Impacts of Access to Rural Credit as a Means of Acquisition of Improved Production Technologies in the South Area of Mozambique: An Analysis Based on the 2012-2020 Agricultural Censes.

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to address the impacts of access to rural credit on the acquisition of improved agricultural production technologies by small and medium-sized farms in the provinces of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane in southern Mozambique. The analysis was based on statistical data from the 2012-2014 statistical year book and the 2020 integrated agricultural survey of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of Mozambique. In order to achieve this objective, the different data from the aforementioned instruments were compiled, organized and cross-referenced for the variables access to agricultural credit and different agricultural production technologies, namely pesticides, fertilizers and irrigation. From the results it was found that in the period 2012-2020 the levels of exclusion and access of small and medium rural producers remain steady, as since 2012 less than 10% of these producers had access to these services. By the way, access to improved agricultural technologies by these producers also remains insignificant. Thus, it is essential to increase public policies that encourage the financial sector in the allocation of rural credit to improve the levels of technological application in rural production in these 3 provinces.