Maputo, Mozambique – May 21, 2026 – Mozambique has officially released five new potato varieties to the market in a significant step toward strengthening food and nutritional security and reducing the country’s dependence on imported seed potatoes. The initiative was led by the Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM), in partnership with the International Potato Center (CIP). The proposal for the official registration and release of the genotypes Maragui (CIP398208.670), PNIB9 (CIP394781.9), Rosâmia23 (CIP392797.22), LIMunda (CIP396033.102), and Kadoda99 (CIP398098.99) was presented by Lourenço João Caunganha, a researcher at IIAM.
Potato remains one of the five most important food crops in Mozambique and forms part of the country’s basic food basket. However, the country continues to face a significant gap between annual consumption, estimated at over 500,000 tons, and national production, currently estimated at approximately 297,000 tons. Mozambique also spends nearly USD 3 million annually on imported potato seed due to low productivity, the use of poor-quality seed, and the prevalence of diseases such as late blight and bacterial wilt.
The newly released varieties were developed and evaluated through studies conducted in the agro-ecological zones of Chimbunila, Sanga, and Lichinga. The trials, carried out between 2022 and 2025, involved more than 500 farmers. Agronomic, laboratory, and sensory analyses demonstrated the varieties’ high yield potential, stability, and nutritional quality. According to Caunganha, some of the genotypes achieved yields ranging from 22 to 42 tons per hectare, significantly outperforming the varieties currently cultivated in the country.
Antónia Vaz, National Director of Health and Biosecurity at the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries (MAAP), announced the official approval of the five new varieties, noting that they offer significant advantages over previously released varieties.
“These varieties stand out for their resistance to pests and diseases, particularly bacterial wilt, which is currently one of the greatest challenges facing potato production in Mozambique,” -Antónia Vaz, National Director of Health and Biosecurity at the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries (MAAP)
Abdul Naico, CIP Country Manager in Mozambique, emphasized that the country still faces an estimated 90 percent deficit in national potato seed production. However, he noted that the large-scale dissemination of these varieties through the PROCAVA Program could significantly reduce the national seed supply gap.
“With an intensive four- to five-year program, Mozambique can achieve greater stability in seed production while also reducing foreign exchange outflows linked to seed imports,” Naico said.
He further explained that potato seed production takes place during the cool season, with first-generation seed production currently underway. Seed preservation activities are conducted during the warmer months between December and January.
The release event was held at MAAP and brought together representatives from the National Directorate of Planning and Policies, the Association for the Promotion of the Seed Sector, the National Directorate of Extension, the Mozambique Seed Trade Association, the National Union of Farmers, the Department of Registration and Release of Varieties, the Mozambique Cereals Institute, the Department of Plant Health, and the Department of Seeds.
Author: Rousseau Bila, Photo : Marcos Niuais