Urban and Peri-urban Cultivation in Northern Mozambique

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of small-scale agricultural practices on income-generating activities for female street food vendors in urban and peri-urban areas in northern Mozambique. Female-headed households report greater food resources and income from gathering and cultivation despite longer work days. This creates new economic niches. Cultivation contributes to positive psychological outcomes; it reduces feelings of anomie and eases transitions from rural to urban settings. Cultivation provides a connection to tradition, serves as a cultural identifier, and allows women to earn money in gender-appropriate ways. These findings have policy implications for food security and livelihoods in urban centers, including the need for greater access to water and clean compost material to enhance yield.