EVALUATION OF THE IMPACTS OF PUBLIC RURAL EXTENSION SERVICES ON SMALL AND MEDIUM AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS IN THE SOUTH OF MOZAMBIQUE BETWEEN 2012 AND 2020

Abstract

The main focus of this article is to analyze the evolution of access to rural extension services between 2012 and 2020 by small and medium-sized farms in the 3 provinces of southern Mozambique in particular and the country in general, taking as a basis for analysis and comparison of statistical data provided by the 2012-2014 statistical yearbook and the 2020 integrated agrarian survey, both from the Ministry of Agriculture of Mozambique. Thus, it was found that from 2012 to 2020, there has been a sharp drop in access to rural extension services by small and medium-sized farms in the south of the country in particular and the country in general. While in 2014 less than 9% of small and medium-sized farms had access to these services, in 2020 less than 7% of these farmers were covered by these services. These data demonstrate a series of challenges and constraints faced by the sector, among them the weak budget, the low number of extension workers, the problem of transport and communication infrastructures.