TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (STRATEGY) FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE SADC REGION

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research & Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) was established in 2010 by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Member States as the subsidiary organisation of SADC mandated to coordinate agricultural research and development and contributing towards improved regional food security and livelihoods, especially the small-scale farmers and rural communities in general noting that agriculture is the cornerstone for human survival in the SADC region. Most SADC member states' citizens rely on agriculture directly or indirectly as their main source of livelihoods and income. Agriculture contributes about 5% of formal employment and around 2.6% of the region's GDP. Furthermore, agriculture contributes immensely to poverty reduction and economic growth of the region. It is the major source of exports in many countries and contributes on average about 13% to total export earnings and about 66% to the value of intra-regional trade. Investment in agricultural research and development is recognised as a key ingredient to realising the much-needed sector growth, transformation, and productivity. CCARDESA key strategic (2020-2029) focus areas include sustainable management of natural resources and increased resilience to climate change and other emerging agricultural risks, which is achievable through investment in resilience to emerging agricultural risks, whether environmental, climate change and migratory and transboundary in nature and compounded by prevailing negative socio-economic factors.