The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) took stock of the implementation of the Agricultural Productivity Program for Southern Africa (APPSA) regarding scientific trials, infrastructure and acquired equipment during a field visit held on the 16th of September in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. The visit covered the Agricultural College, National University of Lesotho (NUL) as well as Maseru, Nyakosoba and Machache Research stations.
In Maseru Research Station, CCARDESA delegates visited the improved and fully equipped infrastructure for APPSA Project Implementation Unit (PIU) housed at the Department of Agriculture Research (DAR) headquarters. The visit included Plant Protection, Seed, Soils and Biotechnology Laboratories. In addition, delegates were exposed to successfully procured and acquired agricultural implements under APPSA, namely: 2 Holland tractors, 1 Sheller, 1 Planter, 1 Boom Sprayer and 1 Mower. APPSA Lesotho has also acquired 5 double cab bakkies and 1 single cab bakkie.
The Lesotho Agriculture College (LAC) is a longstanding partner of DAR, the main implementer of APPSA in Lesotho. CCARDESA also toured the different facilities used be LAC for agricultural research, which is mostly done in collaboration with DAR and NUL.
The sample of scientific trials ongoing in Lesotho under APPSA were visited in Nyakosoba and Machache research stations as well as the National University of Lesotho. Delegates visited trials on peach trees collection and characterization as well as sorghum selection. It was also possible to appreciate the fencing project under infrastructure for both research stations. Indeed, under infrastructure, APPSA is also considering building accommodation for researchers in research stations. An important observation made during the site visits is the support the project is receiving from traditional authorities. APPSA Lesotho has also made a deliberate and very important decision to source manual labour for construction projects from communities neighbouring the different project sites.
On the last day of the mission (17/09/2021), Scientists from Lesotho will present progress achieved in implementing the 8 R&D sub-projects that were inherited from the first phase countries under APPSA (Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia).
