APPSA Supports the Improvement of Research Infrastructure in Lesotho
APPSA Lesotho has also already completed procurement of different research equipment for the RCoL
The Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA) is a six-year regional programme supported by the World Bank and coordinated by the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA). APPSA seeks to promote a regional approach to agricultural research, technology generation and dissemination by supporting the strengthening and scaling up of RCoLs on commodities of regional importance.
APPSA is currently supporting the improvement of agricultural research infrastructures at different research stations in the Kingdom of Lesotho as the country establishes the Regional Centre of Leadership (RCoL) for horticulture crop farming system.
Lesotho under APPSA is establishing the RCoL for Horticulture in Maseru but will also have 4 Regional Research Offices (RROs) in Mokhotlong, Mahobong, Siloe and Nyakosoba. Infrastructure development in Lesotho includes rehabilitation of irrigation systems for the country’s five Regional Research Stations, rehabilitation of the main office block for PIU staff, and temporary water connections at the four Regional Research Offices. Lesotho’s improved research infrastructure is expected to enhance the capacity of the horticultural RCoL in conducting research, reduce research costs as well as improve research and knowledge dissemination efficiencies.
As the RCoL for Horticulture, Lesotho is positioned as the regional hub for horticulture research and development and will lead in the technical coordination of R&D sub-projects related to horticulture-based farming systems. The RCoL will assume the national and regional coordination role for Research & Development and will collaborate with other APPSA implementing countries being Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.
The implementation of research activities by the RCoL will be funded through an R&D sub-project mechanism that facilitates regional collaboration to ensure that APPSA investments generate not only national but also regional benefits. The R&D sub-projects will support research, technology dissemination, training, knowledge management and other activities that will contribute to and benefit from enhanced regional collaboration.
APPSA has established fully operational RCoLs on Maize, Legumes and Rice based farming systems in Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique, respectively. It is also currently supporting the establishment of the Cassava RCoL in Angola.
