Text – Samo Jossefa Samo; photos Muamine Benjamim
Gorongosa National Park, through the Gorongosa Restoration Project and in partnership with KAYA SEEDS, has begun distributing 20 tons of improved corn seeds to support approximately 4,000 families affected by recent floods in Sofala province.
The symbolic delivery took place last Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in the town of Bebedo, Nhamatanda district, one of the areas most affected by the floods of December 24, 2025, when the rising water level and overflowing of the Púnguè River destroyed agricultural fields, homes, and other community property.
According to preliminary data, about 128 hectares of agricultural production were affected in Bebedo alone, affecting 252 families. Many communities were forced to take refuge in churches, resilient schools built by the Gorongosa Restoration Project, and local homes, while infrastructure such as the health centers in Vinho and Mutondo had their courtyards flooded.
Of the total seeds planned for the six districts of the PNG Sustainable Development Zone — Gorongosa, Muanza, Dondo, Maringuè, Cheringoma, and Nhamatanda — half are being channeled to Nhamatanda, considered one of the most affected districts. In the first phase, 162 families received seeds, with distribution expected to expand to other locations in the coming days.
Each household receives five kilograms of seeds, enough to cultivate around 2,000 square meters. The initiative aims to achieve an estimated production of 1,220 tons of corn in the second agricultural season, contributing to the restoration of livelihoods and the strengthening of food security.
In addition to the distribution of inputs, the program includes technical assistance to farmers, crop monitoring, and the creation of model fields for training in improved agricultural practices, with the aim of increasing the productivity and income of rural families.
The director of KAYA SEEDS in Mozambique, Cristânia Mahuaia, pointed out that the partnership aims to guarantee quality seeds to accelerate the recovery of communities. “Each seed we deliver represents a new beginning and the possibility of returning to production and feeding the affected families,” she said.
Local authorities also stressed that, in addition to the effects of the floods, challenges related to human-wildlife conflict persist, particularly the invasion of agricultural fields by elephants. A new meeting between the government, Gorongosa National Park, and community leaders is scheduled for April 2026, with a view to finding joint solutions.
With fertile soils benefiting from the moisture of the Púnguè River, the supported localities are considered to have high agricultural potential. The district of Nhamatanda is responsible for about 60% of the vegetable supply to the city of Beira, playing a strategic role in regional food security.
The initiative is part of a set of integrated programs promoted by Gorongosa National Park in the areas of agriculture, health, education, conservation, and community development, aiming to strengthen the resilience of populations living in the Park’s Sustainable Development Zones.