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Agriculture Inputs and Outputs Market
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Dr David Kamchacha
Recent studies on input markets done by FANRPAN and others have demonstrated that there are two parallel input distribution channels in most African countries - the non-commercial (governments, NGOs, agencies) and the commercial (seed companies/private sector distribution networks). The dominance of the non-commercial channels is inhibiting the development of effective commercial markets, and distorting the incentives for seed and fertilizer producers, retailers, and farmers. Previous work by FANRPAN and others has demonstrated the potential benefits of integrating these channels with an input voucher system (notably in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia). Malawi has made more progress in this regard than most countries have; in Zambia there is positive experience but policy makers are not well-informed on the potential benefits compared to blanket untargeted subsidies. Further, there have been few efforts to expand the use of vouchers for other inputs, for example treadle pumps. To our knowledge, there are no assessments available regarding the potential for similar policies in Lesotho and Swaziland, though both have substantial relief programs. Different types of voucher programs can be used to ensure that the non-commercial distribution is done by the commercial sector. We hypothesize that the vouchers can be used to enhance the purchasing power of the poor; and the commercial
During 2006-2007, FANRPAN's country nodes in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia updated previous research and collected more data on the workings of commercial and non-commercial channels and on the impacts and effectiveness of input voucher programs. Based on the results, national consultations were held at national and regional levels. There appears to be some strong though not universal support for further work assessing the potential impacts and outcomes of input voucher schemes, and for designing programs that work effectively in the given circumstances of each country.
In 2007-2008, working with stakeholders in the three countries. In Malawi, implementation of the coupon system is being improved by government (in response to stakeholder observations) and FANRPAN assisted in documenting learning lessons for further adjustments, and also attempt to assess the costs and benefits compared to non-targeted approaches. In Zambia and Mozambique, FANRPAN worked with stakeholders to assist in designing detailed input voucher implementation programs, and achieve buy-in from policymakers and stakeholders. In Lesotho and Swaziland, FANRPAN country nodes convened policy dialogue workshops to introduce the evidence of work on input vouchers from other countries (as well as any experiences available from that country). In both countries FANRPAN commissioned a study to review and document experiences to date, the views of the major stakeholders, and what the costs and benefits would be of such a program on a large scale.
Currently, studies are being conducted to look at the impact of fertilizer and seed subsidies on food security at both national and household levels. The ongoing studies are looking at the impact of the subsidies on Livelihoods, beyond food security.
Country: Mozambique
Study: Impact of IVP on Livelihood in Mozambique
Objectives:
To inform food security policy development and direction aimed to achieve improved implementation and management of Input Voucher program by the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAG).
Country: Zambia
Study: Impact of IVP on Livelihood in Zambia
Objectives:
To inform food security policy development and direction aimed to achieve improved management and adoption of Input Voucher for the implementation of the Farmer Input Training Support Programme (FITSP) by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
Country: Malawi
Study: Impact of IVP on Livelihood in Malawi
Objectives:
To inform food security policy development and direction aimed to achieve improved management of the ISP by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Purpose of my travels:
Follow up on the progress of the study in Malawi and to give updates to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food security while in Mozambique and Zambia the travel is to finalize the preparation, talk to some stakeholders and to launch the studies.
This work is supported by USAID.
Contact Person:
For More (http://www.fanrpan.org/themes/agric_systems/)
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Limpopo Basin Focal Project
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Dr Amy Sullivan
The Limpopo Basin Focal Project is translating the global goals of the CPWF into specific research objectives for the basin, while maintaining coherence through common methodologies. Through whole-basin analysis of hydrology and poverty, coupled with more detailed analysis of livelihood support systems, the LBFP is identifying specific problems of water and agriculture, the people they affect, and the particular areas over which they occur. Further analysis identifies potential opportunities for impact.
The LBFP focuses on the relationship between water, agriculture and poverty from 4 specific directions: water poverty; water availability; agricultural water productivity; and institutional arrangements around water. Each of these issues is examined by a specific work package, while two others-1) intervention packages; and 2) knowledge management and sharing-complete the research team and drive integration of activities.
LBFP research consists mainly of synthesis and analysis of existing data and originated with a scoping phase, followed by preliminary analysis, and development and presentation of results. Stakeholder consultations figure prominently in the research process to ensure relevance of methodologies and findings to target audiences.
