APPSA R&D Subprojects presented in the Angola 17th Agricultural Scientific Council

Scientists leading Research and Development (R&D) subprojects under the Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA) in Angola, have successfully presented their preliminary results during the country 17th Agricultural Scientific Council held from the 14th to the 16th of March 2022 in Malange Province, Angola. Presiding over by the event was the Vice-Governor for Policies, Social and Economic Sector of Malange, Mr. Domingos Manuel Eduardo, the State Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Mr. João Bartolomeu Cunha, and Director of Agricultural Research (IIA), Dr João Ferreira Neto.

The Council, which brought together about 75 participants including scientists, head of research stations and research programmes, technical staff, and Government representatives, was aimed at providing a platform to discuss the current agricultural research status in Angola through the sharing of preliminary results of key R&D projects under implementation in the country.

According to Mr. Domingos Manuel Eduardo, who was speaking on behalf of the Governor of the Malange Province, the implementation of projects with a strong research component such as APPSA is a clear indication that the Government is very concerned about improving the current condition of the agricultural sector in Angola. His sentiments were echoed by Mr. João Bartolomeu Cunha who added that APPSA in Angola, is the main driver for expanding access to agricultural technologies as well as increasing productivity in the country.

Vice-Governor for Policies, Social and Economic Sector of Malange Province (left) and the State Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (right), highlighted APPSA contribution in strengthening agricultural research in Angola.

Angola is currently implementing 18 R&D subprojects under APPSA, covering the country’s research priorities including critical commodities for food security such as maize, beans, cassava, sorghum, among others. Most of the APPSA R&D subprojects in Angola are co-implemented with scientists from the Kingdom of Lesotho.

APPSA is a six-year World Bank funded project currently under implementation both in Angola and Lesotho with regional coordination from the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA). Lesotho is establishing the Regional Centre of Leadership on Horticulture whereas Angola is focusing on Cassava and Cassava-based farming systems.