GCP/MOZ/086/NOR & ESW Gender implications of three agriculturerelated foreign land investments in Mozambique: promising approaches in a conflictive scenario Roberta Pellizzoli and Marianna Bicchieri Agricultural Investment Gender and Land in Africa, Cape Town 5-7 March 2014 A CONFLICTIVE INVESTMENT SCENARIO  Since early 2007, increasing number of foreign agriculture-related land investments;  High level of failure of agricultural projects approved between 2007 and 2012;  Studies published so far highlight conflicts, controversies and negative or ambivalent outcomes for the affected population, including the exacerbation of socio-economic and gender inequalities, low degree of implementation of the investment projects, weak community consultation processes;  Some positive outcomes reported in terms of production, employment and infrastructure;  Polarization and politicization of the public debate on land investments. 1 CASE STUDIES Companhia Agro-social Igo Sammartini • Chicumbane, 2009/10 • 1000 ha, maize • Full time permanent contracts Companhia de Vanduzi • Vanduzi-Rotanda-Belas, 2005… • 2450 ha (2 farms + pack house), veggies • Permanent and seasonal contracts + CF Rei do Agro • Niusse – Ruace, 2009/2010 • 1000 ha, soya • Annual contracts + support to local farmers Tractor operators at the Companhia Agro-Social Igo Sammartini, June 2013 2 IMPLICATIONS OF THE SELECTED INVESTMENTS  Creation of a virtuous circle of socio-economic local development  A permanent contract allows workers to “plan their life” and creates a motivating professional identity  Improved food security (also for outgrowers thanks to training received)  Positive and collaborative relation between the company and the community Casual workers in an outgrower’s plot, Vanduzi, Aug 2013 3 Permanent employees in the Companhia de Vanduzi packhouse, Aug 2013 IMPLICATIONS OF THE SELECTED INVESTMENTS  Women included within a formal, productive context (but risk of cristallization of gender roles)  Increased women’s participation in decisionmaking and autonomy  Women do not depend from husbands but from the companies: sustainability is key  “Women are more reliable” but no gender equity policy in place within the companies 4 Bulldozer operator, Rei do Agro, Aug 2013 CONCERNS  Investor’s goodwill / social responsibility policies rather than enabling environment for the promotion of gender-equitable and inclusive investments  Blatant absence of local and national institutions  Decent salaries 5 Fixed-term workers, Rei do Agro, Aug 2013 FINAL CONSIDERATIONS  Gender blindness of sectoral policies and regulations to be addressed  Build on promising approaches: formal contract farming arrangements, support to associativism, certifications for companies exporting their production, building a relation of trust and collaboration with the communities involved, transparent contracts.  Size of the investment crucial to avoid major negative impact on local population  Data disaggregated by gender to inform policy decisions (adjusted WEAI?)  How to influence the post-2015 agenda on gender and development? 6 An outgrower in front of her new house, Rotanda, Aug 2013 THANK YOU! OBRIGADA! A COMPLEX LEGAL AND POLICY FRAMEWORK  Law on Investments 1993 (Regulation 2009)  Land Law 1997  Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique  Gender Strategy of the Agricultural Sector 2005 (no reference to investments)  Strategic Plan for the Development of the Agrarian Sector (PEDSA) (linked to CAADP) 2011-2020 7