In this policy brief, we present findings of a systematic evaluation and ranking of investment options for Mozambique’s agrifood system based on their cost-effectiveness in achieving multiple development outcomes, including agrifood gross domestic product (GDP) growth, agrifood job creation, poverty reduction, declining undernourishment, and lowering diet deprivation. Additionally, the study assesses their environmental footprint, focusing on water consumption, land use, and emissions. In Mozambique, investments in small and medium enterprise (SME) processors and traders are identified as the most cost-effective means of enhancing social outcomes, such as poverty reduction and addressing undernourishment. They are also highly ranked in accelerating agrifood GDP and employment. Moreover, extension services for livestock and agronomy, rural road infrastructure, and post-harvest losses reduction are also highly ranked. However, many of these cost-effective investments come with relatively high environmental footprints, which highlight potential tradeoffs. The study further reveals shifts in the cost-effectiveness ranking of investment options over time and marginally so in the presence of extreme production shocks.
| Authors | |
| Geographic coverage | Mozambique |
| Originally published | 23 Dec 2025 |
| Related organisation(s) | CGIAR - Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers |
| Knowledge service | Metadata | Global Food and Nutrition Security | Sustainable Food Systems |
| Digital Europa Thesaurus (DET) | investmentAgriculturesustainable developmentpovertynutritionenvironmental impact |