10,000 farmers expected to improve climate resilience through new Helvetas project

On June 5, 2026, Helvetas Mozambique held a workshop in Lichinga to launch the OLIMA WoKumi – Sustainable and Healthy Production project, an initiative designed to support approximately 10,000 smallholder farmers in the provinces of Niassa and Nampula.

From the total number of beneficiaries, 40% are women, reflecting a clear commitment to inclusion and to strengthening the role of women in agriculture. The project aims to enhance the climate resilience of rural communities and improve their livelihoods.

Speaking at the event’s opening ceremony, Celestina Teófilo, representing the Governor of Niassa Province, highlighted the importance of the initiative, noting that the project comes at a particularly important time for [that] province and the country, since, “climate change is one of the greatest obstacles to rural development, directly affecting agricultural production, food security, and the incomes of farming families.” She added that “the results sought by this project will be aligned with the priorities set by the Government of Mozambique and the planning instruments of our Executive.”

For his part, Benjamin Blumenthal, Director of Helvetas Mozambique, believes that only through “strong collaboration will the project be able to achieve its objectives, overcoming existing challenges in areas such as the dissemination of climate services, the implementation of agroecology, and access to inputs adapted to local agroclimatic conditions.”

The initiative, which is expected to last four years (2026–2029), is funded by the Liechtenstein Development Service (LED) and focuses on promoting agroecology, improving access to climate services, strengthening market systems, and creating inclusive economic opportunities. The primary goal is to contribute to food security and increase household incomes.