The total population is over 14 million. Nearly a quarter of South Africa's population and over 60% of Botswana's live in the basin. Major southern African cities within or adjacent to the Basin include Johannesburg-Pretoria, Gaborone, and Bulawayo. The Basin is a major location for mining gold, platinum, vanadium, iron, coal and other minerals-and mines both consume and pollute scarce water supplies. Half of South Africa's electricity is generated by coal-fired plants within the basin. Large highly-capitalized commercial irrigated farms are found in South Africa and Zimbabwe, using over half the basin water. Side by side in these two countries, the basin contains huge pockets of poverty as a result of previous policies. In both countries as well as Mozambique, large numbers of poor people try to make a living on small farms having no reliable water supply, degrading soils, and poor market access. The basin contains valuable and productive ecosystems, from the mangroves and fisheries of Mozambique to famous national parks (Kruger), transboundary game parks, and nature reserves (e.g., Blyde Canyon): tourism is a major and growing activity in the basin.
In this complex environment, the potential for major expansion of irrigation is limited. However, if the four basin countries establish effective institutions, they can cooperate to improve access to water by those currently disadvantaged and help people to make productive use of scarce water while also conserving the basin ecosystems.
Expected Outputs:
- In-depth understanding of water-poverty nexus
- Up to date water availability maps for the basin
- Agricultural water productivity assessment for the basin
- Institutional analysis for the basin
- 5Strategic intervention packages to reduce poverty and increase food security for specific audiences in the basin.
This project is part of the Challenge Programme on Water and Food (www.waterandfood.org).
Basin Coordinator:
Litha Magingxa
Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
Private Bag X519,
Silverton 0127, South Africa
Phone: +27 (12) 8424027
Fax: +27 (12) 8424317
Lead Institutions-FANRPAN and Agricultural Research Council (ARC) South Africa
Partners: University of Botswana, University of Zimbabwe, University of Malawi, University Eduardo Mondlane, University of Pretoria, IIAM, IWMI, GWP
Project duration: March 2007 through December 2009
Contact Person:
For More (http://www.fanrpan.org/themes/resources/)
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Biofuels
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The main objective of this three-year project is to identify pathways for the provision of bioenergy in sub-Saharan Africa. There are about 45 partners globally, and it is supported by the European Union (see: http://www.compete-bioafrica.net/). FANRPAN leads the policy work package. In 2007, FANRPAN produced draft Policy Working Papers synthesizing existing bio-energy policies among African countries, and those at sub-regional, regional and national levels (see: http://www.fanrpan.org/documents/d00462/). FANRPAN reviewed a wide range of policy documents related to energy, natural resources, agriculture, trade, and poverty reduction. We found that in general, few African countries have policies in place that would enable them to benefit substantially from the new opportunities for producing and either consuming locally, or exporting, bioenergy products. Even those countries with some policies in place have done little to implement them. South Africa is the exception. The Economic Community of West African States has a broad policy though there is little progress in implementation; while none of the other African Regional Economic Communities have policies in place. The United States and European Union are both using subsidies and other means to support increasing the production of biofuels internally, but are not necessarily open to major imports from developing countries. WTO rules are ambiguous about the classification of biofuels, further retarding progress.
In 2008, FANRPAN will lead an assessment of what is known about the outcomes of these policies and co-organize a policy workshop, while in 2009, FANRPAN will lead the preparation of papers on policy recommendations and on research needs.
Contact:
For More (http://www.fanrpan.org/themes/resources/)
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Biotechnology and Biosafety
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Dr Wynand van der Walt
From March 2005 the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource, Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) has in partnership with PBS facilitated a regional policy analysis project called "Regional Approach to Biosafety for Southern African Countries" (RABSAC). This project follows the same methodology and complements the COMESA/ASARECA policy analysis activity - RABESA. Its financial support comes from USAID.
The RABSAC project focuses on three economically, socially and agriculturally significantly different countries in Malawi, Mauritius and South Africa. The prime objective of the RABSAC study is to identify issues like barriers to movement of technology, potential barriers to trade in GM commodities and implications for regional food security.
Phase I of the RABSAC project (stretching from April to September 2005) focused on situation and stakeholder analysis in each country while Phase II (November-August 2006) endeavored to assess the potential and real impact of GM crops on acceptance of food aid, commercial trade and on-farm production and profitability. National workshops were conducted in case-study countries and working papers and Phase I reports have been published on the FANRPAN website (http://www.fanrpan.org/programmes/biotech.php?menu_id=31&ch=38).
