The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) facilitated a joint review and planning meeting under the Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA). This activity was held from 12 to 16 December 2022 in Johannesburg, South Africa with attendance from Regional Centers of Leaderships (RCoLs) and Project Implementation Units (PIUs) staff from APPSA Angola, Lesotho and CCARDESA.
The review and planning meeting allowed implementing partners to reflect on the discussions and recommendations emanating from the just ended APPSA Mid-Term Review (MTR), which was led by the World Bank from November 21st to 2nd December 2022. The 2023 National and Regional Annual Workplans have incorporated key recommendations from the MTR.
APPSA is a six-year World Bank funded initiative based on collaborative implementation of Research and Development (R&D) sub-projects among implementing countries with regional coordination by CCARDESA. Under APPSA, Angola is establishing the RCoL on Cassava and Cassava-based farming systems whereas Lesotho is establishing the RCoL on Horticulture and Horticulture-based farming systems.
Among the key considerations for 2023 is the strengthening of the dissemination component of approved Research and Development (R&D) sub-projects to enhance the achievement of APPSA targets as stipulated in the project results framework. This will be complemented by an increasing and regular documentation and reporting of impact stories through concerted efforts between the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) function and Information, Communication and Knowledge Management (ICKM). Construction and rehabilitation of research infrastructure in Angola and Lesotho is another priority activity for 2023, which will be implemented in compliance with World Bank requirements on social and environmental safeguards. While some work has already been undertaken under the latter, more speed and diligence will be required from both countries to achieve major targets before the project closing date of January 2025.
The joint review and planning discussed APPSA 2023 Workplan as a follow up of the Mid-term review recommendations
