The impact of development schemes on the income and food security of small-scale farmers in Mozambique producers in Mozambique (in Portuguese)

Development contracts have been at the center of policymakers' attention as an alternative for correcting market failures. However, the debate about their real benefits and the circumstances in which they can be achieved seems to be far from a consensus. This study aimed to analyze the contribution of promotion schemes to the income and food security of small farmers in Mozambique, using a systematic literature review protocol. 

The studies suggest that development schemes have the potential to increase the income of small farmers, but the nature of the contract and the actors involved determine the results of the development schemes. What's more, the results show that there are positive selection trends between integrators and farmers, which exacerbates the difficulty of estimating the net effect of participation in contracts. With regard to food security, there are few studies that analyze its relationship with promotion schemes and the few that are available do not allow us to draw important conclusions. Research that adopts appropriate methodologies could provide more details on the mechanisms for implementing promotion schemes in a cost-effective way for all parties involved.

Download CEEG Working Paper 2024/03 here