Abstract:
In Mozambique, the low level of adoption of new agricultural technologies is one of the main causes of low agricultural productivity and widespread poverty. Although the dissemination of technologies is marked by the main strategic planning instruments, the level of adoption remains low. The present study aimed to analyze the contribution of the Local Investment Fund (FIL) in the adoption of agricultural technologies in Boane. The realization of this study was fundamentally based on the combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. The main instruments and techniques for collecting data used were semi-structured interviews with key informants, simple observations and surveys applied to FIL's “beneficiary” and “non-beneficiary” households. The results of this study showed that access to FIL is conditioned not only by regulation but also by the institutional environment and individual capacity to meet FIL's obligations. On the other hand, the reimbursement rate is quite low and, except for the cases of some beneficiaries whose projects failed due mainly to the dishonesty of input suppliers, the theoretical evidence that access to FIL could contribute to the increase in agricultural technologies is actually happening . The study confirmed the hypotheses that households that had access to FIL adopted more technologies and increased the areas of cultivation compared to “non-beneficiary” families. It was also confirmed that in addition to the availability of labor, non-economic factors such as age, technical assistance, and inputs are relevant in the adoption. However, in order to increase the uptake of modern technologies, policy makers must place an emphasis on overcoming schooling deficiencies through other forms of learning; improve FIL access and management mechanisms by fighting impunity for borrowers and managers and ensuring budget transparency; improve technical advice through extension organization and ensure the participation of producers in technology transfer programs. However, the implementation of these recommendations poses a significant and major challenge for the development of the input market compatible with the purchasing power of the peaceful producer (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA )
