Photo: FAO Mozambique /X Mozambique has officially launched the second phase of the Support to the Operationalization of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (STOSAR II), a strategic initiative aimed at transforming agriculture and agrifood systems across Southern Africa. The announcement was made on October 13 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries (MAAP), in ...

Tanzania’s escalating trade dispute with South Africa and Malawi took a sharper turn this weekend as officials confirmed a blanket ban on agricultural imports from both countries. The move, which affects avocados, maize, and citrus, has sparked concern across regional trade corridors. The Tanzanian government cites phytosanitary risks and unfair trade practices as justification, but ...

SADC Member States have strengthened their capacity to implement the International Plant Protection Convention’s (IPPC) Generic ePhyto National System (GeNS) following a hands‑on training under the European Union (EU)-funded Support Towards the Operationalisation of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (STOSAR II) Project. The week‑long workshop held in Johannesburg, equipped plant health officials with the skills, ...

The second annual meeting of the Coordinating Unit for Animal Production and Health (CUFAPH) under the FAO Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS) was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing together 30 national animal health experts from across Southern Africa, regional organizations, and FAO technical staff. CUFAPH is a multidisciplinary platform established in 2020 to ...

Amid growing food insecurity and malnutrition across Southern Africa, parliamentarians are stepping up to drive legislative solutions. From 22 to 24 July 2025, parliamentarians from across the region – are gathering in Johannesburg, South Africa, for a high-level meeting and training organized by the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization ...

Image: iStock The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) is seeking a partnership with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the areas of agriculture, science and research. This follows a meeting between Professor Patrick Okori, the executive secretary of RUFORUM, and Dr Judith Kateera, the acting executive secretary of the SADC. ...

Christian Thierfelder, Principal Scientist at CIMMYT, poses in a field that is being tested for conservation agriculture at Henderson Research Station, Harare, Zimbabwe. Credit, Busani Bafana/IPS BULAWAYO, Dec 05 (IPS) – On the dusty plains of Shamva District in Zimbabwe, Wilfred Mudavanhu’s maize field defies drought. With the El Niño-induced drought gripping several countries in ...

Sub-Saharan Africa is witnessing a digital revolution in the agricultural finance landscape. The digitalisation of agricultural financing is seen as a pivotal strategy to enhance financial inclusion. This initiative is particularly targeting rural smallholder farmers who are entrapped in extreme poverty. However, the process has been hindered by the limited capability of financial institutions (FIs) ...

A number of young people from southern Africa will be given training in the role of technology in the development of agricultural practices. The virtual training course opens on 27 September in the South African city of Johannesburg. There is no longer any doubt about the urgent need for climate-smart agriculture in southern Africa. Recognising ...