Fighting Hunger and Educating Farmers with Regenerative Agriculture in Maputo’s Green Horticultural Belt

Abstract

The chapter analyzes the social and environmental impacts of the Green Horticultural belt in Maputo, where Mozambican and Brazilian researchers jointly implemented demonstration plots and trained small-scale farmers in circular – ecologically regenerative – farming practices aimed to upgrade soil quality and ameliorate food poverty. The project also involved circular water management practices and technologies combining irrigation, rainwater collection, and the use of low-cost portable greenhouses to preserve humidity. The adoption of greenhouses with water harvesters strongly reduces water use. Sustainable farming practices also include direct planting and land rehabilitation. The chapter uses resource-constrained innovation theory to analyze factors underpinning the success of this initiative. Positive impacts on SDGs 2 and 4 are discussed, as well as the factors influencing the success and scalability of the project.