South-South Cooperation: The Role of Brazilian Investments in Mozambique's Agricultural Transformation

This study investigates the nature, impact and potential of South-South cooperation as reflected in Brazil's role in Mozambique's agricultural transformation. It is primarily an examination of the relationship between the Mozambican Institute of Agricultural Research, IIAM, and its Brazilian counterpart, the Brazilian Enterprise for Agricultural Research, Embrapa, in their cooperative agreement to transfer knowledge, technology and skills. The hypothesis of the study was as follows: the South-South paradigm as indicated by the Brazil-Mozambique agricultural cooperation will lead to a positive transformation.;The research examines the issues of Brazil's involvement with Mozambique's agricultural transformation through in-depth perceptual interviews of knowledgeable and informed individuals in Brazil and Mozambique. The findings are analyzed through the conceptual framework of South-South cooperation using the case study method of inquiry.;The study revealed these findings: most participants responded negatively to the question as to whether Mozambique received skills, knowledge transfer and other benefits from the relationship; nearly half of the respondents claimed that the government of Mozambique was not well-prepared for the partnership; the majority of the participants did not see much impact on Mozambique's long-term agricultural capacity; a majority of the participants indicated that the relationship did not have much impact on Mozambique's small and medium-size businesses and the majority of the participants saw positive value in the quality of the general relationship between Mozambique and Brazil.;The findings cast doubts about the hypothesis but gave some hope for the potential leading the researcher to these conclusions: South-South cooperation does not mean a worry-free relationship. The lack of preparedness and due diligence on the part of both parties adds to the frustration experienced by the implementers and potential beneficiaries of the cooperation. South-South cooperation cannot be actualized without financial resources and capacity. Mozambique will have to modify, "Mozambicanize," or syncretize any program or project being transferred from other countries. Mozambique must negotiate hard to secure its national self-interest. South-South cooperative agreements do not preclude such mandates. South-South and Brazil-Mozambique cooperation holds a lot of promise and potential. Recipients of South-South cooperation agreements, like Mozambique, need to alert at all times. Others, including South partners, may take advantage of the resources to their own benefit. South countries like Mozambique should continue their investment in human resources at the university level. South countries should draw on the knowledge and capacities of their own national subject matter experts and their diaspora when negotiating cooperative agreements.;The researcher recommends a mixed method of research that would include quantitative metrics and benchmarks measuring the impact in agricultural growth. A larger study with more participants could have even greater significance in understanding and directing future cooperative ventures. Finally, the researcher suggests conducting a longitudinal study in five-year intervals to document long-term impacts on the agricultural sector.;The researcher believes that the findings and learnings from this study could add to future South-South scholarship in the fields of African studies and international relationships with the addition of original empirical data. This research seeks to inform how Mozambique and other South countries structure future relationships with Brazil and other South-South partners.