World Bank Concludes APPSA Mid-Term Review in Lesotho

The Mid-Term Review (MTR) for the Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA) was concluded on Friday, 2nd of December 2022 in Lesotho, having commenced in Angola on the 21st of November 2022. The Mission assessed the relevance of the project since commencement, progress made towards achieving the Project Development Objective (PDO) by both implementing countries and the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), and challenges encountered.
 
On the last day of the Mission, the World Bank presented their key observations from the entire mission and recommendations on activities to be prioritised in order to achieve the Project’s key indicators before January 2025, which is the project’s closing date.  Of note were concluding remarks from the Regional Task Team Leader (TTL), Francisco Obreque, who indicated that while extra efforts will be required to fast-track some activities that are lagging behind, key project targets as set out in the results framework remain achievable before January 2025.

The World Bank team presented the key observations and recommendations from their entire mission

APPSA is a six-year World Bank funded research programme currently implemented by Angola and Lesotho with CCARDESA providing a facilitating role. Angola is establishing a Regional Centre of Leadership (RCoL) on Cassava and Cassava-based farming systems whereas Lesotho is focusing on Horticulture and Horticulture-based farming systems.

In Lesotho, the MTR mission started with courtesy meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Ministry of Planning and Finance. In the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the World Bank Team had the opportunity to meet the Honourable Minister, Thabo Mofosi. The Mission also made field visits to Mohale’s Hoek, Siloe Research Station and Leribe to appreciate the on-going work under APPSA Lesotho with Researchers, Lead Farmers and Follower farmers. Delegates also had an opportunity to interact with beneficiaries of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) that were established through one of the APPSA sub-projects, and seed producers who have also benefitted through initiatives facilitated under the programme.

With the mission having ended on Friday, the 2nd of December 2022, the Bank is expected to share the Mission’s Aide Memoire, which will detail key action points to guide national and regional work plans going forward.

The Mission also made field visits to Mohale’s Hoek, Siloe Research Station and Leribe