The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) convened its 4th General Assembly at the Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru, Lesotho, on April 1st, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for agricultural development in the SADC region.
Bringing together policymakers, researchers, agricultural universities, development partners, private sector representatives, NGOs, and farmers, the assembly provided a platform to review progress, share insights, and define strategies for transformative agricultural research and development.
Officially opening the assembly, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition, Thabo Mofosi, commended CCARDESA for its efforts in addressing climate change impacts, advancing agricultural research, and promoting food and nutrition security across SADC.
“We must promote inclusive agricultural technologies, especially those targeting women and youth,” he emphasised, applauding the decision to hold the General Assembly annually to accelerate regional progress.
Acknowledging the role of development partners, academia, and the private sector, Mofosi expressed confidence in CCARDESA’s leadership in guiding the region towards a food-secure future.
CCARDESA Executive Director, Prof. Cliff Dlamini, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Lesotho for hosting the assembly and to all delegates, partners, and stakeholders for their active participation.
“Your presence and engagement symbolise our shared commitment to transforming agriculture in the SADC region,” he stated, reaffirming CCARDESA’s dedication to driving regional collaboration and innovation for sustainable agricultural development.
Prof. Lala Razafinjara, Chairperson of the CCARDESA Board, welcomed delegates and urged the region to invest in local innovations to combat poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition.
“Now, more than ever, we need stronger regional cooperation and strategic use of policy frameworks to support our research and development efforts,” he noted, acknowledging the contributions of farmers, the private sector, non-state actors, and development partners.
Dr. Grace Kaudzu, Chairperson of the CCARDESA General Assembly, highlighted the organisation’s achievements, reaffirming its role in driving the regional implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and the SADC Regional Agricultural Investment Plan (RAIP).
“CCARDESA continues to embody the spirit of collaboration and learning that our region so deeply needs,” she stated, underscoring the completion of CCARDESA’s revised Long-term Strategy and Medium-term Operational Plan.
She also highlighted the growing confidence in CCARDESA’s Secretariat, exemplified by its nomination to host the Regional Soil Health and Fertiliser Hub by the SADC Secretariat.
Key decisions made at the General Assembly included the approval of the Terms of Reference for the Quality of Science Committee and the endorsement of new Board Members to be presented to SADC Ministers responsible for Agriculture and Food Security.
The CCARDESA Board Chairperson also presented the organisation’s current project portfolio, detailing major milestones, implementation progress, and regional impact.
Stakeholders received updates on CCARDESA’s efforts to forge partnerships across Africa and beyond to support agricultural research, development, and innovation.
These partnerships include collaborations with African sub-regional and continental agricultural research and innovation coordination organisations such as AFAAS, ASARECA, CORAF, FARA, and RUFORUM, as well as One CGIAR and other international research centres.
The General Assembly concluded with the election of new leadership, with Mozambique, represented by Dr. Barnabas Carlos Zandamela, assuming the Chair, and Namibia, represented by Dr. Grace Kangueehi, elected as Vice Chairperson.
