Milestone Achievements of the Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA) since inception: What’s next for the Region?

Background

The Centre for Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) has been facilitating the implementation of the Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA). The programme started with three countries (Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia) since 2013 (First Phase) and expanded to Angola and Lesotho in 2019 (Second Phase). Its main thrust is to improve agricultural technology generation and dissemination within and among participating countries; building capacity within national Research and Development (R&D) systems; and enhancing regional collaboration in agricultural research and development. During the first phase of project implementation, 160 Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) technologies were generated and 301 disseminated and Regional Centers of Leadership (RCols) were established in each of the participating countries.

The implementation of APPSA is based on partnerships and collaboration among SADC countries. Each country under APPSA establishes a Regional Centre of Leadership (RCoL) in its respective commodity area that distinguishes it as a leader in the region and beyond. So far, Zambia has established an RCoL in legume-based farming systems, Malawi in maize- based farming systems and Mozambique in rice-based farming systems. In the current phase, Angola and Lesotho are establishing RCoLs in Cassava and Horticulture-based farming systems, respectively. The benefits from these facilities are expected to spill over to other countries within the region and beyond.

The virtual event will provide countries currently not part of APPSA with an opportunity to appreciate the work done by existing RCoLs as well as possible areas for collaboration. The Programme envisages the establishment of more RCols articulating other commodities of regional importance. This expansion is anticipated to enhance the effectiveness and impact of the programme.

Proposed activities

The event will involve: (1) presentations and discussions of key achievements since APPSA started; and (2) milestones and sequence of events for the Countries to follow when joining APPSA.

Objectives

The general objective of the webinar is to sensitize SADC Member States of the existence of RCoLs established under the APPSA programee, their roles in stimulating agricultural production in the region, and the need to establish more RCoLs covering other key commodities of regional importance.

Specifically, the event aims to:

• Showcase the achievements made by the first three APPSA Countries in the areas of agricultural research and development;
• Demonstrate to roles of the Regional Centers of Leadership in Commodities of regional importance and how they can service the needs of the SADC Member States;
• Enhance collaboration and partnerships in AR4D amongst the SADC Member States; and
• Share information to countries aspiring to join the APPSA family and participate in establishing Regional Centers of Leadership in other commodities of regional importance.

Outcomes

At the end of the webinar, participants are expected to have an appreciation of:

• The strategic relevance of the APPSA programme towards achieving national and regional priorities within the agricultural sector;
• Existing opportunities for collaboration and partnerships in AR4D;
• The need to establish more RCoLs focusing on other commodities of regional importance; and
• The requirements and steps for joining APPSA.

Participants

• Permanent Secretaries from Ministries responsible for Agriculture, food security, fisheries and aquaculture from all the SADC Member States
• The Director- SADC FANR Directorate
• Directors of Agricultural Research from all the SADC Member States
• RCoL Managers and Coordinators from Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia
• APPSA Technical Team Leader-World Bank Group
• World Bank Representatives
• Private sector representatives and partners
• CCARDESA Secretariat

The Zoom link will be shared a few days closer to the event.