The 2nd Regional Scientific Conference of the Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA) successfully concluded on Friday, 4 April 2025, at the Manthabiseng Convention Centre in Maseru, Lesotho. The conference reaffirmed the critical role of agricultural research and innovation in catalyzing sustainable economic growth across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Held under the theme “Investing in Agricultural Research for Sustainable Economic Growth in the SADC Region”, the three-day event (2–4 April) brought together over 200 participants, including scientists, policymakers, farmers, private sector representatives, and development partners from across Southern Africa and beyond.
The conference served as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and the showcasing of innovative technologies aimed at enhancing productivity, climate resilience, and food and nutrition security.
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Participants engaged in a broad range of thematic sessions and side events, including:
- Climate-smart agriculture and adaptation strategies.
- Crop improvement and seed systems for food and nutrition security.
- Post-harvest management and value addition technologies.
- Technology transfer, adoption, and dissemination models.
- Sustainable intensification and soil fertility management.
Engaging poster presentations featured cutting-edge research and innovations from APPSA implementing countries — Lesotho and Angola — as well as other collaborating institutions. These displays enriched the learning experience and reinforced collaborative ties among Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) stakeholders.
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Strengthening Regional Partnerships
In his closing remarks, Mr. Barnabé Carlos Zandamela, newly elected Chairperson of the CCARDESA General Assembly, extended heartfelt thanks to the Government of Lesotho for graciously hosting the conference. He also acknowledged the continued support of the World Bank, which plays a vital role in advancing the APPSA initiative.
“This conference has showcased the power of science, innovation, and partnerships in transforming agriculture in our region. We hope the collaboration will grow from strength to strength,” said Dr. Zandamela.
A Call to Action
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Dr. Lefulesele Lebesa commended all stakeholders — researchers, sponsors, exhibitors, and international delegates — for their invaluable contributions to the success of the event.
She emphasized the need for targeted research to address pressing regional challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and malnutrition, while reaffirming Lesotho’s commitment to science-led agricultural development.
“Through the support of the World Bank, we were able to come up with technologies that are going to make an impact in our countries,” said Dr. Lebesa.
“We look forward to strengthening agricultural research systems to drive sustainable development across our region,” she added.
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Looking Ahead
The conference concluded with a strong call for continued regional cooperation and sustained investment in research, capacity building, and evidence-based policymaking. Participants unanimously agreed that robust agricultural research systems are essential to achieving food and nutrition security, climate resilience, and economic prosperity in the SADC region.
