Determining Factors Influencing Low Cereals Production in Central Region of Mozambique

Abstract

Mozambique though it has good soils and good climate for agriculture, the country’s population still experience hunger and starvation. The problem addressed in this article is that of low cereal production in Central Region of Mozambique. There is a persistent low level production of cereal causing starvation, despite favourable climatic conditions and good breeding ground for the production of cereals. The purpose of this article was to investigate the main factors that cause the low production of cereals in the central region of Mozambique so as to find solutions to the problem. The study was undertaken from 2010 to 2013 and used the paradigm of qualitative research. Data were generated using interviews, field observation, document analysis, questionnaires and focus group discussion Data were analyzed using content analysis. The study found out that cereal production in the central region of Mozambique is very low due to interrelated factors that include lack of new or modern cultivation techniques such as irrigation, use of high yielding varieties of seeds and use of mechanical power for planting cereals on a large scale. Therefore these are considered as determinants of cereal high production. Thus, it can be concluded that the production of cereals in central region of Mozambique is low due to lack of use of new technologies, lack of quality seeds, lack of funding for this sector by government and under-utilization of mechanical resources as most of the works are done manually.