Cape Town, South Africa – A crucial milestone was marked for agroecology in Southern Africa as key stakeholders gathered at the Lagoon Beach Hotel on February 25-28, 2025, for the Inception Meeting of the Research for Agroecology Network in Southern Africa (REANs) Project. CCARDESA is coordinating an EU grant on establishment of a Regional Multi-actor Research Network led by the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa.
The project brought together a diverse consortium of 8 institutions, comprised of Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in Malawi, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) in Tanzania, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) in Zimbabwe, Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) in Zambia, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Switzerland, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Zambia and Malawi, and Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) in Germany. The meeting, attended by government representatives, researchers, farmers, and development partners, set the stage for a collaborative effort to advance agroecological research and implementation in the region.
Dr. Baitsi Podisi, the REANs Coordinator at CCARDESA, highlighted the importance of fostering collaborations, stating, "We need to be open to implementing agroecology activities with other organizations because there are other people doing similar work. "
The European Union (EU), a sole funder of the initiative, reaffirmed its support for agroecology in Southern Africa, with Mr. Tebogo Matlhare, from the EU Delegation in Botswana, emphasizing that Brussels is closely following the program’s progress. He expressed confidence in the region’s ability to excel, stating, "We have no doubt that, as Southern Africa, we will outshine ourselves. There were challenges at the beginning of this program, but we made it here." Mr. Matlhare also noted that the EU sees significant investment opportunities in science, technology, and innovation (STI), which are critical for sustainable development and the green transition. He encouraged stakeholders to ensure that the program moves beyond academic research to focus on practical implementation, aligning with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Additionally, he emphasized the importance of transparency in EU funding and procurement policies, urging partners to seek clarification when needed to avoid misprocurement.
Dr. Malu Ndavi stressed the necessity of long-term sustainability and strategic investment in agroecology. He pointed out that, “We must think beyond the project timeline and ensure that the structures we put in place today can sustain agroecology research and implementation well into the future.” He also urged stakeholders to take a practical, results-oriented approach, ensuring that interventions under the RAENS project yield measurable impact in the region. CCARDESA’s role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the RAENS Project was emphasized by key CCARDESA staff members who provided critical guidance in their respective fields.
Dr. Frank Kayula, a CCARDESA Board Member and Chair of the CCARDESA Programmes Committee, during his opening remarks highlighted the urgency of adopting sustainable agricultural practices. He cautioned that ignoring nature’s signals could have dire consequences, stating, “If we don’t follow what nature wants, nature will speak to us through floods. If we continue applying unnecessary fertilizers, nature will respond, leading to food insecurity.” Kayula further emphasized the importance of food sovereignty and the need to reduce dependence on food imports, adding, “We can’t depend on Russia and Ukraine for food and be affected when they are fighting.
Let us have food sovereignty.” Dr. Frank Kayula further emphasized the critical role of agroecology in building resilience against climate change, which continues to disrupt farming and food systems across Southern Africa. "Agroecology forms one of the tools that can enable the region to develop resilience and contribute towards mitigation of the impact of climate change," he stated. Acknowledging the importance of indigenous knowledge in sustainable agriculture, he added, "There is a wealth of indigenous knowledge which can be harnessed to upscale solutions that can serve humanity to produce food sustainably without degrading the environment." Dr. Kayula further urged stakeholders to leverage the Research for Agroecology Network for Southern Africa (RAENS) project as a platform for promoting innovation, sustainability, and collaboration across the region.
Mr. Simon Mukuze (Finance Manager), Mr. Dagmore Tawonezwi (Monitoring and Evaluation Officer), and Mr. Benedict Makara (Procurement Officer) outlined the financial, monitoring, and procurement procedures essential for effective project execution. Their insights helped clarify key implementation processes, ensuring alignment with EU regulations and project objectives.
Discussions at the meeting underscored the importance of agroecology in ensuring food security, resilience, and sustainability in Southern Africa. The dominance of maize in the region’s food systems was brought into question, with experts advocating for crop diversification and the promotion of drought-resistant crops like sorghum to enhance agricultural resilience.
