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This a presentation by Ms Sarah Beerhalter during the dry season management workshop. The presentation introduces climate change with emphasis on evidence of climate change and suggesting possible adaption measures for the SADC region.

This is a presentation by DR KABELO SENYATSO  during the Dry Season Management workshop in gaborone. The presentation hignlights experiences from ongoing UNDP/GEF-funded projects in Botswana

This is a presentation by Prof C. M. Tsopito during the Dry season management workshop in Gaborone Botswana. The presentation covers definitions of dry season and management. It goes on to explain animal nutrition and health issues during drying season and explains in detail how to manage different challenges.

This is a presentation by Mr A. Mutaure during the Dry Season management workshop. It introduces farmers to budgeting, margin analysis, break even analysis and cash flow statements.

The CCARDESA Fraud and Irregularities policy sets out a framework for prevention, identification, reporting investigation and resolution of allegations of financial irregularity and/or fraud made against employees and/or others associated with CCARDESA.

CCARDESA aims to reinforce its risk management strategies by formalising its position on fraud and irregularities through the implementation of this fraud and irregularities policy. CCARDESA, with all its governance structures, supports and fosters a culture of zero tolerance to fraud and irregularities in all the activities.

The purpose of this study was to undertake an empirical investigation of adaptation “good practices” and define six categories of actions that can be practically considered by governments for scaling-up in order to reduce the risks of climate change.

The focus is on what needs to be in place, in terms of the enabling environment, in order for the good practices to be effectively transferred to other contexts. The report thus intends to provide governments with practical options to consider in order to undertake agricultural adaptation to climate change, based on tangible and proven practices.

Six case study countries were chosen for empirical investigation of adaptation. Within Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, South Africa, Togo and Zambia, agricultural subsectors were chosen to represent various crops and livestock grown under different production systems. The purpose was to ensure that subsectors were investigated in more than one country so that there would be scope to compare different contexts. Categories considered for each adaptation practice were: proof of concept; robustness under projected climate change; environmental and social externalities; acceptability to farmers; accessibility to farmers; productivity; access to markets; support of appropriate institutions; level of government support; effects on women; and then a criteria to capture co-benefits, such as mitigation, biodiversity conservation, or multiple production objectives.

As a result the following six good practice categories are: use of improved seeds; soil fertility management; changing timing of farming practice; changing crop/livestock distribution and density; tillage and associated practices; and diversification.

Climate variability and change is projected to increasingly affect smallholder farming systems in southern Africa and the maize value chain will particularly suffer from the late onset of and more  erratic rainfalls. Heat stress will further affect maize-based cropping systems as temperature is projected to increase by 2.1-2.7°C

This Pilot Study is a summry to address increasing threats of climate change and declining soil fertility, a cross regional agronomic study was conducted in southern Africa, covering 19 on-farm communities in contrasting agro-ecologies ranging from around 500 mm to more than 1800mm of rainfall. The 19 on-farm communities have been under long-term research by CIMMYT and national partners in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The aim of this study was to assess how different climate-smart agriculture technologies perform under a variable climate and to pilot new doubled-up legume systems of groundnuts with pigeonpea in 6 selected target communities.

This study examines the vulnerability to climate variability and change of the conventional maize value chain in the mid and low altitude agro-ecological zones of Malawi, agro-ecological zone II of Zambia and agro-ecological zone III of Zimbabwe. The aim is to develop feasible priorities and strategies for climate variability and change adaptation based on farmer preference. A literature review for the countries Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe was conducted to assess the current and future impact of climate change and variability on the smallholder farming system. A mix of methods, which included participatory vulnerability assessment tools, focus group discussions and key informant interviews among 108 farmers from five communities, complemented the literature review. Data were collected on the current and likely future impacts and sensitivity of the systems and adaptation capacities.

This brochure explains what climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is and what is new and different about it. CSA options and benefits for farmers at a local level are being addressed and examples of best practices, technologies and services given. The enabling environments for CSA at regional and national level are being described and the important aspects regarding equity, gender and youth highlighted. Global climate agreements frame climate action on the ground and the already visible climate change impacts in SADC justify why wee need CSA to ensure agricultural productivity and food security.