Minister Didiza Calls for Agility and Responsiveness to Combat Food Insecurity

23 Jun 2023

By Ms Keneilwe Bungile

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) conducted its 3rd General Assembly on 8th June 2023 in Durban, South Africa. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of FARA Africa Agricultural Science Week (AASW8).

CCARDESA Executive Director, Prof Cliff Dlamini, gave a background of the CCARDESA General Assembly and updates from past assemblies. He said the General Assembly is integral to CCARDESA's governance, providing strategic direction to the Board and the Secretariat. CCARDESA's Charter mandates the Assembly to convene every two years, and the first meeting took place in May 2014 in Gaborone, while the second GA took place virtually on 10^th June 2021

In his remarks, Board Chairperson Prof. Lala Razafinjara urged participants to fully engage in the General Assembly deliberations to advance CCARDESA's mandate.

International Fund Agricultural Development(IFAD), Technical Specialist Mr Amine Belhamissi, Technical Specialist AR4D, congratulated CCARDESA for its strong governance structure allowing regular engagement with stakeholders to deliberate on organisational operations.

Minister Thoko Didiza, the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in South Africa, gave the keynote address where she urged the Assembly members to take immediate, adaptive measures to tackle the region's escalating challenge of food insecurity.

Minister Didiza advocated for strategies to enhance the resilience and adaptability of smallholder farmers, as crucial given the current climate and growing food scarcity. Emphasising the significance of indigenous local foods, she appealed for research efforts to redefine the region's food basket to cater for today's generation.

Although lauding most agricultural programs, Minister Didiza pointed out the shortcomings in accessibility and language barriers that render them ineffective. She pushed for community-oriented research to inform policymaking and aid in developing policies that promote food movement and security within the region.

Commending CCARDESA's vision and strategy, Minister Didiza urged the Board and Assembly members to develop funding strategies and foster research and development initiatives. She also stressed the importance of adopting climate-smart technologies to address regional issues promptly.

During the General Assembly, elections were held to nominate the New General Assembly Chairperson. Dr Grace Kaudzu, Director of the Department of Agricultural Research Services under the Ministry of Agriculture in Malawi, was elected to succeed Dr Lefulesele Lebesa as the new Chairperson of the CCARDESA General Assembly. She pledged to collaborate with all members in advancing the CCARDESA mission.

The Outgoing Chairperson of the General Assembly, Dr Lebesa, gladly handed over the mantle of Chairperson to Malawi and wished her well as she assumed duties as the CCARDESA General Assembly Chairperson.

In her acceptance speech, the new chair thanked the South African Minister of Agriculture for gracing the event, despite her hectic schedule. She also highlighted the need for resource mobilisation, considering the high costs associated with research.

The General Assembly members left the meeting happy that they had achieved all their expectations of the meeting, which included: the election of a new Chairperson of the General Assembly; endorsement of the CCARDESA Board of Directors; approval of the Board Report to the General Assembly, and endorsement of CCARDESA's Strategic Direction. The General Assembly brought together diverse stakeholders, including the CCARDESA Board Members, farmers, policymakers, private sector actors and regulators nominated by the Member States.