Papel sócio-económico do milho na zona Norte de Moçambique: o caso da comercialização

Abstract

Maize is a source of income for families in the northern part of Mozambique with little access to technologies. It is considered the main crop in intercropping with cassava and beans. The study finds that in addition to being a source of monetary income, this cereal contributes to household food security. Given the importance of this cereal, the study sought to study the dynamics of corn in the northern part of the country. In addition to contributing to the diet, maize allows for an increase in the overall household income, which is made up of the sum of the products produced on the farm, the revenue from maize sales, and the income from non-agricultural activities. Using the analysis of the TIA 2003 data, the study concluded that maize was the possible solution for capturing cash income via marketing. With these monetary incomes families have access to public services, with particular emphasis on education. At the moment, the illiteracy rate is the most frequent among families, and it is higher in families headed by women. Despite the lack of data, the trend indicates that the children of corn producing families that obtain monetary income from the sale of corn have greater access to education. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)