In FY 2007, country specific newsletters and policy briefs have been developed by the national project teams as well as a regional newsletter and project synthesis. A regional policy workshop presenting the RABSAC results was conducted as a side event to the FANRPAN annual stakeholders' consultation (Lusaka, September 2007). As FANRPAN has formal relationships with regional trade / policy bodies such as COMESA, SADC and NEPAD, the workshop was a suitable opportunity to share the project's findings and recommendations regionally.
In 2008, FANRPAN will complete and publish the results of analytical work and stakeholder dialogues conducted so far, and to ensure that recommendations are formulated and disseminated. The activities will focus on:
- Intensify advocacy and information dissemination in case study countries: This will take the form of press releases, media briefings and national dialogues;
- Review and improvement of reports: The country reports will be reviewed; issues of additional interest and possible gaps will be identified, rectified and reworked where necessary.
- Regional workshop: Stakeholders from SADC and COMESA member countries will be invited to a workshop where findings will be presented. The meeting will also serve to identify topics for future PBS activities.
Information dissemination: Newsletters and policy briefs resulting from the reassessment of the information gathered in the first two years will be published on the FANRPAN "Biosafety and biotechnology" website. In addition, press releases and media briefings will be instrumental in ensuring broader dissemination of RABSAC findings.
Contact Person:
For More (http://www.fanrpan.org/themes/agric_systems/)
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Climate Change
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FANRPAN is a partner with the Global Environmental Change and Food Systems (GECAFS: www.gecafs.org) in a proposed integrated research endeavour to determine strategies to cope with the impacts of global environmental change on southern African food systems and to assess the environmental and socioeconomic consequences of adaptive responses aimed at improving long-term food security. Recognising and building upon ongoing national and regional GEC and food security research, research will deliver policy-relevant information about the better management of the interactions between GEC and the food systems that underpin food security. Research will identify the social and geographical distribution of the vulnerability of the region's food systems to GEC in the context of other stresses. Based on these new insights, collaborative research with regional stakeholders will evaluate how, when and where adaptations to food systems could be instituted to reduce their vulnerability to GEC while also being in line with national and regional developmental goals. An assessment of the long-term social and environmental consequences of different potential adaptation measures is therefore a key element of the proposed research effort. FANRPAN and GCAFS are currently seeking support for this five-year program.
Second, FANRPAN is a partner in a three-year project starting in June 2008 and led by IFPRI entitled, "Strategies for Adapting to Climate Change in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa: Targeting the Most Vulnerable." The project will work from the global- to the household-level with a focus on the meso-scale (regional analysis at the food production system level). The meso-scale analysis will be informed by impacts of global-level environmental and economic changes and "shocks" and, in turn, will link to micro-level outcomes of household welfare - measured in terms of poverty, hunger and malnutrition. A set of global change scenarios will be developed, including changes in climate, land use, socio-economic factors, and alternative policies. At the meso-scale, socio-economic household and food production system typologies and impact and response matrices will be developed based on existing databases coupled with scenario parameters and crop and livestock allocation, vegetation, and land-use allocation models. Changes in crop growth under climate change will be simulated under climate change and alternative germplasm, nutrient, water, and land management strategies. These analyses will be combined to develop impacts and response options by type of production system and household. The complementary micro-level assessment in selected case study countries will help identify household-level constraints to adaptation and household behaviour with regard to adaptation strategies in alternative biophysical and socio-economic settings.
The combination of these components allows us to relate the global-level influences of economic and environmental change, to household-level outcomes that are relevant to welfare. By "packaging" these components within a framework for assessment that can be readily understood and used by decision makers who want to evaluate policy alternatives, and their likely impacts on welfare - we are able to provide a very valuable decision support tool which is grounded by a rich set of data and observations that are part of a larger knowledge support network and database.
