Mozambique stands at the forefront of a new chapter in African agriculture – one defined by innovation, safety, and the power of science to transform farming systems. For years, farmers across the country have battled devastating pests such as stem borer and fall armyworm, which have significantly reduced maize yields and threatened food security.
But breakthroughs in biotechnology offer renewed hope. The development and provisional approval of Bt maize, also known as TELA maize – a genetically modified variety resistant to these pests – marks a major milestone in Mozambique’s journey toward sustainable agricultural growth.
From research to readiness
The pathway to Bt maize adoption in Mozambique has been deliberate and evidence-based. Under the guidance of national regulators, scientists conducted rigorous confined field trials starting in 2017 to evaluate the crop’s performance and safety. These trials assessed the maize’s effectiveness against target pests and examined its potential environmental impact.
Following years of data collection and review, Bt maize successfully met all biosafety and efficacy requirements. The provisional approval of this variety demonstrates that Mozambique’s regulatory system can deliver science-based decisions while maintaining high safety standards.
This achievement also reflects strong partnerships among research institutions, government agencies, and organizations such as the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), which has supported the process through technical expertise, risk assessment, and capacity building.
Strengthening regulatory capacity
Mozambique’s progress towards adopting Bt maize highlights the importance of robust regulatory frameworks. While biosafety laws are relatively new in the country, institutions have taken significant steps towards establishing systems capable of managing modern agricultural technologies responsibly.
These efforts extend beyond crop approval. They involve training national regulators, strengthening laboratory infrastructure, and developing clear pathways for commercialisation – ensuring that scientific innovations translate into real-world benefits for farmers.
AATF continues to work alongside Mozambique’s government and research community to enhance these systems, fostering a model that other countries in the region can adapt as they move toward adopting similar technologies.
What Bt maize means for farmers
I believe the introduction of Bt maize promises tangible benefits for Mozambique’s smallholder farmers. By protecting crops from key insect pests, the technology can reduce pesticide use, lowering production costs and minimising health and environmental risks.
Higher yields mean greater food security for households and communities, while surplus production opens opportunities for trade and income generation. These outcomes align with Mozambique’s broader goals of improving livelihoods, enhancing sustainability, and building resilience in the face of climate and pest pressures.
Importantly, the technology does not replace farmers’ traditional knowledge or practices. Instead, it complements them – providing a science-based tool to strengthen productivity and ensure safer, more reliable harvests.
Looking to the future
With provisional regulatory approval now complete, Mozambique is preparing for the commercial release of Bt maize, potentially as early as next year. This step will allow farmers to access improved seed varieties developed specifically for local growing conditions.
For me, the country’s progress demonstrates that biotechnology, when guided by science and supported by strong institutions, can play a vital role in addressing Africa’s agricultural challenges. Mozambique’s example shows how nations can responsibly harness innovation to improve food security and strengthen rural economies.
As the technology moves from laboratories and trial plots to farmers’ fields, it symbolises more than a scientific success – it represents a shared commitment to safe, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural transformation across Africa.
Continuing AATF’s support
To ensure the success of Bt maize adoption, AATF is working closely with national partners to facilitate seed production, strengthen delivery systems, and support farmer training on the responsible use of biotechnology. The Foundation is also engaging the private sector to promote commercialization and market linkages, helping ensure that the benefits of Bt maize reach the farmers who need them most.
Through these efforts, Mozambique is taking meaningful steps toward integrating biotechnology into its agricultural systems – showing how science, collaboration, and sound policy can steadily advance food security and resilience across Africa.