Prof. Rachel Wynberg, DSI/NRF South African Research Chair for Environmental and Social Dimensions of the Bio-economy at UCT, emphasized the need for diversification, stating, “Maize is the dominant crop for food security. However, we need to look at diversification and consider sorghum as one of the go-to crops.” The meeting also highlighted challenges and misconceptions surrounding agroecology, with stakeholders acknowledging that some farmers remain skeptical about transitioning to agroecological practices.
Prof. Rhett Harrison from ICRAF (Zambia) emphasized the complexity of agroecology, stating, "Agroecology is very complex, and there are all sorts of transitions that are expected to take place." The RAENS Project inception meeting also benefitted from insights provided by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) team, who actively participated in the inception meeting. Dr. Kwaku Antwi from FARA shared about a related continental agroecology initiative implemented by FARA and RUFORUM, which plays a key role in enhancing collaboration and knowledge exchange within the agroecology sector.
Meanwhile, Dr. Brittany Kesselman from the University of Cape Town provided a detailed overview of the RAENS Project, outlining its objectives and expected outcomes. Her presentation clarified the project’s multi-actor, transdisciplinary approach to agroecological research and innovation in Southern Africa. The goal of the RAENS project is to grow a robust, innovative, and sustainable transdisciplinary agroecology research and knowledge network in Southern Africa. Specifically, to: (i) establish an agroecology research network: (ii) developing a learning network; Undertake knowledge management and communications: and (iv) to enable evidence-based policy analysis and advice. A critical aspect of the REANs initiative is ensuring gender equity in agroecology.
Dr. Stha Yenii presented on gender and agroecology, highlighting the disproportionate burden on women in household and farming responsibilities. She stressed the need for targeted support and urged implementing partners to incorporate gender-disaggregated data in their reporting. CCARDESA ICKM Officer Mrs Bridget Kakuwa-Kasongamulilo reinforced the need for inclusivity, advocating for the documentation of success stories that highlight the impact of agroecology on marginalized groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities. She emphasized, "We need to use a gender lens to ensure equal opportunities for both men and women. If men have cows, women need to have cows too—not just men with cows and women with chickens."
The meeting concluded with a series of critical action points aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the RAENS project. One of the major takeaways was the finalization of financing agreements to ensure seamless execution. Stakeholders also emphasized the need to strengthen collaboration and communication within the network and develop measurable indicators to track progress and impact. Additionally, transparency in financial reporting and procurement processes was stressed as essential for the credibility and sustainability of the initiative.
Towards the end of the meeting, a session to inaugurate the RAENS Advisory Board was held in a hybrid format, bringing together selected stakeholders and experts to provide strategic guidance on the implementation of the Research for Agroecology Network in Southern Africa (RAENS). The University of Cape Town (UCT) presented an overview of the RAENS initiative and its implementation plans, setting the stage for discussions on governance and the role of the Advisory Board, which was elaborated on by CCARDESA.
A key highlight of the meeting was a presentation on the global context in which RAENS is operating, delivered by a representative from the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC), Dr Caroline Callenius. The JRC plays a crucial role in supporting evidence-based policymaking by providing scientific data and analysis on global food and nutrition security. The Advisory Board learned how through their Farming Practice Evidence Library, the JRC compiles and disseminates valuable insights on sustainable agricultural practices, helping policymakers, researchers, and farmers make informed decisions.
Additionally, the Knowledge Centre for Global Food and Nutrition Security serves as a hub for monitoring food systems, assessing vulnerabilities, and guiding strategies to enhance resilience in agriculture. This was followed by a dynamic discussion exploring linkages and capacities among stakeholders, aiming to enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange. The RAENS Inception Meeting marked the beginning of an ambitious initiative to champion agroecological research and practice in Southern Africa. Discussions reinforced the need for strong partnerships, gender inclusivity, and measurable impacts in implementing agroecological solutions.
With only four years to execute the project, stakeholders were urged to act swiftly and collaboratively to ensure the region's meaningful transformation of agricultural systems. As the SADC region grapples with climate change, food insecurity, and economic challenges, the REANS Project presents a unique opportunity to harness agroecology as a tool for resilience, sustainability, and food sovereignty.
