Estela Jaime knows hard work. Alone, she cares for her five children and seven grandchildren, all living in her compound in Nabuzi, in Mozambique’s northernmost province, Niassa.
In a country facing significant development challenges, women like Estela navigate enormous obstacles every day: infrastructure weakened by years of civil conflict, limited educational opportunities, inadequate natural resource management, and increasing climate disruption. Alternating floods and droughts continue to threaten the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. Estela faces these challenges with determination.
In 2017, Estela and other farmers in her community received sustainable agriculture training and cassava seeds through World Renew’s partner in Mozambique, the Diocese of Niassa. Eager to try a new drought-resistant cassava variety that could better withstand changing weather patterns, Estela immediately put her training into practice.
“I was,” she says, “privileged to be the only woman selected.”
Sustainable Agriculture Supports Food Security in Mozambique
A year later, extension officers from the Diocese of Niassa returned to assess the farmers’ fields. Of the six plots planted with the new cassava seeds, only one had survived: Estela’s.
“The other farmers said I was lucky,” she recalls, “and most of them blamed the quality of the cassava seeds. But in reality, I succeeded because I invested a lot of time and labor into the field and the outcome was good, beyond expectations.”
Rather than luck, Estela’s success came from consistently applying the techniques she learned through the training program. Her commitment demonstrated how sustainable farming practices can help farmers strengthen their resilience in the face of climate-related challenges.
A Lead Farmer Strengthening Her Community
Following her success, Estela was elected as a lead farmer in her community during an open meeting. She now leads a group of 17 farmers—10 men and 7 women—who regularly visit demonstration plots to learn improved agricultural practices such as proper spacing and intercropping.
“Together,” she says, “we are challenging ourselves and making progress at implementing these new practices in our own fields.”
Estela also makes it a priority to involve people beyond the officially appointed group. She hopes many others in her community will benefit from the knowledge and skills that are helping stabilize her livelihood and support the family members in her care.
“It’s my wish,” she says, “that in the next season we will be expanding, adding more lead farmers and demonstration plots in the community, God willing.”
Growing Food Security in Mozambique and Beyond
Stories like Estela’s reflect World Renew’s broader commitment to strengthening food security in communities around the world. Through farmer training, climate-smart agriculture, improved seed varieties, and community-led learning, World Renew helps families increase food production, diversify incomes, and build resilience to climate-related shocks.
Our programs focus on equipping farmers with practical tools and knowledge so they can sustainably feed their families and create lasting change in their communities. By supporting local leadership and working alongside trusted partners, we help communities move toward greater stability, improved nutrition, and long-term well-being.
👉 Learn more about World Renew’s food security work.
