Examining access to natural resources and linkages to sustainable livelihoods

Abstract

Since the adoption of a new Constitution in 1990 and the signing of the peace accord in 1992, Mozambique has witnessed a period of rapid regulatory change in respect to the rules that govern the ownership and rights of use of a range of natural resources. There are newlaws and regulations in place that govern access to and beneficial use of land, forest and mineral resources and a new environmental framework law.FAO has been involved in providing assistance to the recent policy development processes in Mozambique, particularly in respect to the land and forestry sectors. There are ongoing FAO projects in land administration, community forestry, territorial planning, food security and judicial training, all of which are concerned with or affected by the policies, institutions and processes that impact upon access to natural resources by the poor.The overall purpose of the paper is to analyse the extent to which the regulatory changes to natural resource access and management have had their intended effect and to identify and explore the critical issues that require further attention.