| Structure
and organisation |
The Southern Africa Root Crops Research Network (SARRNET)
was launched in September 1993, as a follow up from an
earlier network for Eastern and Southern Africa Root Crops
Research Network (ESARRN). The International Institute
of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is executing the project
with the responsibility of coordinating the network. The
International Potato Centre (CIP) through its regional
headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, is backstopping activities
on sweetpotato and collaborate with IITA on various economic
studies of the network. Twelve Southern African Development
Community (SADC) countries are part of the network. These
are Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique,
Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and
Zimbabwe. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, a recent
SADC member state is not yet a SARRNET country. SARRNET
grouping is working under the umbrella of Southern Africa
Centre for Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Natural
Resources (SACCAR) Board which ensures compliance to legal
requirements on property rights and biosafety in the international
exchange of germplasm. |
The mandate of SARRNET is basically applied/participatory
research and development on cassava and sweetpotato including
demand - led processing and utilisation. Aspects as human
resources development tool (training), information and
technology exchange and institutional capacity building
within SADC governments are also the focus of SARRNET.
Its main applied research objectives are in the fields
of the development and /or introduction and evaluation
of improved germplasm, managing pests and diseases through
an ecologically sustainable plant protection (ESPP) approach,
surveying production systems, development and dissemination
of post harvest technologies and the establishment of
multiplication and distribution systems for improved planting
materials alongside marketing issues..
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Principal
Crops
The principal crops SARRNET is working with are cassava
and sweetpotato. In southern Africa, cassava and sweetpotato
have long been regarded as low value, low status, highly
perishable commodities with only minor roles to play in
the process of agricultural development. Since 1986, the
former network (East and Southern Africa Root Crops Research
Network) and SARRNET have encouraged the member national
agricultural research institutes and other partners to
build teams to test and adapt new varieties and other
technical innovations, and also to identify socioeconomic
opportunities for increased production and marketing.
Recently, cassava and sweetpotato have become important
food crops in the SADC region. The advantages of cassava
and sweetpotato are well documented. These include tolerance
to drought, capability of providing reasonable yields
in agroecologies and seasons where other crops would fail,
low requirements for external inputs such as fertilisers,
flexibility in planting and harvesting periods, convenient
in ground storability, and reduction in soil erosion.
Also cassava and sweetpotato can be used in the preparation
of a variety of processed foods, animal feeds, and as
a source of industrial starch and alcohol. |
Funding
| Funding is provided by
the United States for International Development
(USAID) as the main donor. |
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Additional funds are also obtained from other donors
to complement SARRNET activities either for regional
or bilateral activities. The International Development
Research Centre (IDRC) Canada provided funds at early
stages of SARRNET for regional and bilateral activities.
USAID, Australian Government through World Vision International,
Helen Keller Foundation are providing funding to specific
countries on bilateral cooperation such as Malawi and
Mozambique. Applied research and development being a
dynamic process, SARRNET is regularly seeking donors
willing to support financially its activities.
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Staffing
SARRNET has at present staff located in Malawi
for the coordination office, Mozambique, Tanzania and
Zimbabwe where regional scientists are based. SARRNET
operation in these countries is in collaboration with
National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems
(NARES). The coordination office has locally recruited
support staff such as Research Associates on integrated
project, Documentation, Monitoring and Evaluation, postharvesta
and also Administrative officer, Accountant Assistant,
and secretary.
SARRNET staff list
Dr. Nzola Meso Mahungu (PhD) Coordinator (Breeder)
– based in Malawi
Dr. Idumbo Nsongi Kasele (PhD) Agronomist – based in
Zimbabwe
Dr. Maria Isabel Andrade (PhD) Agronomist – based in
Mozambique
Mr. Sicco Kolijn (MSc) Postharvest/Agric.Eng based in
Tanzania
Local technical staff - Malawi
office
Mr. Vito Sandifolo (BSc) Integrated Projects Research
Associate
Mr. Albert Mhone (BSc) Postharvest/Administrative Officer
Mr. Costa Mwale (MSc) Documentation Officer
Mr. France Gondwe (MSc) Agric.- Economist (Monitoring
& Evaluation)
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Partnerships
Major SARRNET stakeholders have, hitherto, been smallholder
farmers and NARES in the SADC region and International
Agricultural Research Centre (IARC) including CIP, IITA,
Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Centre (ESARC). Adjustments
to demand – led process of technology development and
dissemination have made IITA collaborate with the International
Center of Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) on SARRNET market
opportunities development. SARRNET is expanding its partnerships
as it expands from production to consumption systems.
This includes governments and regional institutions, donors and
policy makers with major interest in food security, employment,
income generation, environment, trade and investment,
equity and gender. Non – research partners for technology
transfer, on –farm testing, processing and manufacturing,
buying and selling, transporting, and storing and packaging
are of SARRNET’s interest. Public extension, local and
international NGOs, farmer associations, women and youth
groups, seed growers and private sector (merchants, processors
etc.) are the targeted partners. |
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Governance
SARRNET is governed by the Steering Committee (SC) which
serves as its technical arm and helps the network to achieve
a broader stakeholder participation. The SC includes membership
of a full range of stakeholders in the production and
utilisation system necessary to deliver improved technology
to farmers and the commercial sector. It encompasses representatives
from SADC universities, the private sector, NGOs, national
research and extension institutions, farmers groups, IITA,
CIP and donors. The network Coordinator is the secretary
of the committee. The SC meets once annually and report
to SACCAR Board through the network Coordinator. |
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SARRNET
Coordination:
Chitedze
Research Station, P.O. Box
30258 Lilongwe 3, Malawi
Phone:
(265) 707014 Fax (265) 707298
Email: SARRNET@malawi.net
Comments and suggestions about
this web site, please address: [Webmaster]
sarrnet@malawi.net
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Thank you for visiting SARRNET Website
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