Southern African agricultural research management training

The SP will be implemented by the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) and the Southern African Center for Cooperation in Agricultural Research (SACCAR). Some 20 training events are planned overall, targeting research administrators (mid- and senior-level) and policymakers. Training will be tailored to the specific needs of the nine participating Southern African countries, with smaller countries grouped for joint training events. Two joint activities are planned: (1) a 2-week seminar for research leaders from the two Portuguese-speaking countries (Mozambique and Angola); and (2) a seminar for research managers from Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland. More comprehensive research management improvement programs will be conducted over a 4-year period in the four countries with large national agricultural research systems (Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). The programs will probably include the following elements: initial workshops in which mid-level and senior research managers will design a national management improvement plan; a basic course on research management for a cross section of personnel; annual in-depth workshops on a particular aspect of management; and follow-up activities (TA or specialized training) to more strongly link SP training to a particular institutional context. On the regional level, a 5-day policy seminar on constraints to agricultural research will be held during the first year of the SP to bring together research directors, secretaries of agriculture and finance, and deans of agricultural faculties from the nine participating countries and build support for research efforts. A second seminar will be held with national research directors in year 4 to review progress. Training materials development will be an ongoing activity of the SP.