Agricultural Input, Service Providers and NGOs

The Validation Workshop for the draft Climate-Smart Agriculture Manual brought together senior technocrats in the Government of Zimbabwe Ministries: Agriculture, Mechanization and Irrigation Development and Environment, Water and Climate, with other approved experts to give the final input to the draft Manual.

The work funded by the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) and with the lead implementer, United Nations Environment Programme – Technical University of Denmark, has brought to the forefront issues that concern agriculture and climate change to the attention of all stakeholders in Zimbabwe.

The draft Manual was approved (with amendments) by the senior technocrats in the Government of Zimbabwe and stakeholders represented. What follows next, is the official launch of the Climate-Smart Agriculture Manual for Agricultural Education in Zimbabwe, followed by the Training of Trainers and concluding work to the year-long Technical Assistance to Zimbabwe.

The eyes of some 180 000 Namibia’s communal crop farmers  are firmly focused on the implementation of the European Union’s Conservation Agriculture Project for Namibia via the International Food Organisation (FAO) after N$40 million was approved for this proven practice. This will be emphasised in strong terms after the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has indicated that it will celebrate the World Day to Combat Desertification on June 17 in Omuthiya with special focus on conservation agriculture (CA). 

Namibia is one of the most arid countries south of the Sahara. Around 70 % of the population lives in rural areas. Fishery, tourism and agriculture form the basis of the country's economy. However, the economy is held back by low demand for domestic products as well as high transport costs and competition with products from South Africa. Climatic variability is a common phenomenon in Namibia, exhibited by persistent droughts, and unpredictable and variable rainfall and temperatures. Land degradation - soil erosion, bush encroachment, deforestation - and desertification are increasingly a threat to agricultural productivity. Climate change reports predict an increase in temperature and a lower amount of rainfall. Changing patterns and intensity of rainfall are likely to increase the rate of soil erosion, affecting crop production and livestock. An increased incidence and severity of extreme weather events such as flooding will worsen soil erosion and destroy crops. Climate change will affect the agricultural yield directly through changes in temperature and precipitation, and indirectly through changes in soil quality, pests, and diseases. In response this project aims at enhancing the adaptive capacities of farmers, pastoralists and natural resource managers to climate change in agricultural and pastoral systems. The project is working to develop and pilot a range of effective coping mechanisms for the reduction of the farmers' and pastoralists' vulnerability to climate change and variability. The following coping mechanisms were chosen for the project intervention: Improved seeds, Aquaculture, Livestock, Rainwater harvesting, Conservation agriculture, Drip irrigation, Buffalo grass. As target group 500 farming households were chosen. 

A brief overview of adaptation options and measurements

The CCARDESA Secretariat wishes to invite applications from qualified and competent candidates who are nationals of the SADC member countries to fill the position of Internal Auditor.

The main aim of the Conference was to have a dialogue on matters relating to climate change as it affects agriculture in Southern Africa, to share lessons and progress made. The first part of the conference dealt with presentations from a number of countries in Southern Africa on their experiences and coping mechanisms, and this was followed by a session primarily dedicated to South African experiences.

This report presents the proceedings of the Climate Proofing and CSA Training in Cape Town in October 2016.

Sucess Story of ‘Pache Pache’ - this is an old popular saying in Lambaland, meaning ‘bit-by-bit’. In Kapiri-Mposhi, Central Zambia, Pache Pache refers to a Seed Growers Association of smallholder farmers which was started in 2008 with a membership of thirty (30) to grow soybean and cowpea seed.

A review of pesticide regulations and a summary of registered pesticides. Key findings:

• There are 158 registered active ingredients, incl. 49 HHP
• In the groundnut and soybean value chain best practice approaches to pest managements are already being practiced
• Increased pest monitoring, biopesiticides, improved and resistant varieties can support more effective pest management
• Need for awareness-raising among farmers and advisers on pest identification
• Policy-level support to incentivise the use of less toxic pesticides and increase availability and use of safer alternatives

Este é o 2o volume de uma coleção de histórias do Secretariado da SADC informando os cidadãos da SADC e criando consciência sobre impactos positivos dos protocolos, acordos, políticas e estrategias. A ambição é de ilustrar precisamente como os programmas de integração regional da SADC mudam as vidas dos cidadãos da SADC para o melhor. Para destacar alguns, no rio Zambezi, está em construção a Ponte Kazungula que vai em breve formar uma maior ligação no coração da região SADC. Em Malawi tem o tomate Bvumbwe, evoluído para responder às condições específicas da região e às demandas da população da SADC. Em Walvis Bay, Namibia, e Nacala, Mozambique, existem dois pontos de entrada para a rede crescendo de corridores de desenvolvimento, justapostos, qual a região SADC quer desenvolver na próximas decadas.