AGRA is a not-for-profit organization working with African governments, other donors, NGOs, the private sector, and farmers to improve the productivity and incomes of resource-poor smallholder farmers in Africa. AGRA aims to catalyze an inclusive agricultural transformation in Africa by increasing incomes and improving food security for millions of smallholder farmers. For more information about AGRA, please visit www.agra.org.

Working with African governments, the private sector, civil society institutions, and development partners in the African agricultural landscape, AGRA is committed to catalyzing the agricultural transformation needed to improve food systems in the continent. This will accelerate the achievement of the Malabo Declaration commitments and related indicators from the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), the Sustainable Development Goals, and Africa’s Agenda 2063.

Agriculture is a vital pillar of Mozambique’s economy, with around 80% of the population depending on it for their livelihoods. Despite having 36 million hectares of arable land, with 29.2 million hectares suitable for irrigation (PEDSA, 2023), only 148,000 hectares are equipped with irrigation infrastructure. This underutilization is compounded by extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and cyclones, which frequently damage infrastructure, alongside limited resources for smallholder farmers to manage and maintain the systems effectively.

Low agricultural productivity within irrigated areas is further affected by limited access to essential inputs, such as machinery, fertilizers, improved seeds, and pesticides. These challenges, coupled with the impacts of climate change and a lack of technological expertise, threaten the long-term sustainability of irrigation schemes, reducing production volumes and exacerbating food insecurity. A 2023 national survey revealed that only half of the developed irrigated land is fully utilized, limiting farmers’ income and increasing vulnerability.

Mozambique’s growing population, expanding at 4% annually in urban areas and 2.5% in rural regions, intensifies pressure on food supply. Efficient irrigation management is essential to maximize land productivity and meet the country’s rising demand for food. In response, the government introduced four management models through Resolution No. 10/2010 for state-built irrigation systems:

However, the existing legal framework for PPPs (Law 15/2011) lacks detailed guidelines for small-scale irrigation schemes involving smallholder farmers. This lack of clarity in stakeholder roles and responsibilities creates barriers to effective PPP implementation, preventing small producers from benefiting from private sector investment and expertise. Bridging this gap is critical to scaling up sustainable irrigation practices.

The National Irrigation Institute, Public Institute (INIR, IP), under the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, and Fisheries, is responsible for coordinating public irrigation infrastructure management and establishing PPPs. INIR aims to set clear national standards for PPPs, including mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation, and sanctions for non-compliance. By strengthening regulatory oversight and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, Mozambique can unlock the full potential of its irrigated land, boost agricultural productivity, and enhance national food security

This assignment aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis and review of current public irrigation scheme management methods in Mozambique. It will then develop draft regulations to establish guideline mechanisms for the sustainable exploitation of these schemes through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

The goal is to provide evidence-based recommendations for efficient and sustainable irrigation scheme use and management and draft specific regulations, including the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders. This is expected to facilitate increased land use by farmers, promote commercial farming, and attract more excellent youth and women’s involvement in Mozambique’s food systems. Ultimately, these efforts will contribute to sustainable development and economic growth.

This study will cover the following activities:

a. Conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of the current irrigation situation in Mozambique and its management practices in different irrigation schemes (powered by electricity and a natural waterfall).

b. Carry out interviews with government entities (at District, Provincial and National levels), smallholder farmers and the private sector to assess their willingness to use the irrigation schemes as well as the role they should play to guarantee infrastructure sustainability;

c. Conduct a feasibility study analysis to determine the intercropping mechanisms within the irrigation schemes;

d. Identify existent challenges and opportunities within the irrigation schemes;

e. Identify and map key stakeholders

f. Analyze how smallholder farmers within the irrigation schemes benefit from tax exemptions (water and electricity)

g. Identify, review and analyze different PPP models applicable to irrigation scheme management based on national and international experiences

h. Provide comprehensive and evidence-based recommendations to guide the operation of irrigation scheme infrastructures, considering the different PPP scenarios;

i. Define mechanisms for establishing different PPPs in irrigation scheme infrastructures.

j. Develop financial models for PPP with funding options, investment strategies and revenue generation

k. Define guidelines to monitor progress, resolve conflicts in different PPPs, and ensure their alignment with national legislation.

l. Design PPP framework for managing and operating irrigation schemes, targeting youth and women including roles, accountability mechanisms and risks

m. Create a roadmap for implementation.

Requirements for the qualifications, expertise, and experience of the consultant.

iii. Consultant’s understanding of the assignment

iv. Relevant experience in the region

• Fluency in English and Portuguese is required

AGRA works to achieve a food secure and prosperous Africa through the promotion of rapid, sustainable agricultural growth based on smallholder farmers. Smallholders--the majority women--produce most of Africa's food, and do so with minimal resources and little government support. AGRA aims to ensure that smallholders have what they need to succeed: good seeds and healthy soils; access to markets, information, financing, storage and transport; and policies that provide them with comprehensive support. Through developing Africa's high-potential breadbasket areas, while also boosting farm productivity across more challenging environments, AGRA works to transform smallholder agriculture into a highly productive, efficient, sustainable and competitive system, and do so while protecting the environment.