The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) convened a virtual Implementation Support Mission (ISM) for the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) from 24–25 June 2025. The high-level engagement, led by the World Bank Task Team Leader based in Washington D.C., brought together technical experts from the Bank and CCARDESA’s FSRP Project Implementation Unit (PIU).
The ISM served as a critical platform to assess implementation progress, address emerging challenges, and reinforce coordination under FSRP, which aims to build resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart food systems across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Discussions also looked ahead to the FSRP Mid-Term Review (MTR), which is scheduled to take place before the end of 2025.
Reflecting on Progress
In his opening remarks, CCARDESA Executive Director and Head of Mission, Prof. Cliff Sibusiso Dlamini, expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its continued support, noting that the first half of 2025 was a period of increased visibility, institutional engagement, and growing demand for the Programme from both within and outside the region.
“Through FSRP, we have not only strengthened our institutional relationships but also gained recognition at the regional level,” Prof. Dlamini stated. “CCARDESA now sits permanently on all technical committees of SADC’s Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) Directorate.”
Key achievements highlighted include:
- Policy Harmonization: Support towards the validation and approval of the SADC Regional Agricultural Investment Plan (RAIP) 2023–2030; advancement of regional seed policy harmonization; and the commencement of work towards the development of a regional agricultural trade and market scorecard.
- Regional Centres of Leadership (RCoLs): Completion of a regional needs assessment involving 14 countries, guiding efforts to establish and/or strengthen RCoLs in the region.
- Knowledge and Innovation Platforms: Approval of the SADC Fertilizer and Soil Health Hub by Ministers and continued collaboration with Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) on climate-smart knowledge dissemination.
- Programme Management and Communication: Establishment of regional Monitoring & Evaluation and Information, Communication and Knowledge Management Working Groups; launch of CCARDESA’s first FSRP newsletter, strategic dissemination of knowledge products, and visibility campaigns.
Strategic Engagements
CCARDESA enhanced FSRP visibility and knowledge exchange through its active participation in several key events:
- The first FSRP High-Level Learning Event co-hosted in Ethiopia alongside IGAD, AUC, and the World Bank;
- The Regional Dialogue on Food Systems Transformation, held in Malawi in May 2025, which reaffirmed regional commitment to translating policy into tangible outcomes on the ground;
- The APPSA Regional Scientific Conference in Lesotho, where FSRP outcomes and innovations were showcased to a broad network of researchers, policymakers, and development partners.
“We are thankful to the World Bank for supporting the development of the Soil Health and Fertilizer Hub proposal, which has now been approved by SADC Ministers. We look forward to working with the Bank and other partners on its operationalisation,” Prof. Dlamini noted.
Looking Ahead
In the second half of 2025, CCARDESA will focus on delivering several key regional outputs, including:
- Development of the regional agricultural trade and market scorecard;
- Finalization of a regional e-catalogue of Technologies, Innovations, and Management Practices (TIMPs);
- Expansion of the digital advisory services catalogue developed under APPSA;
- Continued collaboration with SPGRC on seed systems strengthening;
- Continued support towards setting up the SADC regional Soil health and fertilizer hub;
- Support towards development of a SADC regional agricultural extension strategy;
- Facilitating regional training on SPS to facilitate agricultural trade within the auspices of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA); and
- Preparation for the FSRP Mid-Term Review, which will assess progress, refine strategies, and inform forward planning.
Prof. Dlamini concluded by reaffirming CCARDESA’s commitment to addressing any gaps identified during the ISM:
“Our 2025 workplan is ambitious but grounded on tangible regional needs. We remain open to guidance and partnerships that will help us achieve the objectives of this transformative programme.”
A Shared Vision for Resilience
The World Bank ISM reinforces a shared regional vision of sustainable, climate-resilient food systems that ensure food security, support economic development, and safeguard natural resources. It also underscores the role of institutions like CCARDESA in driving this transformation with integrity, collaboration, and evidence-based action.
