Unknown

While a number of studies have confirmed the effectiveness of hermetic storage of beans and cowpeas in sealed containers to reduce losses due to bruchids (weevils) and other insects (Baoua, Margam, Amadou & Murdock, 2012), adoption of this method has been slow in much of Africa. In some cases, this is due to a lack of triple bags, jerry cans, or other technologies that can prevent oxygen from passing through the material. However, in most cases it is due to lack of knowledge and training of farmers in how to use these methods. With the increase in diffusion of chemicals such a malathion dust, rat poison and aluminum phosphide, which can have both short and long-term negative impacts from eating, handling or inhaling the vapors, it is important that farmers understand that chemical-free methods can be safer and more effective.

Seed quality can have a major impact on potential crop yield. Previous research found that about 60% of the crop yield in small cereals such as rice relies on the varietal genetic potential. In Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and other developing countries, rice is grown as a food and cash crop by smallholder farmers whose productivity, production and marketing potential are yet to be reached.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) in Lesotho held a one-day Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Second Malabo Declaration Biennial Review (BR) Report Validation Workshop for all stakeholders in the agricultural sector. CAADP is Africa's Policy Framework for Agriculture and Agriculture-led development. It is aimed at reducing poverty and increasing food security in the continent through at least 10% public budget allocation to the sector in order to achieve at least 6% agriculture annual growth rate.
The Principal Secretary (PS) of MAFS, Mr. Malefetsane Nchaka officially opened the Workshop and thanked the participants for their attendance. He encouraged them to own the CAADP process as a sector and should not only be the responsibility of MAFS as the leading Ministry. He also acknowledged the presence of Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System (ReSAKSS) at the validation workshop The PS mentioned that the first BR report was presented in January 2018 at the AU Ordinary Session, and Lesotho’s score was 3.7 out of 10 which did not reflect well on the country. The PS further encouraged the sector to do more in whatever may be required by asking the participants to provide with data as required so that when this current BR report is presented, Lesotho should have a better score than the 2018 score. 
  
The Lesotho CAADP Focal Person, Mr. Khesa presented the report on the results of the first Biennial Review where among the seven commitments, Lesotho scored an overall of only 3.7/10. Based on this score, the following were the recommendations that the country needs to consider in order to achieve a far better score in the next biennial review reporting. The recommendations were:
•    Lesotho should increase public agriculture expenditure as share of total public expenditure in line with the Malabo Declaration commitments, and stem the decline in the area of irrigated land.
•    The country should do more to integrate the youth and women in agricultural value chains.
•    The country should strengthen agriculture data collection and management systems (monitoring and evaluation) to ensure that missing under and unreported indicators are reported in the next round of the Biennial Review. Data was not available on the following areas: 
I.    Post-Harvest Loss;
II.    Farm Pastoral and Fisher Households that are resilient to climate change and weather related risks; and
III.    Participation of women in agriculture with access to finance.

The next Biennial workshop will be held in 2021. 
 

The Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) held a one-day workshop in Maseru, Lesotho 
on the Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) and the Environmental and Social Monitoring 
Framework  (ESMF)  papers. These  documents  were  submitted  in  compliance  with  the 
Environmental Act of 2008 for application of  environmental clearance for DAR’s  research 
project under APPSA. The objective of the workshop was to validate  and review  these two 
documents.  

The brief discusses the key messages that transpired during the Conference on Scaling held on 29─30 November 2018 at the Melia Hotel in Hanoi, hosted by CCAFS SEA, co-hosted by ACIAR and GIZ, and funded by a CCAFS Small Grant Cross-CRP Networking. The conference main points include: scaling up agricultural innovations takes place in complex systems of agricultural transformation, and sustainable scaling should build into “sustainable change at scale”.

This booklet presents a collection of previously unpublished or ongoing research and interventions related to climate-smart agriculture (CSA), with emphasis on experiences in Eastern and Southern Africa. The visual material contained herein offers researchers, development workers and policy-makers teaser insights into new tools, methodologies and data to support CSA scaling efforts. The 35 contributions in this booklet answer to five key questions that currently obstruct the efficient and effective implementation of CSA agendas.

Dr. Baitsi Podisi from CCARDESA sat for an interview on the weekely radio programme Farmers Diary, on Gabz FM. The interview was originally aired on Thursday 18 April 2019. For more on Farmers Diary please visit: http://www.gabzfm.com/index.php/gabzfm-show-details/id/15/farmers-diary/  

alawi is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, with an economy driven predominantly by the agricultural sector that accounts for one third of the GDP and nearly 80 percent of employment. Agriculture is considered the engine of Malawi’s economic growth since, between 2005 and 2011, more than 80 percent of the country’s total exports were agricultural commodities, primarily tobacco, sugar and tea. Tobacco alone however, represents an average 60 percent of Malawi ́s total exports.1 The manufacturing and agricultural sectors work together in their contribution to the overall growth of the economy, which in 2013/14, registered an average GDP growth rate of 5.2 percent. In particular, the 2013 growth in manufacturing was attributed to usage of higher volumes of raw agricultural inputs and a more constant supply of fuel and other raw materials.

The launching of Sanitary and Phytosanitary border inspection took place on the 10th of January 2019 at the Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) Maseru, Lesotho. This event was graced by the presence of the Principal Secretary (P.S) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, SADC Trade Related Facility (TRF) Coordinator, EU Representative, Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA)-Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Lesotho National Farmers Union (LENAFU), Representatives from the private sector and other government officials.

The CCARDESA Fraud and Irregularities policy sets out a framework for prevention, identification, reporting investigation and resolution of allegations of financial irregularity and/or fraud made against employees and/or others associated with CCARDESA.

CCARDESA aims to reinforce its risk management strategies by formalising its position on fraud and irregularities through the implementation of this fraud and irregularities policy. CCARDESA, with all its governance structures, supports and fosters a culture of zero tolerance to fraud and irregularities in all the activities.