ASARECA and FANRPAN will provide guidance and assistance in identifying and soliciting the participation of key informants. These same stakeholders will be among those local participants who will be included in focus group discussion and localized surveys. Policymakers will be presented with the research findings at a final policy workshop, and will be invited to comment on preliminary results at mid-project consultations that will be convened to look at emerging evidence and trends. A larger audience would be reached through postings on a dedicated website, partner websites, several published papers, and participation at national and international conferences. On June 23-25 FANRPAN is organizing a workshop in South Africa with two purposes: a) to introduce the project to policy makers and other researchers as a way of obtaining feedback and buy-in as well as to create a network among on-going research projects; and b) to develop specific work plans for implementing the project. This project is supported by BMZ, Germany
Contact:
For More (http://www.fanrpan.org/themes/resources/)
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Household Vulnerability Index (HVI)
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Mr Tendayi Kureya
With support from SADC, FANRPAN had carried out a seven-country study on the relationship between HIV and AIDS, and agricultural productivity at household level (see Silent Hunger report at http://www.fanrpan.org/documents/d00351/). In the course of this study, FANRPAN developed a "household vulnerability index" (HVI). This is a composite statistical index designed to quantify vulnerability of households to shocks. It combines the impacts from a number of variables, and can be used to categorize and therefore target households in terms of their vulnerability; and track the impact of interventions over time. FANRPAN is currently implementing two follow-on projects to scale up and test the usefulness of the HVI.
With support from the Southern African Trust (SAT), FANRPAN is leading a process of regional dialogues and information sharing on the policy implications and responses to the impact of HIV and AIDS on agriculture and food security in the SADC region. This project aims to stimulate an urgent regional policy response towards improved quantification, forecasting and mitigation of HIV and AIDS impacts on agriculture and food security.
FANRPAN is also collaborating with SAT and World Vision International (WVI) in Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe to assess the effectiveness of using the HVI to identify the most vulnerable households appropriate for a given intervention and develop it into a cost-effective management tool that can be used in partnership with communities. The project is scheduled for two years, and is jointly implemented by FANRPAN and WVI through their local partners.
Contact Person:
For More (http://www.fanrpan.org/themes/hiv_aids/)
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Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP)
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The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) was endorsed by the AU Assembly in July 2003. This made-in Africa framework has been adopted by the continent's Heads of State with the goal of improving investment in the agriculture sector. This growth-oriented agricultural development agenda has as its aim to increase national agricultural growth rates to 6% per year through the commitment of governments to allocate at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture. To achieve this goal, CAADP focuses its interventions in 4 key areas or pillars to attain measurable outcomes:
- Pillar 1: Extending the area under sustainable land management and reliable water control systems;
- Pillar 2: Improving rural infrastructure and trade-related capacities for market access;
- Pillar 3: Increasing food supply, reducing hunger, and improving responses to food emergency crises; and
- Pillar 4: Improving agriculture research, technology dissemination and adoption.
The CAADP framework invokes logical and participatory planning processes which ultimately rest on principles of policy efficiency, dialogue review and accountability.
Under the AU mandate, Africa's Regional Economic Communities (RECs) have been tasked with the facilitation and support of country roundtable discussions which will eventually culminate in signed compacts or agreements between all stakeholder parties involved. In February this year, FANRPAN has signed a contract with The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to develop its regional CAADP agreement/compact. FANRPAN will take the lead in this assignment while working together with the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) and the East African Seed Community (EASCOM).
Contact:
For More (http://www.fanrpan.org/themes/food_systems/)
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Institutional Strengthening
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FANRPAN works at national and regional levels to strengthen the network's role in policy processes. With a broad stakeholder base that includes farmer organisations, researchers, governments and the civil society, there is need to ensure that capacity is developed, in the process empowering all to be able to participate effectively in the policy processes. In all member countries, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture serves as the convener for all multi-stakeholder fora.
Whilst the commercial farming sector is organized in Africa, the small-scale farming community is in disarray. This results in the sector's inability to access agricultural inputs, output markets, and critical services from service providers, such as extension. Small-scale farmers must be able to maximize benefits from policy processes, with capacity to articulate their challenges and advocate for an improvement in their circumstances. FANRPAN's focus is on strengthening the capacity of farmer organisations.
The absence of robust databases on development issues in Africa is testimony to the need for continuously re-tooling our scientists and research institutions. Contrary to investing time and effort in short term research project, African researchers must be trained to focus on longitudinal studies that form a basis for in-depth understanding of problems while at the same time affording a reliable dataset from which researchers can derive insights and possible solutions
There is need to invest in creating and nurturing partnerships between and amongst civil society organisations with a view to coordinating their objectives and voices for policy improvement in the field of food, agriculture and natural resources. The uncoordinated approach to addressing the food security challenges across the region has resulted in a waste of resources and small scale implementation mainly because of duplication and lack of sharing of experiences amongst different actors. FANRPAN focuses on creating common platforms where CSOs with common interest can collaborate and speak with one voice. A practical example is the CSOs platform working on Climate Change under ACCID.
