Between the plate and the plow: The Harsh Dilemma Haunting Mozambique's Farming Families

By Álvaro Malamba, Communication and Advocacy Coordinator 

What would you do if all you had left were 20 cobs of maize? Would you eat them to ease the gnawing hunger of today, or save them as precious seed to secure tomorrow's harvest?

This is the heart-wrenching dilemma haunting hundreds of resilient farming families in Guijá district, Gaza province, Mozambique. After a brutal cycle of El Niño-induced droughts, swiftly followed by devastating floods, once-fertile fields have transformed into landscapes of agonising uncertainty.

Constância Chilaúle, a courageous widow and mother of four, knows this struggle intimately. Her entire family's survival hinges on the land, planting, nurturing, harvesting, feeding her children. Life has never been easy, but there was always a profound hope: sow the seed, and with time, the harvest would surely come. Today, that fundamental hope is tragically fading.

"The first time I planted, the drought was merciless; the seeds simply refused to sprout," Constância recounts, her voice tinged with weariness. "I tried again, but then torrential rains deluged the fields, and I lost everything. Later, I made one more desperate attempt, clinging to the last bit of moisture in the soil. The crops began to flourish… but just before harvest, the rains returned with a vengeance, flooding the fields once more, and I lost it all. Now, I don't even have a single seed left." 

Sitting quietly under the sparse shade of a tree with her young daughter nestled beside her, Constância holds a worn sieve filled with maize kernels. From a distance, it might appear to be a small bounty. But lean closer, and the grim reality hits: the family granary is utterly empty. These are the last, precious grains from her last harvest. As she meticulously shells each kernel, one by one, a truly painful decision weighs heavy on her heart: eat now, or plant for a tomorrow that feels increasingly distant?

"I know, deep down, I should save it for planting. But my children's hunger won't wait, "Constância confides, her eyes reflecting the impossible choice.

Constância’s poignant story is far from unique. Thousands of families across Guijá and Mabalane districts, where World Vision actively operates, are confronting this same heartbreaking choice. These are communities whose very existence depends entirely on their farming, yet today, their sole focus is simply to survive.

With the crucial support of generous donors and dedicated partners, World Vision is empowering these families to rebuild their lives. We are providing drought- and flood-resistant seeds, fostering the formation of vital savings groups, and championing sustainable solutions. Our goal is to ensure that courageous mothers like Constância can reclaim their hope, and confidently provide nourishing food for their children, both today and for all their tomorrows.