14 September 2010: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Mitsui and Co. Ltda, a Japanese trading company, have established a partnership to build a solar-powered irrigation system that will benefit the Millennium Village of Chibuto, in Southern Mozambique.

The pilot project aims to develop sustainable technologies to boost agricultural productivity in rural communities of Mozambique to provide year-round water supply for irrigation. The project in Chibuto will benefit an estimated 13,000 people and contribute to building knowledge in the use of sustainable technologies. Chibuto, a village located 200 kilometers from the capital Maputo, is mostly comprised of subsistence farmers with production affected by irregular water supply and low agricultural inputs. The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Science and Technology. UNDP is expected to facilitate the community organization in building the irrigation system and providing training for maintenance, business skills, accessing markets and improving agricultural methods.

The Millennium Villages programme focuses on poverty reduction and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). There are currently five Millennium Villages in Mozambique supported by UNDP and the Governments of Japan and Portugal. [UNDP Mozambique Press Release]