The facilitation of multi-stakeholder dialogues, bringing together civil society representatives and senior policy makers, increases regional capacity to use research-based evidence to inform policy making processes and set the basis for evidence based advocacy. With support from USAID, DFID, and CTA, FANRPAN participates in and contributes to regional and international agricultural policy development processes. Its national nodes facilitate national policy dialogues, while the Regional Secretariat organizes annual Regional Policy Dialogues that are well-attended by a wide range of stakeholders including senior policy makers. Through these processes FANRPAN produces numerous newsletters, policy briefs and research reports, and through its web site (www.fanrpan.org) shares information on many agriculture, food security and natural resource management issues.
Contact:
For More (http://www.fanrpan.org/themes/institutions/)
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Communications and Advocacy
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The policy development and implementation environment is a complex one, involving numerous actors with diversified interests. Apart from the difficulties associated with aligning the interests of the numerous stakeholders, one of the major challenges is the need to integrate communications and advocacy as a way of mobilizing common voices and amplifying their views.
Communication is vital to ensure that various policy issues surface and are amplified to a targeted audience for action. Through the FANRPAN Communication and Advocacy function, a deliberate approach that allows for the articulation of issues by the different stakeholder groups across the region, and their synthesis into a regional submission, is provided to actors in the food, agriculture and natural resources sector. FANRPAN realizes that media is a critical and integral stakeholder whose active involvement ensures that the policy development process is responsive to the concerns of other stakeholders by availing a platform for amplifying their voices.
FANRPAN has a deliberate and comprehensive communications and social marketing strategy that features mass and targeted multi-media communication products, and is in the process of integrating its national nodes in the implementation process.
Contact:
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FANRPAN Partnerships and Database
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Mr Lufingo Mwamakamba
FANRPAN has positioned itself well as a provider for evidence-based FANR policies in Southern Africa and internationally. FANRPAN is well-recognized for its capacities in policy research, analysis, and multi-stakeholder consultations and has proven record of working in agricultural development.
FANRPAN has developed strong partnerships at national, regional and international levels with many institutions and undertakes significant policy research on food and agricultural problems facing the southern African region, and promote effective multi-stakeholder dialogues on policy issues. FANRPAN sees a number of opportunities with these key partnerships to influence development programme practice and partnerships for further learning.
FANRPAN has over 45 formal partnerships with international Institutions by way of Memoranda of Understanding, and 13 registered national offices. Below is a summary of number of FANRPAN Partnerships by Stakeholder Grouping:
- Regional Economic Communities (REC ): 2
- Government: 4
- Sub-Regional Organisations: 2
- Farmer Organisation: 2
- Private Sector: 2
- University: 13
- Civil Society Organisations (CSO): 5
- International Organisation and CGIARs: 10
FANRPAN Database
The FANRPAN database / stakeholder directory is intended to bring together its network members. The FANRPAN stakeholder directory is intended to bring together the network stakeholders. The list is drawn from all stakeholders who have engaged with the network through meetings, workshops and other modes of communication. Users are encouraged to use this directory to assist in communicating among themselves in-country, regionally and globally.
Who are the stakeholders of the FANRPAN network?
The strength of the network is its country platforms or nodes whose membership comprise government; farmer organizations; research institutions; private sector; academic institutions of higher learning; policy makers and the private sector. FANRPAN works through its nodes in 11 countries; facilitating networking on food, agriculture and natural resources issues among the mainland SADC countries. The nodes are coordinated by a regional secretariat that is based in South Africa. FANRPAN thrives to ensure that network stakeholders continue to meet, engage in dialogue, inform the research agenda and contribute to the process of establishing a conducive policy environment for the food; agriculture and natural resources sector.
About the directory
The directory is to complement the web-based search engine (www.fanrpan.org/databases) with information on contacts. It paves the way to ensuring that professionals that have been in touch through the network keep doing so.
FANRPAN appreciates that stakeholders often move on; and have therefore developed the web version of the directory as an interactive database where stakeholders have the opportunity to update their own details. FANRPAN will soon host a chat and e-forum platform to encourage debate on topical issues on food, agriculture and natural resources today.
