CCARDESA Strengthens Skills of APPSA Researchers on Scientific Writing and Publishing

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) is currently coordinating a series of short-term training programmes to improve the capacity of Scientists implementing Research and Development (R&D) sub-projects under the Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA). As part of this effort, CCARDESA hosted a virtual training on scientific writing and publishing on the 15th and 16th of December 2022 for Scientists leading research activities in Angola and Lesotho. This training also benefitted Scientists from APPSA Phase 1 (Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia).

APPSA is a six-year World Bank funded initiative based on collaborative implementation of R&D sub-projects between two or more countries. Currently, APPSA is being implemented in Angola and Lesotho with regional coordination by CCARDESA. These two countries are establishing Regional Centers of Leadership (RCoL) on Cassava and on Horticulture, respectively. From 2013 to 2019, APPSA was successfully implemented by Malawi (Maize RCoL), Mozambique (Rice RCoL) and Zambia (Legumes RCoL).

The training adopted an interactive approach and exposed participants to among others, determining the publishability of research findings, the journal/book/conference selection process (accredited vs predatory publications), the process of writing a publishable scientific research output,  the scientific editing process, publication ethics, and Scientometrics (Understanding Impact Factor, H-Index, visibility of research outputs).  In early 2023, CCARDESA will facilitate another session on data management and statistical analysis as part of the capacity building initiative under APPSA.