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The Competitive Cashew initiative - ComCashew (formerly African Cashew initiative - ACi) is a private-public partnership project under the implementation of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Currently in its third phase, ComCashew focuses on building a sustainable cashew value chain and increasing the competitiveness of African cashew production and processing by constituting a new era of multi-stakeholder partnership in development cooperation.

The ComCashew Matching Fund is a unique private-public partnership model and the only fund for cashew worldwide set up to accelerate the development of the cashew industry. After its introduction in September 2012, there are 27 Matching Fund projects being implemented in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Mozambique. Farm productivity and farmer income ultimately benefit from public and private investments. Business linkages are strengthened with the Fund. This allows reduced transaction costs and assures quality and traceability.

GCF Funding Proposal

Zambia Renewable Energy Financing Framework

Presentation held by Udo Hoeggel during the Climate Finance and Proposal Writing Training.

The presentation talks about climate change basics and is setting a baseline of understanding.

The overall objective of the Second Climate-Smart Agriculture Manual for Agriculture Education Workshop was to gather critical feedback on the draft chapters in the climate-smart agriculture manual by the recruited consultants. The Workshop also sought to lay the foundation for subsequent work on the climate-smart agriculture strategy and policy framework, specific activities described in the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) Technical Assistance Response Plan. The Second National Workshop albeit the first in a series of the formal review process is not the last activity as the review process will continue in early 2017 to include further adjustments within the chapters, stakeholder and technical validation, and final approval by the Government of Zimbabwe of the completed climate-smart agriculture manual.

The participants who attended the Second National Workshop were from various backgrounds such as climate change, agriculture, and food security. They clearly expressed their doubts, appreciation, and suggestions in the ten presented chapters by the recruited consultants. The chapters were put into four groups namely: Productive sector, Environment, Cross-cutting Issues/policy, and Systems Thinking. The consultants openly received both positive and negative criticism, and subsequently indicated their resolve to revise the chapters. The Workshop also set the precedence for possible partnership with other local and international funded programmes in the country, much of which hinges of the completed climate-smart agriculture manual. Participants recommended for the work ahead paying attention to the requirement that the completed manual should be as practical and relevant as possible primarily to Diploma students in agricultural colleges.

The report provides information for a wide stakeholder base on the role of fisheries in food and nutrition security in SADC. It is a result of a study commissioned by CCARDESA to develop collaborative activities with strategic partners in implementing initiatives targeted at ensuring that the region realises the benefits that can be derived from fisheries.

This brochure was developed by CCARDESA to highlight constraints of adopting mechanization in Conservation Agriculture and possible suggestions to improve mechanization in CA.

Regionally as well as internationally, Conservation Agriculture research has proven to show numerous benefits, as it is evident that multiple donors continue to invest in the promotion and the adoption of CA technologies. These benefits range from:

• Improved soil fertility and moisture retention, resulting from long-term yield increase, decreasing yield variation and greater food security.
• Stabilizes soil and reduce erosion.
• It contributes in the reduction of surface water and groundwater contamination.
• Reduces on-farm costs: saving in time, labour and mechanized machinery.

This brochure explains the concept of Conservation Agriculture, its benefits and how to deal with pests and diseases when adopting conservation agriculture.

Maize is an important strategic crop which is grown by millions of farmers in the SADC region as both a food crop and a cash crop. This staple food of most countries in the SADC region is threatened by the occurrence of the Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) which has been reported in East Africa. The disease was first reported in Kenya, (South Rift Valley – Bomet and Naivasha districts) in September 2011, although its extent at that point suggested that the disease had been present for some time. MLND has also spread rapidly into Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan (FAO, 2013).
Recent reports indicate high possibilities of this disease spreading to the Southern African countries which if not contained could result in devastation and food insecurity to the SADC region from possible crop failure and reduced yields given the role of maize as the main staple crop for many countries in the region. Maintaining vigilance and taking proactive action by all key stakeholders is necessary to manage this threat