Margarida owns 11 hectares, but like so many small-scale farmers without the resources to cultivate, she can only use a small portion – about six hectares, where she grows maize, wheat and cassava to feed her family.

Five years ago, an outsider started to plough about half her land. No-one consulted Margarida and she received no notification from the government.

“I live in constant fear. If one individual was able to take nearly half my land, there is no guarantee I won’t lose all of my land. When I ask the local municipality to officially demarcate my land, they ask for money to send out a land surveyor.”

“The truth is that with the level of corruption here, I can lose my land with or without a title deed – but I would certainly be more comfortable if I had a title deed.”

HungerFREE's Mozambican women farmers, marching to demand their rights to land, received support from one of the country's most prominent citizens, former first lady Graca Michel.

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