Concept note of the 2nd APPSA 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