Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique ( IIAM)

The Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM) is the national body responsible for conducting, coordinating, and disseminating agricultural research and technology in Mozambique. Operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, IIAM is a key technical pillar for the government's flagship SUSTENTA program and the PEDSA II (2020–2030) strategic plan. In 2026, the institute is focused on the industrialization and digitalization of agriculture, aiming to integrate smallholder farmers into value chains through market-oriented research. Under the current leadership of Director General Dr. Olga Faftine (succeeded by Dr. Roberto Albino as Minister with overall strategic oversight), IIAM operates through a decentralized network of four zonal centers, South, Central, Northwest, and Northeast, specializing in the country's ten distinct agro-ecological zones. A landmark achievement in February 2026 was the collaborative release with IITA of five new climate-resilient soybean varieties (Bela, Malonda, Ovilela, Ulimi, and 10E) designed to withstand soybean rust and late rains, potentially increasing yields to 4.3 tons/ha. Beyond crop breeding, IIAM serves as the national custodian of soil maps and hydro-meteorological data, providing critical baseline information for disaster management and early warning systems like FEWS NET