Story by Yolanda Moyo
SENIOR regional officials from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have convened in Victoria Falls for a two-day meeting focused on addressing the region’s food security challenges and the growing threat of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
The technical meeting, running on Wednesday and Thursday, is laying the groundwork for the Joint Meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for Agriculture, Food Security, Fisheries and Aquaculture scheduled for Friday.
The discussions come at a critical time as member states assess the region’s food security outlook following a mixed rainfall season that affected agricultural production in parts of Southern Africa.
Officials are reviewing crop performance across the region while also examining early climate forecasts for the upcoming summer season as part of efforts to strengthen preparedness against future climate shocks.
A major focus of the meeting is the containment of Foot and Mouth Disease, which continues to threaten livestock production and regional trade.
Following directives issued by the SADC Council of Ministers in Pretoria in March, delegates are working on a coordinated regional response that includes enhanced cross-border surveillance, harmonised vaccination programmes and improved information sharing among member states.
The interventions are aimed at safeguarding livestock-based trade and protecting rural livelihoods that depend heavily on agriculture.
Delegates are also reviewing strategies designed to increase youth participation in agribusiness while harmonising regional regulatory systems covering seeds, fertilisers and plant health standards.
In addition, the meeting is evaluating the state of regional fisheries and the blue economy, with particular attention being given to the genetic improvement of tilapia species and the ongoing review of the SADC Aquaculture Strategy.
Recommendations and outcomes from the technical sessions will be presented to ministers on Friday, with final resolutions expected to shape the region’s long-term agricultural and food security policies under the SADC Vision 2050 framework.
