2nd APPSA Regional Scientific Conference

1. Background

Agricultural research plays a crucial role to enhance food and nutrition security and agricultural development by increasing agricultural productivity and production to meet the food demands of a rapidly growing population. CCARDESA, through the World Bank supported Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA) and the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), is coordinating the generation and dissemination of resilience promoting agricultural technologies, innovations, and management practices (TIMPs) to enhance production and productivity. One of the key strategies of availing improved TIMPs is through scientific conferences where regional and international researchers gather to share their research findings and exchange experiences. CCARDESA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition of Lesotho, is planning to convene a second APPSA scientific conference, aimed at fostering learning, collaboration and sharing of best practices for improving agricultural productivity and production in the face increasing climate related hazards and different types of global shocks.

2. Who should participate in the Conference

• Researchers, extensionists, and all actors in the Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) space;
• Farmers and Farmers' organisations;
• Policy makers;
• Agro dealers, seed companies and traders;
• Development agencies; and
• Investors in agriculture.

3. Conference outcomes

• Enhanced collaboration amongst researchers, extensionists, policy makers, farmers and farmers' organisations and other actors in the AR4D space to ensure that agricultural research and development outputs are relevant to the current global and regional context, address important cross-cutting issues, and give due attention to key areas in the agricultural sector in the SADC region;
• Increased collaboration, learning, and networking among Scientists in the SADC region and beyond; and
• Shared practical solutions for advocating for more and sustained support and financing of agricultural research.

4. Conference thematic areas

• Crop Improvement: Genetic diversity, including collection, characterization, conservation, and exchange of germplasm; crop breeding and biotechnology;
• Production Systems Management and intensification: Agronomy, including Climate-Smart Agriculture, Soil and Water Management, and Integrated Pest and Disease Management;
• Postharvest technologies, nutrition, and value addition;
• Technology dissemination and Seed Systems; and
• Socio-economic studies, gender and youth.

5. Main conference activities

(i) Keynote presentations by invited guests; 
(ii) Oral presentations of research findings; 
(iii) Poster exhibitions and demonstrations; and 
(iv) Learning tour.

6. Exhibitions and side events

Partners and stakeholders planning to exhibit during the conference, have side events or run special sessions related to the conference theme, will be required to apply through the conference organizing committee. Details will be included in the call for concept notes.

7. Sponsorship

• Organizations or individuals willing to sponsor selected activities of the conference are invited to indicate by responding to a call to be made through the conference webpage.

8. Registration fees and deadlines

1. Background

Agricultural research plays a crucial role to enhance food and nutrition security and agricultural development by increasing agricultural productivity and production to meet the food demands of a rapidly growing population. CCARDESA, through the World Bank supported Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA) and the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP), is coordinating the generation and dissemination of resilience promoting agricultural technologies, innovations, and management practices (TIMPs) to enhance production and productivity. One of the key strategies of availing improved TIMPs is through scientific conferences where regional and international researchers gather to share their research findings and exchange experiences. CCARDESA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition of Lesotho, is planning to convene a second APPSA scientific conference, aimed at fostering learning, collaboration and sharing of best practices for improving agricultural productivity and production in the face increasing climate related hazards and different types of global shocks.

2. Thematic areas for the APPSA Scientific Conference

• Crop Improvement: Genetic diversity, including collection, characterization, conservation, and exchange of germplasm; crop breeding and biotechnology

• Production Systems Management and intensification: Agronomy, including climate-smart agriculture, Soil and Water Management, and Integrated Pest and Disease Management

• Postharvest technologies, nutrition, and value addition

• Technology Dissemination and Seed Systems

• Socio-economic studies, gender and youth

3. Submission of Abstracts and posters

Authors are requested to indicate whether the submission is for an oral or poster presentation. Abstracts should have the following specifications:

• Font: Times New Roman, font size: 12, line spacing: 1.5

• have a short title (concise and informative) that adequately captures the scope of the presentation.

• be written in English, French, or Portuguese

• indicate the authors of the abstract and their affiliations, with the corresponding author clearly marked and contact details provided

• should include a statement of the problem, objectives, methods, and main results and conclusion

• be a maximum of 350 words

• provide keywords for the abstract (up to 5)

Authors are requested to indicate the sub-theme for which they are making submissions. Authors are requested to indicate whether the submission is for an oral or poster presentation. To submit an abstract, visit the REGISTRATION page (https://ccardesa.org/registration-2nd-appsa-scientific-conference) and register as oral or poster presenter. Follow the instructions on submitting the form (making sure you paste the abstract in the space provided).

4. Peer Review and shortlisting of the abstracts

Abstracts will be peer-reviewed by the Technical Committee comprising representatives from stakeholders. The Technical Committee reserves the right to reject or accept an abstract, and their decision will be final. By submitting an abstract, the authors commit that at least one author will attend the conference to present the paper/poster if accepted. In addition, peer-reviewed proceedings of the conference will be published after the conference.

5. Sponsorship

All support will be acknowledged. Please register as sponsor and follow the guidelines if you would want to pledge support.

6. Partnerships, Collaboration and side meetings

Partners and stakeholders wishing to run special sessions and panel discussions under the sponsorship program are requested to register as SPONSOR in the REGISTRATION page (https://ccardesa.org/registration-2nd-appsa-scientific-conference) and CCARDESA will reply with an acceptance letter and further instructions.

7. Important dates

8. Registration fees and deadlines

The 2nd APPSA Regional Scientific Conference is scheduled for 2-4 April 2025 in Maseru, Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. The specific venue will be communicated in due course.

1. Sponsorship

For sponsoship, organizations or individuals are recommended to register as sponsors in the registration page. CCARDESA will respond with an acceptance letter and further instructions.

2. Exhibition

For exhibition, individuals or organizations are recommended to register as exhibitors in the registration page. Exhibitors will be able to pick between 3x3 and 3x6 booth sizes with basic booth furniture to include a Table, 2 Chairs, Waste Bin, Tablecloth, Spotlights, PowerPoint Blue Carpet, Facial Name wastebasket, and power line. Further details will be communicated via an acceptance letter.

Registration will allow preparations for conference attendance; registration name badge & bag; daily lunch & tea/coffee breaks; and the Welcome cocktail/dinner.