CCARDESA

This morning, Jean-Marc Bouvet, Regional Director for Southern Africa and Madagascar at CIRAD, paid a courtesy call on CCARDESA to strengthen collaboration and explore possible revisions to the existing MoU to address emerging priorities. The CCARDESA team was led by Executive Director Cliff Sibusiso Dlamini.
CCARDESA and CIRAD have worked closely together on agricultural research, innovation, and resource mobilization. CIRAD has also supported CCARDESA by seconding Dr Jérôme Queste, whose expertise has helped strengthen partnership development and fundraising efforts. The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both institutions to deepen collaboration and jointly advance sustainable agricultural development, innovation, and climate resilience in Southern Africa.

CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY
CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

CCARDESA invites qualified and experienced consulting firms to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the Recruitment of an Executive Director for the CCARDESA Secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana.
Interested firms with proven experience in executive search and recruitment are encouraged to apply.

CLOSING DATE: 22/06/2026

For detailed Terms of Reference and submission requirements, visit https://www.ccardesa.org/assignment-title-engagement-firm-recruit-ccardesa-executive-director-ccardesa-secretariat-botswana

🌍🇲🇬 Madagascar Launches the Update of Key Agricultural Sector Strategies

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock and the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy of Madagascar, has officially launched the study to update the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Sector Programme (PSAEP) and the National Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Investment Plan (PNIAEP) through the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), a World Bank-funded initiative.

The initiative forms part of the implementation of the Kampala Declaration under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and aims to provide Madagascar with an updated strategic framework to guide the development of the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors over the next decade.

The review will help address emerging challenges, including climate change, evolving policy priorities, and rising production costs, while supporting increased productivity, value addition, market access, and food systems resilience.

🔗 Read the original story in French:
https://www.ccardesa.org/psaeppniaep-lancement-de-la-mise-jour-des-cadres-strategiques-du-secteur-agricole-de-lelevage-et-de

🌍📱 Africa is taking a major step towards a connected digital agriculture future!

From 3–5 June 2026, the African Union Commission (AUC) convened Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) implementing countries, development partners, and key stakeholders in Lilongwe, Malawi, to advance the harmonisation of digital agriculture strategies across Africa.

As countries invest in digital advisory services, farmer registries, climate information systems, market platforms, and agricultural data systems, the need for alignment has never been greater. The workshop focused on creating a common framework that promotes interoperability, stronger data governance, improved farmer services, and regional integration.

The meeting also contributed to the development of an AU–REC–Member States Policy Alignment and Implementation Roadmap, which will guide the rollout of the African Union Digital Agriculture Strategy and support the transformation of Africa's agri-food systems through coordinated digital investments.

🔗 Read the full story:
https://www.ccardesa.org/auc-convenes-recs-and-fsrp-implementing-countries-advance-digital-agriculture-harmonisation-africa



African Union | SADC | Malawi Government | IGAD Secretariat | Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa - FARA |

Celebrating the Year of Pastoralists and Rangelands

Don't miss!!!

Call for Papers: 4th Biennial Africa Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Stakeholders Conference

Researchers, academics, students, policymakers, development practitioners, and private sector actors are invited to submit papers for the 4th Biennial Africa Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Stakeholders Conference, taking place on 28th July 2026 as part of the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week in Abuja, Nigeria.

Theme: "Optimising CSA for Agroecology Transition, Biodiversity Conservation, and Youth Engagement in African Agriculture"

📅 Abstract Submission Deadline: 26 June 2026
📍 Conference Date: 28 July 2026

Accepted papers will be peer-reviewed and published in the conference proceedings.

📧 Submit papers to: [email protected] (copy: [email protected])

For more information on Paper submission🔗 https://bit.ly/AASW9CSAcall4papers

CCARDESA Supports Irrigation Farming in Chipata
By Gloria Siwisha
Dear Esteemed Colleagues,
A total of 140 households in Chief Saili’s chiefdom of Chipata District are set to improve their livelihoods following the establishment of a modern solar-powered irrigation scheme designed to promote year-round production of high-value crops and strengthen resilience to climate change. To learn more, follow the link below: https://www.ccardesa.org/ccardesa-supports-irrigation-farming-chipata
Thank you for your continued support!

CCARDESA Supports SADC Ministers in Navigating the Impact of Global Geopolitical Tensions on Agriculture and Food Security
Dear Esteemed Colleagues,
The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) contributed to high-level regional discussions on strengthening Southern Africa's resilience to global geopolitical shocks during the SADC Retreat of Ministers of Foreign Affairs held from 22–24 May 2026 in Skukuza, Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. To learn more, follow the link below; https://www.ccardesa.org/ccardesa-contributes-sadc-ministers-foreign-affairs-deliberations-geopolitical-tensions-agriculture
Thank you for your continued support!

H4H Partners Strengthen Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Systems for Climate-Resilient Rangeland Restoration
Dear Esteemed Colleagues,
Stakeholders from Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia gathered in Gaborone last week for the Herding for Health (H4H) Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Working Group Meeting, reinforcing their commitment to strengthening evidence-based approaches for sustainable rangeland restoration, climate resilience, and improved livelihoods across Southern Africa. To learn more, follow the link below: https://www.ccardesa.org/h4h-partners-strengthen-monitoring-evaluation-and-learning-systems-climate-resilient-rangeland
Thank you for your continued support!