Coordination of CA at both Regional and National Levels G.K. Gaboutloeloe

Synopsis The Conservation Agriculture Regional Working Group (CARWG) was established by FAO in 2007 with the purpose of coordinating the activities of organizations working to support the introduction and promotion of CA in the SADC region. The CARWG works in partnership with a network of National CA Task Forces (NCATF) which coordinate stakeholders within individual countries. The ultimate aim is to support and promote the adoption by farmers of packages of CA techniques that are appropriate to their agro-ecological situation and farming practices.

Vision The vision of the network of the CARWG and NCATFs is that CA is adopted by farmers throughout the region leading to increased production and farm profitability and sustainable farming systems. The techniques of CA will be widely understood at all levels of the agricultural sector and research and training institutions will have adapted their work to include CA. Policies supportive to the adoption of CA will be developed and implemented.

CARWG MISSION The Mission of CARWG is to provide a platform for the coordination of stakeholders working at a regional level e.g. African Conservation Tillage Network (ACT), FANRPAN to tackle the various constraints on the adoption of CA in order to achieve the Vision. The group will provide strategic support to the NCATFs. They will develop programmes to tackle issues that are regional in nature.

NCATFs MISSION The Mission of each NCATF is to provide a platform for the coordination of stakeholders working within that country to tackle the constraints on the adoption of CA in order to achieve the Vision. The group will raise awareness and lobby at all levels within their country and develop programmes to ensure that CA becomes a leading farming practice.

ROLES OF CARWG AND NCATFS The roles of the different groups are broadly the same but working at the relevant level as shown in Table 1 in the circulated document. Each group should agree their own specific activities as they work to achieve the Vision and may change this list by agreement.

ROLES OF NCATFs Coordinate the work of stakeholders with a national perspective on CA development. Develop and run national projects related to CA promotion Provide support and input to CARWG for regional initiatives. Resource mobilization for national CA activities Capacity building and training in CA at a national level Identify and facilitate national and farm based research on the local adaptation of CA principles. Share research findings at a national level and disseminate findings of wider interest through CARWG. Advocate and support national policy development to encourage CA adoption Networking and sharing of information on CA at a national level Advocate nationally and locally for the adoption of CA Develop national standards in line with regional recommendations and strategies to roll out CA Develop and implement guidelines for NCATF members and others seeking funding through the NCATF for CA activities.

MEMBERSHIP OF NCATFs Members of the NCATF should be individuals and representatives of organizations which are active in the promotion of CA or have a major supporting role to play in carrying out the Mission In Botswana we have already proposed the following institutions for inclusion into NCATF to CARWG but alterations could still be made – Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA) (Chair, Secretariate) – Dept. of Agric. Research – Dept. Crop Production – NAMPAAD – Dept. of Env. Affairs – Veld Products Reseach – Thusano Lefatsheng – Botswana Agricultural Union – Dept. of Animal Production – University of Botswana – Dept. of Forestry – Dept. of Research Science and Technology

Botswana NCATF Formation and activities As stated before we submitted a wish list of stakeholders to CARWG but we have not formalized the composition of NCATF as yet. A proposal for NCATF formation and activities was forwarded to FAO for funding. The new SADC-COMESA-EAC tripartite agreement on climate change is committed to fund NCATFs formation in several countries where it is not yet in place such as Botswana

MEMBERSHIP OF CARWG Members of the CARWG should be individuals and representatives of organizations which fulfill the criteria of having a clear regional mandate in relation to CA and/or have active programmes in at least 3 countries related to CA. In addition, the group includes the Chair of each NCATF. SACAU,ACT, FANRPAN,CIMMYT,ICRAF,GART,ICRISAT

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