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Agricultural scientists developed new bean varieties adapted to low soil fertility and extreme weather event including drought, which are the major factors limiting agricultural productivity in Mozambique. The new bean varieties are drought tolerant and phosphorus-efficient, have the potential to yield almost double that of local varieties, ie, between 1.5 to 3.0 ton/hectare, and represent different market classes and consumer preferences. Adoption of the new varieties is crucial for increasing production and productivity of common bean (Sevilla, 2013; Smith & Findeis, 2013). However, it is recognized that many farmers may not adopt the new varieties but continue to grow varieties not well adapted to current soil and climatic conditions. Low adoption may result from differences in variety performance in stressed environments that farmers face in their own fields as compared to what happens on station/demonstration plots. Similarly, the potential mismatch between farmer preferences and new variety traits, higher labor or other input requirements for new varieties coupled with the difficulty in accessing newly-released seed slows adoption. Recognizing that dynamic power relations, often defined by gender roles, influence men and women’s access to information and new technology adoption, this research examined how farmers evaluate and identify their preferred common bean traits.

L’AIC va au-delà des pratiques et technologies innovantes tel que les variétés résistantes à la sécheresse et les mesures de conservation de l’eau. Pour atteindre les multiples objectifs de productivité, sécurité alimentaire, résilience améliorée de l’agriculteur et émissions de gaz à effet de serre réduites, l’AIC doit adopter une perspective systémique.

Climate change is projected to have serious impacts on the agriculture of southern Africa, affecting food availability, creating local production shortfalls and resulting in rising commodity prices. This report highlights the risks to agriculture and food systems that may occur in two counties of the region, Malawi and Zambia. The analysis uses the conceptual framework of climate-related risk from the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to examine the impacts that climate change is likely to have on agriculture and food security. Country-specific trends in temperature and rainfall and projected impacts are summarised from the literature. The vulnerability of the agricultural sector in each country is discussed in relation to its sensitivity to change and coping and adaptive capacity, and the risks of climate change on agriculture and small-scale farmers in the two focus countries assessed. A prioritisation process is then carried out to rank different commodities in each country, with respect to four dimensions: the importance of the commodity to the economy of the country, the national yield gap compared with the regional average, the importance of the commodity in people’s diet, and the projected impact of climate change on yield. The results of the analysis highlight three commodities that could be prioritized for agricultural development interventions: maize, potatoes and beans in Malawi, and maize, pulses and sorghum in Zambia.

This presentation made during the tackling climate change in agriculture training in Zimbabwe, talks about climate change elements and  interventions in the RAP.

CV format for submission of credentials for registration as a CCARDESA expert.

This global overview is useful but it’s also important to understand whether there are differences in threats between different geographic regions and whether similar species are affected by them in different ways. The Living Planet Index, a rich source of this information, can tell us about threats at the species population level. This more granular level of data has already highlighted different responses in different species of penguins in western Antarctica.

The Living Planet Index also tracks the state of global biodiversity by measuring the population abundance of thousands of vertebrate species around the world. The latest index shows an overall
decline of 60% in population sizes between 1970 and 2014. Species population declines are especially pronounced in the tropics, with South and Central America suffering the most dramatic decline, an 89% loss compared to 1970. Freshwater species numbers have also declined dramatically, with the Freshwater Index showing an 83% decline since 1970. But measuring biodiversity – all the varieties of life that can be found on Earth and their relationships to each other – is complex, so this report also explores three other indicators measuring changes in species distribution, extinction risk and changes in community composition. All these paint the same picture – showing severe declines or changes.

This is the 2nd volume of a collection of stories by SADC Secretariat to inform SADC citizens and enhance awareness about the positive impacts of SADC  protocols, agreements, policies and strategies.  It seeks to paint an accurate picture of how SADC regional integration programmes are changing the lives of SADC citizens for the better. Just to highlight a few, at the Zambezi River, there is the construction of the Kazungula Bridge that will soon form a major transport link in the heart of the SADC region. In Malawi, there is the Bvumbwe tomato, which was developed to address the specific conditions of this region and the needs of the SADC population.  And in Namibia’s Walvis Bay and Mozambique’s Nacala, there are two entry points to the growing network of development corridors alongside which the SADC region will develop in the coming decades.

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach to address the interlinked challenges of food
security and climate change, and has three objectives: (1) sustainably increasing agricultural
productivity, to support equitable increases in farm incomes, food security and development;
(2) adapting and building resilience of agricultural and food security systems to climate
change at multiple levels; and (3) reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture
(including crops, livestock and fisheries). This paper examines 19 CSA case studies, to assess
their effectiveness in achieving the stated objectives of CSA, while also assessing other cobenefits,
economic costs and benefits, barriers to adoption, success factors, and gender and
social inclusion issues. The analysis concludes that CSA interventions can be highly effective,
achieving the three CSA objectives, while also generating additional benefits in a costeffective
and inclusive manner. However, this depends on context specific project design and
implementation, for which institutional capacity is key. The paper also identifies serious gaps
in data availability and comparability, which restricts further analysis.

The maize-legume system cropping guide is a practical 88 manual focusing on good agricultural practices for maize-legume production that promote integrated soil fertility management.

The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) and partners developed a website presenting the climate-smart agriculture (CSA) approach to food security and sustainable development. The website aims to help practitioners, researchers and decision-makers working with or interested in CSA. The site helps you get started and guide you on the ground, connecting you with all the resources you need to dig deeper. For countries following up on their commitments under the Paris Agreement, CSA Guide is a useful tool to set up mitigation and adaptation initiatives in agriculture.