The Government of Mozambique has been awarded the IFAD Gender Awards 2026 by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in recognition of the results achieved in promoting gender equality and the economic empowerment of rural women through the Inclusive Development of Agrifood Value Chains Programme (PROCAVA).
The award, presented in the Eastern and Southern Africa regional category, was handed over during a ceremony held on 15 October 2026 in Rome, Italy, to mark the International Day of Rural Women, as part of the celebrations of the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
The Government of Mozambique was represented at the ceremony by Lúcia Luciano, Director-General of the Agricultural Development and Rural Extension Fund, Public Fund (FAR, FP), accompanied by PROCAVA’s Gender Specialist. The occasion marked international recognition of the country’s efforts to promote a more inclusive, sustainable and gender-responsive agricultural sector.
Mozambique is among the five countries recognised worldwide in this edition, alongside Pakistan, Mexico, Syria and Burkina Faso, whose projects were recognised for their innovative approaches and the results achieved in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of rural women.
PROCAVA promotes the economic empowerment of rural women
Photo: Ministério da Agricultura, Ambiente e Pescas
Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries (MAAP), with financial support from IFAD, PROCAVA has contributed to transforming Mozambique’s agricultural sector by strengthening agrifood value chains, improving productivity, promoting access to markets and creating economic opportunities for rural households.
According to data released by IFAD, the Programme has already reached more than 167,000 households, representing approximately one million people, with women accounting for 55% of participants.
Among the results that contributed to the award, the implementation of the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) methodology stands out. This participatory approach promotes equal opportunities for women and men by encouraging joint decision-making, shared management of household resources and women’s active participation in economic and community development processes.
Through this methodology, more than 29,000 small-scale producers have received training, contributing to stronger female participation in producer organisations, where women currently hold 42% of leadership positions.
PROCAVA has also promoted women’s access to agricultural technologies, mechanisation equipment and production infrastructure, helping to reduce physical effort, improve working conditions and increase productivity.
In the area of economic inclusion, more than 136,000 rural producers have gained access to inputs and technology packages, while approximately 32,000 people have benefited from new employment opportunities.
International recognition reinforces commitment to gender equality
The award represents international recognition of the efforts made by the Government of Mozambique, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries and the other institutions involved in implementing PROCAVA, in partnership with IFAD.
In this context, the distinction highlights the importance of integrating gender equality into agricultural development policies and programmes, promoting rural women’s access to productive resources, economic opportunities, leadership positions and decision-making forums.
The recognition therefore reinforces the Government of Mozambique’s commitment to promoting gender equality, the economic empowerment of rural women and the development of a more inclusive, competitive, resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.
Furthermore, the award provides an incentive to consolidate and expand the good practices developed by PROCAVA, with a view to extending the Programme’s benefits and ensuring that an increasing number of women and rural households actively participate in the country’s economic transformation and development.
Source: Ministério da Agricultura, Ambiente e Pescas / Press Release