ABSTRACT
Mozambique provides a good example of the imperative for the sustainable intensification of maize farming systems. The country has a fast-growing population (currently 28 million, up 15% since 2010) with a significant proportion of it – 64% – rural (up 11% since 2010) (FAOSTAT 2015). As of 2011, the agricultural sector contributed 30.9% of the country’s gross domestic product, with cropping being the largest sub-sector and maize being the dominant staple crop (FAO, 2013). However, actual maize productivity in the country is low by African standards, with mean production per hectare only 905 kg/ha as of 2013. By contrast, the same mean value for SSA in the same year was 1868 kg/ha (FAOSTAT, 2013). One of the most significant maize-producing regions is the Manica Province located close to the Zimbabwean border in the centre of the country. Studies have shown that land-use changes between 1990 and 2004 have led to reductions in permanent forest areas and expansion of settled/permanent production areas (Jansen et al., 2008). However, it has been argued that land availability is not the primary constraint for the province (Leonardo et al., 2015). Water is also not a major constraint on productivity, with the provincial capital city of Chimoio receiving an average of 921 mm of in-crop rainfall, that is, between October and April. Despite this, rainfall can vary widely (coefficient of variation 31%). Soils in the province are mostly red sandy loam Ferralsols (FAO system) (Maria and Yost, 2006). Despite the challenges, the Manica Province could be considered as an area of high potential for intensification, given the relatively abundant land and water, as well as the comparatively easy market access (a large provincial capital – Chimoio – two hours by highway to an international port – Beira).
