Food Subsidy Programme

The PSA is the main programme under basic social security in terms of coverage and longevity. It constitutes one of the rare examples in Africa of a State-led (National Institute of Social Action), non-contributory social security programme with continuous funding over a period of almost 20 years, making it the precedent for the current expansion of basic social security benefits. Established in 1990 as a response to the negative effects of the structural adjustment policies, the Programme evolved into its current institutional form in 1997. It is also the only basic social security programme in Mozambique with a legal status (Decree 19/93).

The Food Subsidy Programme is implemented by the National Institute of Social Action (INAS). INAS is the executing body for policies defined by the Ministry of Women and Social Action. At the community level, it works through local agents. These agents, known as “permanents” (“Permanentes”), are chosen by the community and work on a volunteer basis, receiving only an incentive monthly pay of Mtn300 (US$8.50). Their role is to promote the linkage between INAS delegations and the community, to participate in the identification of vulnerable people as potential beneficiaries and to organize the payment posts on paying days.

Finally, it is of significance that the PSA has a national coverage and that its coverage has significantly increased in recent years, from 96,572 households in 2006 to its current 2011 target of 252,842 households, representing a more than 161 per cent increase in 5 years).♦