Revealing Complexities : Subsistence Sector Animal Farming, Animal Advocacy and Gender Analysis: Chances for Development in Northern Mozambique?

Abstract: In Mozambique, 80 per cent of the people rely on farming for their livelihood. The majority of them are small-scale and subsistence farmers. In spite of high GDP and agricultural growth rates, the majority of Mozambicans in rural areas remain below the poverty line.  Even though many subsistence farmers in Ribáuè District own animals, programmes and policies for development are aimed at commercialization in medium- and large-scale sector animal farming. We found a lack of attention given to family sector animal breeding as a development factor in Ribáuè. Over the course of five weeks, we engaged in an ethnographically inspired, qualitative field study in Ribáuè District, the city of Nampula and the capital Maputo. Our gender and animal advocacy viewpoints allowed us to look at development as a holistic concept and determine effects beyond the immediately visible. Applying the Sustainable Rural Livelihoods approach, we identified a serious threat to the farmers’ livelihoods both in the short- and long-term, which we believe needs to receive much greater attention in policy-making. We found that animal breeding fulfils diverse functions, such as diversification of assets and diet, and generating and increasing resilience. It is crucial as mid-term investment and as a live bank. However, it is hugely insecure in all of these functions due to recurring shocks. Animal health issues are a major limitation for farmers. Therefore, animal breeding has little development scope for subsistence farmers at the moment, and is further diminished by commercialization plans for a minority of farmers, which overlook the complexity of the farming system and may negatively impact regional markets.  Development through intensive animal breeding reflects a dangerous short-term thinking. Sustainability and an important livelihood strategy for many are sacrificed for economic development of a few while exploitative systems are reproduced.