National Agricultural Extension Representatives

The deep knowledge of genetic diversity in access, in the breeding program, and the contribution of genetic factors as well as the phenotypic expression is of extreme importance for the development of new cultivars and maintenance of the program. This research aimed to study the genetic diversity and selection of the best common bean genotypes with high agronomic performance in the Agrarian Station of Sussundenga-Mozambique. Twenty-two common bean genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block design with three repetitions in the 2021/2022 agricultural season. The agronomic characteristics evaluated were: the number of days to flowering, plant height, plant architecture, number of pods per plant, the weight of 100 seeds, and grain yield. The data obtained were submitted to individual variance analysis, followed by the Scott-Knott grouping test. For the effect of genetic divergence between the genotypes, multivariate analysis was used based on the generalized Mahalanobis distance and Tocher optimization method, UPGMA, and canonical variables for the projection of distance in the 2D plane. It was also verified by the Cophenetic Correlation Coefficient. The Singh criterion (1981) was used, indicating the characteristics Number of pods per plant (42.81%), the weight of 100 seeds (19.59%), and Plant height (16.08%) as the most important for the genetic divergence of bean genotypes.

RESUMO

A necessidade de fortalecimento da ligação entre a investigação e a extensão (inv&ext) em Moçambique é evidente em vários documentos do setor agrário, desde a década de 1990, e há desconforto na adoção dos modelos de reforço da ligação que têm sido propostos, porque se acredita que existem mecanismos funcionais, ao nível local, que nunca foram considerados e nem estão documentados. A corrente pesquisa analisou as práticas de colaboração e comunicação entre a inv&ext agrária nas províncias de Maputo e Nampula, envolvendo uma amostra de 144 técnicos. A pesquisa revelou que existe uma comunicação frequente e regular entre a inv&ext que tem sido direta e informal. Alguns fatores ligados ao fraco financiamento das atividades de ligação, desmotivação dos técnicos para cooperar, falta de partilha de informação e conhecimentos influenciam negativamente a relação entre estes dois setores.

Palavras-Chave: geração e disseminação das tecnologias; ligação investigação e extensão; partilha de informação, Moçambique.

ABSTRACT

The need to strengthen the linkage between research and extension in Mozambique is evident in several documents of the agricultural sector, since the 1990s. However, there is a discomfort in the adoption of the proposed models for strengthening the linkage, because it is believed that there are functional mechanisms, at the local level, that have never been considered and are not documented. The current research analyzed the collaboration and communication practices between agricultural research and extension in the provinces of Maputo and Nampula, involving a sample of 144 technicians. The survey revealed that there is frequent and regular communication between research and extension, which has been direct and informal. Some factors like the weak funding of linkage activities, lack of motivation of technicians to cooperate, lack of information and knowledge sharing, negatively influence the relationship between these two sectors.

Keywords: generation and dissemination of technologies; research and extension linkage; sharing information, Mozambique.

TORS Development and Validation of the CCARDESA Gender Policy

The use of digital media in collection and disseminating information on various farming technologies and interventions has improved accessibility of information and feedback. It involves the collection and transmission of digitized content through the internet or computer networks and offline mobile applications (app). This includes text, audio, video, and graphics. The Agriv1(agriculture extension application) and Ulimi ndi Nyengo (web-based platform that transmits agriculture advisory services) were rolled out to perform stated actions. The agriculture extension applications and one of the social media platforms, Facebook were used in the dissemination of information through digital media. This form of technology through which information was shared provided end users or project beneficiaries’ easy access to vital information on interventions being implemented by the project.

Despite the adaptation and mitigation measures that have been put in place to counter the negative effects of climate change and food insecurity, more than 57.8 million people in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) population need food assistance in 2023 due to poor harvests (APA 2023). In Botswana, alone, close to 37,000 people need food assistance (FAO, 2022). This comes against the backdrop of declining agricultural productivity attributed to several factors including high cost of inputs, high incidence of pests and diseases, low input use and extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, and erratic rainfalls (FAO 2022).

This document summarises the FSRP programme

Five officials comprising of three (3) Information technology Officers from the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN); One Information technology Officer from DAR as well as the ITKM Specialist from APPSA Project Implementation Unit (PIU) attended the website training in Maseru, Lesotho from the 10^th – 11^th May, 2023. The training was designed to improve the skills on the customization and administration of the DAR website to respond to growing demands from external and internal stakeholders. Five officials comprising of three (3) Information technology Officers from the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN); One Information technology Officer from DAR as well as the ITKM Specialist from APPSA Project Implementation Unit (PIU) attended the website training in Maseru, Lesotho from the 10^th – 11^th May, 2023. The training was designed to improve the skills on the customization and administration of the DAR website to respond to growing demands from external and internal stakeholders.

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), organized a Regional Multi-stakeholder Dialogue event on Vulnerable Farmers’ Access to Fertilizer from 4th to 6th October 2022 in Mbabane, Eswatini.

The Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, through its new variety introduction and evaluation programme, have identified a tomato variety Jupiter adapted to both humid and sub-humid regions of the island. Jupiter is a semideterminate cooking tomato variety with high-yielding potential and suitable for both fresh market and processing. The plant bears long oblong fruits which are preferred by growers and highly appreciated by consumers.

Onion 243 is a short-day yellow hybrid variety with high yield potential and is suitable for storage. Plants have a uniform fall over of leaves at maturity. Bulbs are globular, uniform, medium-sized, and firm. Yield is comparable to hybrid varieties which are commercially cultivated locally. The variety adapts well to onion-growing regions except in coastal areas having sandy soil.