Presentation of CCARDESA MTOP

CCARDESA Progress Report - 2012 - 2013

R&D priorities for Southern Africa - Dr Monica Murata from CCARDESA

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COORDINATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA from CCARDESA

FARA ED Keynote - CCARDESA GA from CCARDESA

More than 180 participants attending the First CCARDESA General Assembly

First CCARDESA GA - The Objectives, Methodology and Outputs

It is an African affair

From reporter: Nissaria Kwele

The pregnant clouds outside, and Southern Africans huddles under the roof of Boipuso Hall, may just be a sign of good things to come. Yes, there has never been a better day to discuss the future of Agriculture in Southern Africa. 

The 1st General Assembly for CCARDESA kicks off in bright colors. Excited delegates murmur in readiness to collaborate for the securement of food security of Southern Africa. CCARDESA whose vision among others  is to achieve, ‘A prosperous and food secure Southern African region with vibrant rural lives,’ has seen different organizations from all over southern Africa coming to hold discussions on agricultural issues under the theme, Transforming agriculture in Southern Africa through research.

Among the delegates is seasoned President of National Africa Farmer’s Union of South Africa Motsepe Matlala, who believes that the conference will lead to research finally reaching the farmers on the ground and benefiting them. He says that, ‘this conference is on the track, because we will be able to get hold of research that will enable us to reach the farmers.’

With that, the General Assembly has began and it will be an interesting two days!!!

Botswana traditional dance during the opening ceremony

Programme of CCARDESA First General Assembly

First CCARDESA General Assembly, 6-7 May 2014

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) is a Sub-Regional Research Organisation created by SADC member states to coordinate agricultural research and development in the SADC region. CCARDESA was established in 2010 and formally launched in July 2011. Its headquarters are in Gaborone, Botswana.

Objectives of CCARDESA

CCARDESA was created to:

• Coordinate and promote collaboration among regional and National Agricultural and Development Systems (NARS) through regional and international cooperation;
• Facilitate the exchange of information and technology among members states
• Promote partnerships in the SADC region between public, private, civil society and international organisations in research and development (R&D);
• Improve agricultural technology generation, dissemination and adoption in the region through collective efforts, training and capacity building; and
• Strengthen research and development in States Parties by mobilizing human financial and technological resources to implement and sustain demand-driven activities.

Functions of the General Assembly (GA)

The governance of CCARDESA requires the convening of a General Assembly every two years. Members of the GA comprises participants drawn from Ministries responsible for Agriculture and Food Security, the agro industry, agricultural education institutions, farmer organizations and civil society from each State Party. The functions of the General Assembly include to:

• Elect the Chairperson of the General Assembly;
• Recommend to State Parties Ministers, for approval, regional research and development priorities for CCARDESA;
• Approve, monitor and evaluate the CCARDESA strategic direction;
• Appoint, renew or terminate the services of external auditors for CCARDESA;
• Recommend, to State Parties Ministers, new members on CCARDESA Board identified by the sitting Board;
• Form its own committees, as necessary.

Purpose of the First CCARDESA General Assembly

This First CCARDESA General Assembly will primarily focus on providing an opportunity for research and development stakeholders to give guidance on the governance related issues of CCARDESA.