CCARDESA Facilitates Strengthening of Technology Dissemination Strategies for APPSA R&D Sub-projects implemented in Angola and Lesotho

One of the greatest challenges among scientists, policy makers and agricultural project implementers is to ensure that farmers benefit from improved technologies generated through the research system. Well-articulated dissemination methods and approaches can be effective in delivering timely, relevant, and tailored information on agricultural technology to both extension officers and farmers.

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), through the Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA), is facilitating the design and strengthening of dissemination strategies for improved technologies among R&D sub-projects implemented in Angola and Lesotho. This initiative is in line with some of the key recommendations of the recent World Bank Implementation Support Mission (ISM).

According to the Project Appraisal Document (PAD), every R&D sub-project financed under APPSA should have a dissemination plan and support activities designed to ensure that new technologies do not remain “on the shelf”. About 56 delegates from Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia are currently gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa to harmonize their technology dissemination strategies and approaches.

The meeting in Johannesburg has also provided a platform for experiential learning for experts under the APPSA Project Implementation Units from Angola, Lesotho and CCARDESA.