The project "Improving the Consumption of Animal-Origin Foods," implemented by GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition) with support from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has significantly enhanced food security in Mozambican communities.
Recently, new dried fish storage facilities were inaugurated in the cities of Cuamba, Gurué, and Nhamatanda, transforming how vendors store and sell their products.
These new infrastructures, equipped with thermal insulation systems, allow for proper preservation of dried fish, helping vendors reduce financial losses and ensure safe food for communities.
Fátima João, a vendor at the Nzero Municipal Market in Nhamatanda, highlighted that she can now preserve her fish for longer, leading to a significant reduction in losses.
“With this storage built by GAIN, I can keep the fish separate from other products,” says Fátima, reflecting on her changed reality.
In addition to the storage facilities, the project also provides freezers to vendors like Delfina Cumbe in Beira, who now plans to expand her business to include chickens and their derivatives. This autonomy brought by the equipment also contributes to the sustainability of their businesses.
Bela Albino, a fish vendor at the Gurué Municipal Market, expressed gratitude for the project's positive impact. “Now I can preserve dried fish under ideal conditions without risking my community's health.”
With around 500 vendors benefiting, GAIN's project not only strengthens food security but also transforms the lives of many local entrepreneurs, promoting a healthier and more sustainable future for communities.
The project's repercussions are clearly visible in how it has contributed to the dignity and sustainability of food vendors' livelihoods, making a tangible difference in the lives of many Mozambicans.
(By Renaldo Manhice)
