IGM Annual Conference 2023 gains interest in local media

‘The Government of Mozambique advocates for adding more value to agricultural production. Agricultural production should increase its contribution to the national economy.’ These were the key messages echoed by the Mozambican media when covering the IGM Annual Conference 2023.

These were also the key messages of H.E. Vice Minister of Economy and Finance, Amilcar Tivane, during his opening remarks at the Inclusive growth in Mozambique (IGM) event.

‘In comparison with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Mozambique has an unsatisfactory performance in terms of value added per capita, value added per hectare, and productivity. It [adding value to agricultural production] is therefore an important challenge, and there is a need to analyse the sector in depth,’ Agência de Informação de Moçambique (AIM) reported the Vice-Minister as saying. The Vice Minister highlighted that the IGM Annual Conference would be an opportunity to reflect on the different challenges and policy options within a sector which, in his opinion, is key in combatting poverty and in safeguarding food security, environmental safety, and income generation, in particular among smallholder farmers. 

Another person quoted by news outlets was H.E. Alain Gaschen, Ambassador of Switzerland. During his intervention, the representative of the IGM donors emphasized the importance of dialogue between the government, universities, and non-governmental actors as a way to promote more and better adoption of evidence-based policies and practices that support inclusive growth. ´For there to be structural transformation of the agricultural sector, it is fundamental for the government and private sector to lead with concrete actions that will allow international partners to contribute more effectively,´ Diário Económico quoted him as saying. 

Various media outlets also highlighted the adverse effects of climate change on the sector, and some went as far as raising it as the main challenge to growth in the sector given that approximately 70% of the country’s population is dependent on subsistence agriculture.

The IGM Annual Conference 2023 was held in a hybrid mode on 8 November 2023 at Hotel Avenida in Maputo, Mozambique. Entitled ‘Agricultural development in Mozambique: trends, challenges and opportunities’, the event gathered a wide audience representing local and international academics, policymakers, development practitioners, the local private sector and civil society. The event was covered by various local media outlets, including MZNews, Diário Económico, Agência de Informação de Moçambique, RAM TV, and TV Gloria, and it featured on the website of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.