Land Rights in Mozambique: Who Owns the Soil Farmers Till?

In Mozambique, land is not a commodity that can be bought or sold; it is the constitutional property of the State. This system, governed by the 1997 Land Law, requires farmers to operate under the Direito de Uso e Aproveitamento da Terra (DUAT), which grants the right to use the land without conveying full private ownership.

The DUAT System and Economic Constraints

Because land remains state property, it cannot be used as collateral for traditional bank loans. This lack of formal equity restricts access to capital for smallholder farmers, as they cannot leverage their primary asset to secure financing for agricultural expansion. While the 1997 Law formally recognizes customary land rights, the administrative hurdles to formalize these claims remain high, complicating efforts for farmers to scale their operations.

Gender and Land Tenure

The lack of formalized land tenure disproportionately affects women in rural Mozambique. Although the constitution mandates equality, local patriarchal customs often restrict women's access to land inheritance and management. Without clear, formalized documentation of their usage rights, many women face insecurity regarding their long-term ability to work the land and secure their livelihoods.

Impact on the Farmer's Season

For a smallholder farmer, the absence of land titles means that planning for the agricultural season is dictated by immediate needs rather than long-term asset development. Without access to formal credit, farmers must rely on basic inputs like seeds and fertilizer. This makes every harvest cycle critical, as they have no safety net or credit facility to absorb the costs of a poor season or to invest in advanced tools that would increase productivity.

Future Technological Possibilities

While the current legal framework is rigid, future innovations could transform the sector. The use of blockchain technology could create transparent, immutable digital ledgers for land registry, potentially simplifying the DUAT formalization process. Additionally, satellite imagery and drones could provide precise field mapping, helping document customary land use and providing stakeholders with accurate spatial data to manage rural resources more effectively.

Related guide: Climate-smart agriculture in Mozambique: 6 technologies helping farmers beat drought, floods and cyclones

Frequently asked questions

What is a DUAT in Mozambique? It is the 'Direito de Uso e Aproveitamento da Terra,' which gives a person or entity the legal right to use and benefit from land owned by the state.

Why can't farmers use land as collateral? Because the state retains ownership of all land, it cannot be bought, sold, or mortgaged by individuals to secure bank loans.

Do women have rights to land under the law? The constitution grants equality; however, formalizing these rights is difficult, and local customs often make it hard for women to maintain control over land inheritance or management.

Maputo Bridge Capital and Mozambique Agriculture

Maputo Bridge Capital (MBC), founded by Anselmo Boaventura in Fort Worth, Texas, works to support smallholder farmers in Zambezia through the COJAZ cooperative. MBC connects sponsors with verified farmers to provide essential inputs, ensuring 92% of contributions go directly to the local shop for seeds and fertilizer, while 8% covers verification and documentation. After harvest, farmers repay into a Community Fund that assists the next farmer in the network. Read more about how to help farmers in Mozambique or meet the farmers currently working their land.

You can sponsor a farmer today starting from $25 at our sponsor a farmer page. Please note that sponsorships are gifts, not investments, and are not tax-deductible.