Contact Person:
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Strengthening the Capacity of Women Farmers to Influence Agricultural Policy Development in Southern Africa – Women Accessing Realigned Markets (WARM)
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Ms Sithembile Ndema
The project, Women Accessing Realigned Markets (WARM), seeks to strengthen women farmers’ ability to advocate for appropriate agricultural policies and programs. The goal is for women farmers to have access to the tools that help them farm more successfully, such as access to credit and better seeds, by ensuring that local and national policies and services address their needs.
In Africa, the majority of rural farmers are women. At the same time, research demonstrates women are often excluded from the decision-making process and local governance. As a result, the needs of women farmers are often not reflected in local and national agricultural policy. By empowering women farmers to advocate for their concerns, the WARM project aims to ensure women farmers have what they need to increase their income and provide for their families.
Women are often marginalized in business relations and have minimal control over access to factors of production like land, inputs such as seed and fertilizer, credit and technology. Due to a combination of logistical, cultural and economic factors, they are often not able to benefit fully from development programs and services. The WARM project will use an innovative tool, Theater for Policy Advocacy, to engage leaders, service providers and policymakers, encourage community participation, and research the needs of women farmers. FANRPAN will work with theater groups from Malawi and Mozambique in crafting policy messages to amplify the voices of women and demonstrate the challenges they face.
FANRPAN is piloting the project in two countries-Mozambique and Malawi. Results and findings from these two countries will be extended to other Southern and East African countries with a combined total population of 400 million.
The WARM project will leverage FANRPAN’s experience as a regional multi-stakeholder policy research network to bridge the divide between women farmers, researchers and agricultural policy processes, with the goal of increasing women farmers’ access to markets. FANRPAN will partner with other foundation grantees, including regional and national farmers organizations, national research institutions and universities, community based groups, and national and regional policymakers to ensure farmers have access to markets, extension services, better seeds, adequate fertilizer and other important resources.
This grant is part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Agricultural Development initiative. This initiative is working with a wide range of partners in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia to provide millions of small farmers, most of whom are women, in the developing world with tools and opportunities to boost their yields, increase their incomes, and build better lives for themselves and their families. The foundation is working to strengthen the entire agricultural value chain-from seeds and soil to farm management and market access-so that progress against hunger and poverty is sustainable over the long term.
Contact Person:
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Regional Seed Security Phase II Project: Domestication of Harmonized Seed Policies
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Project Objective
The objective of Phase II of the Regional Seed Security Phase II project is to contribute to food security in the SADC region through the domestication of harmonized, effective and efficient seed systems to enhance availability and access to improved seed varieties to small-scale farmers. This involves working both on legislation framework as well as knowledge management aspects of seeds in the region.
Focus Countries
Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Project Overview
- Project Milestones
- Mapping of current national policy with SADC Protocols
- Providing technical support to standardize procedures and guidelines for seed production, certification, multiplication and distribution, and; to develop codes of conduct for the use of quality seed
- Combining the collaborative mapping of current national policy with SADC Protocols above
- Provide technical support to assist with the development of quality assurance procedures
- Ensure application of common terminologies, standards, procedures, seals and labels
- Endorse common quarantine and phytosanitary measures
- Identification of key stakeholders and conduct of training needs assessments (TNA)
- Development of training curricula and the implementation of related training programmes
- Facilitation of inter-departmental meetings and workshops to enable cross-agency dialogue and the development (and implementation) of ‘joined-up’ action-plans
- Provide assistance to the identification of suitable locations for the certification facilities (where appropriate); provision of technical support to the conduct of physical site assessments, procurement of laboratory equipment
- Provide training on technical operation and asset management
- Establish seed variety database/catalogue; including the development of agreed hosting, governance and management rules, regulations and procedures for collecting, storing and retrieval from the same
- Support to the establishment of an inventory of seed suppliers in the focal countries and lesson sharing
- Provide appropriate support to the SADC Secretariat so it can provide the SADC Council of Ministers with updates, results and recommendations
- Project Deliverables
- Seed variety release policies in Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe aligned with SADC Protocol
- Seed certification policies in the four focal countries aligned with SADC Protocols
- Phytosanitary policies in the four focal countries aligned with SADC protocols
- Measures to operationalise the re-aligned policies are introduced and related capacity of government, civil service and other key stakeholders strengthened
- Seed certification facilities established and successfully functioning in the four focal countries
- Data, information and knowledge created is variously stored, shared and used for awareness-raising, end-user
utilization and evidence-based decision-making by institutions in the SADC region
Contact:
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