’s to have access to information they 

may need, but also brings additional means for NARS and extension advisory services, to 

disseminate information and improve communication with rural communities and farmers. 

MORENET: This is an initiative that aims at establishing effective and efficient connectivity 

systems among Universities and Research Institutions. Morenet provides technological solutions 

that will enable the science, technology and innovation system in Mozambique, particularly the 

Universities and the research institutes to link to each others both at a national as an international 

level. Morenet is still in its inception phase but is a promising mechanism to improve the present 

situation for information and knowledge sharing among research institutions. 

Virtual Museums for Agricultural Products 

This is an initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MS&T), aiming at providing information 

on different agricultural products with economic relevance. 




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The MS&T has launched the first two crop’s museums namely: the Cashew nut Museum and the Sugar 

Cane Museum (http://www.mct.gov.mz). The portal presents useful information for agricultural 

students, teachers, private sector in the market of cashew nuts and sugar, NGO’s, farmer’s associations, 

and aims to provide in near future a platform for interaction among the stakeholders of these sub-sectors. 

6. Information and Communication Systems for Technology Transfer and Advisory Services 

for farmers 

The Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM) and the National Directorate for Agricultural 

Extension (DNEA) both institutions of the Ministry of Agriculture, are the main institutions in 

Mozambique responsible for generating, packaging, and disseminate information on improved 

agricultural technologies, services and products to enhance farmers productivity and access to markets. 

However improvements should be done to develop information contents and information systems that are 

tailored to farmers and other stakeholders needs. 

While both Institutions recognize the need for better linkages and synergies and specific actions are 

identified in the respective strategic plans, In order to avoid duplication of efforts and overlapping of 

activities adequate capacity should be developed at institutional and individual level, for implementation, 

coordination and facilitation of information and communication strategies. 

Presently, both institutions have in their organizational structures Information, Documentation 

and Communication Units, with very similar functions and mandate. Both institutions lack 

adequate equipment (ICT infrastructure) and human resources capacity to deliver the expected 

results. Staff is overloaded and lack the adequate training and skills to develop, planning and 

implement efficient and effective information management systems. 

Despite these difficulties, relevant information regarding improved agricultural practices / technologies 

have been disseminated by both IIAM and DNEA and DNEA have a significant geographical coverage in 

the country. 

IIAM and DNEA means for dissemination includes the IIAM web page (www.iiam.gov.mz), Manuals, 

Technical Brochures, Newspapers and Press Releases, the use of TV and Radio for technical advise, and 

the production of several electronic and audio-visual material (Videos, CDs, DVDs). 

There is a high pressure from policy makers and other stakeholders for IIAM to establish a clear and 

efficient communication strategy. However, it is also recommended that the strategy should have an 

approach that recognizes and promote the creation of national, regional and international networks to 

improve the present status of agricultural information and communication management. There is an 

urgent need to identify and connect the relevant stakeholders of the AKIS, to conduct information needs 

assessment and to develop the necessary capacity for responsiveness. It is important to establish formal 

mechanisms to enable appropriate linkages between the IIAM (NARS) and the other information systems, 

to foster knowledge and resource sharing. While IIAM plays an important role in providing information 

for different information systems in the ministry of agriculture, it is not captured as such and its role in 

influencing policies and facilitating agricultural development is very often, not acknowledged. 




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Matching National Initiatives with Regional Programs – ongoing activities 

AIMS – ICART: agricultural information and communication managers/specialists from different 

institutions under the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Science and Technology and of the National 

Institute of Meteorology have attended a number of regional training and capacity building events 

promoted by ICART, including the participation of two IIAM researchers in the Consultative Workshop 

on Further development of the SADC-AIMS in June 2008. During the workshop the country team 

presented some key issues to be addressed by AIMS and ICART in its support to the development and 

strengthening of national information management in Mozambique namely: the national team should 

identify relevant and key stakeholders and establish a national network, identify and develop the relevant 

partnerships and promote its formal establishment, identify a lead institution, conduct an assessment o/ 

situation analysis, identify already successful networks and their modus operandi, mobilize resources and 

the better use of the existing ones and develop a quality assurance of information. 

RAILS: On-going activities include quotations obtained for the acquisition of ICT equipment and for 

Internet access by the national focal point at the Ministry of Science and Technology. It was agreed that a 

national committee should be created for the promotion and support of RAILS activities and a clear 

strategy for information sharing should be developed among the relevant stakeholders. This should not 

only target the national networks but also the regional and international arena. Synergies should be 

established as from the beginning of their implementation with other regional programs aiming at creating 

national capacities like the DONATA and Aims / ICART. 

LIMS: after participating in a training course during 2008, several animal health and production officers 

are sending information about animal health status and disease surveillance in the country. This 

information is stored and than sent from a central unit were a focal point was identified. LIMS still lacks 

the capacity to captures other relevant information regarding animal production and the socio-economic 

indicators and role of livestock, at a community level. 

Conclusions and the Way Forward 

Mozambique owns a rich and diverse agricultural information systems that supports important decision 

making processes. However, there is no central database in the country. Relevant Departments have their 

own databases and information systems, information being available through different communication 

tools. Departments belong mainly to public and government institutions. Main users are decision makers, 

researchers and the offices responsible for project planning and implementation in the agricultural sector. 




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The most important constraints in the country information and knowledge management, relates to lack of 

articulated and coordinated activities, lack of leadership and need for clear identification of all 

stakeholders relevant to the AKIS as well as information quality assurance mechanisms. 

There is a high demand for agricultural information at a national, regional and international level, thus a 

need for and integrated information systems and knowledge sharing, that will avoid duplication of efforts 

and information collection. Clear mechanism for collaboration among institutions and programs, should 

therefore, be identified and implemented. 

It would be recommendable that a framework to support this approach should be developed and shared 

among countries. 

The implementation of decisions made during the process of regional programs implementation, and the 

success on the implementation of information and communication policies and strategies need adequate 

funding and capacity, ICT infrastructure as well as a common understanding of concepts and standards. 

Monitoring and evaluation progress towards identified out puts is required at different levels of 

implementation. 




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References 

Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique Strategic Plan, 2009 – 2018. IIAM. 2008. Maputo. 

Mozambique. 

Eponou, T. 1996. Partners in Technology Generation and Transfer: Linkages between Research and 

Farmer´s Organizations in Three Selected African Countries. ISNSAR Research Report Nº 9. The Hague: 

International Service for national Agricultural Research 

Hovland, I. 2005. Successful Communication. A Toolkit for researchers and Civil Society Organizations. 

Research and Policy Development Programme. London. UK. 

Hinkkanen,J. 2009. Rede the Ensino Superior e Pesquisa em Moçambique: MORENET. Launching 

Workshop. Maputo. Moçambique. 

Röling, N. 1990. The Agricultural Research-Technology Transfer Interface: A Knowledge Systems 

perspective. In Making the Links: Agricultural Technology Transfer in Developing Countries , edited by 

D. Kamowitz. The Hague: International Service for National Agricultural Research. 

Strategy for the Green Revolution in Mozambique. Ministry of Agriculture (MINAG). 2007. Maputo. 

Mozambique 

Uaiene, R. 2009. Analysis of the Agricultural technologies and Dissemination Situation in Mozambique. 

SADC Multi-Country Agricultural Productivity Program. FANR Directorate. SADC. Unpublished 

Report. 




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A case study from Mozambique

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