Edson Carneiro

Edson Carneiro headshot

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow, Class of 2021-22

  • Home country: Mozambique
  • College and degree: Graduate course in Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras; Bachelors in Agriculture and Natural Resources, Africa University
  • Current career: Senior Sustainable development Manager at Gorongosa Project
  • Specialization: Sustainable development, natural resources management, agribusiness
  • Email: ebc64 [at] cornell.edu

What is the most memorable or impactful experience of your career so far? 

After the cyclone IDAI made landfall in central Mozambique in March 2019, the Gorongosa Project was one the first respondents. I helped to coordinate the distribution of 500 tons of food donated by the World Food Program to 30,000 affected families. Subsequently, I headed the design and implementation of the agriculture component of the $500,000 Integrated Post-Cyclone IDAI Recovery Project. This project funded by USAID provided seeds and clean water to 10,000 households.

What are the big challenges you want to tackle in your country?

I would like to enhance smallholder agriculture and contribute to the transformation of the agrifood systems in Mozambique through the establishment of a national platform for digital agriculture. In doing so, I would promote innovative solutions to ensure sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, financial inclusion, gender equality and job sustainability while addressing climate change and emerging shocks such as COVID-19.

What does public service mean to you?

To me, public service means applying my skills, knowledge and experience for the betterment of society.

Tell us a fun fact about you. 

I like attending church services and sharing the word of God with others.

What would be your personal motto? 

"Get all the advice and instruction, so you will be wise the rest of your life" - Proverbs 19:20