Harare
– The
Government
of
Zimbabwe,
in
partnership
with
the
Food
and
Agriculture
Organization
of
the
United
Nations
(FAO),
the
Southern
African
Development
Community
(SADC)
Secretariat,
and
the
European
Union
(EU),
officially
launched
the
second
phase
of
the Support
Towards
the
Operationalization
of
the
SADC
Regional
Agricultural
Policy (STOSAR
II)
project.
STOSAR
II
(2025–2028)
is
a
EUR
10
million
initiative
funded
by
the
EU
under
the Development
of
Smart
Innovation
through
Research
in
Agriculture (DeSIRA)
programme.
The
project
builds
on
the
achievements
of
STOSAR
I
(2018–2024)
to
accelerate
the
transformation
of
agriculture
and
food
systems
across
the
16
SADC
Member
States,
including
Zimbabwe.
“The
first
phase
of
STOSAR
demonstrated
that
through
coordinated
action,
we
can
begin
to
unlock
this
potential.
Zimbabwe
was
recognised
as
a
top
performer
in
STOSAR
I,
and
today,
we
are
not
here
to
simply
rest
on
those
laurels,
but
to
build
upon
them.
We
are
here
to
learn
from
our
experiences
and
to
ensure
STOSAR
II
delivers
even
greater,
more
tangible
impacts
for
our
farmers
and
our
nation,”
said
Dr
Obert
Jiri,
Permanent
Secretary
in
the
Ministry
of
Lands,
Agriculture,
Fisheries,
Water
and
Rural,
in
a
keynote
address
officially
launching
the
project.
FAO
is
proud
to
partner
with
the
Government
of
Zimbabwe,
the
SADC
Secretariat,
and
the
European
Union
in
delivering
STOSAR
II.
By
investing
in
agricultural
information
systems,
plant
and
animal
health,
food
security
monitoring,
and
value
chain
development
for
market
access,
this
initiative
will
help
transform
Zimbabwe’s
agriculture
into
a
more
resilient,
inclusive,
and
sustainable
sector.
“Following
this
launch,
we
will
engage
in
discussions
to
define
national
priorities
and
comprehensive
work
plans
for
Zimbabwe
under
STOSAR
II
project.
These
deliberations
will
be
critical
in
ensuring
that
STOSAR
II
delivers
meaningful
results
that
directly
respond
to
the
needs
and
realities
of
Zimbabwe’s
farmers,
agribusinesses,
investors
and
communities,”
said
Patrice
Talla,
FAO
Subregional
Coordinator
for
Southern
Africa
and
Representative
to
Zimbabwe.
The
EU
is
proud
to
support
STOSAR
II
as
part
of
its
broader
commitment
to
sustainable
agricultural
transformation
across
Africa.
“With
an
EU
contribution
of
€10
million,
it
will
help
knit
together
the
region’s
efforts:
improving
how
information
is
shared,
reinforcing
protection
against
cross-border
pests
and
diseases,
enhancing
food
and
nutrition
security
monitoring,
and
ensuring
that
smallholders,
women,
and
youth
are
part
of
the
opportunities
created,”
said
Sara
Piccoli,
Programme
Manager
–
Unit
for
Agriculture,
Environment
and
Trade
in
the
Delegation
of
the
European
Union
to
the
Republic
of
Zimbabwe.
STOSAR
II
launch
marks
an
important
milestone
for
Zimbabwe.
The
continuation
of
this
project
will
help
strengthen
agricultural
systems,
enhance
food
security,
and
empower
farmers,
women,
and
youth
to
fully
participate
in
value
chains
that
support
national
development
priorities.
The
STOSAR
II
project
in
Zimbabwe
is
set
to
drive
agricultural
transformation
through
four
strategic
focus
areas.
These
include
enhancing
agricultural
data
systems
to
support
evidence-based
policymaking,
strengthening
plant
and
animal
health
to
boost
market
access
and
trade,
improving
food
and
nutrition
security
through
robust
monitoring
and
early
warning
mechanisms,
and
promoting
inclusive
value
chains
that
empower
women,
youth,
and
SMEs
to
thrive
in
sustainable,
climate-smart
agricultural
markets
supporting
regional
integration.
STOSAR
II
is
strategically
positioned
to
advance
the
SADC’s
regional
food
security
agenda
by
promoting
harmonized
approaches
to
agricultural
health,
nutrition,
and
trade.
Through
its
multi-sectoral
design
and
emphasis
on
regional
integration,
the
project
supports
the
implementation
of
the
SADC
Regional
Agricultural
Policy
and
the
RISDP
2020–2030.
“By
strengthening
Zimbabwe’s
capacity
to
manage
transboundary
pests
and
diseases,
improve
food
safety
standards,
and
enhance
agribusiness
competitiveness,
STOSAR
II
contributes
to
building
a
resilient
and
integrated
regional
food
system.
The
project’s
outcomes
are
expected
to
facilitate
cross-border
trade,
reduce
food
insecurity,
and
foster
sustainable
agricultural
growth
across
the
SADC
region,”
said
Elma
Zanamwe,
STOSAR
II
Project
Coordinator.
The
successful
launch
of
the
STOSAR
II
project
in
Zimbabwe
marks
a
pivotal
step
towards
strengthening
the
country’s
sanitary
and
phytosanitary
systems
through
inclusive
and
collaborative
planning.
Over
two
days
of
intensive
dialogue,
thematic
presentations,
and
participatory
group
work,
stakeholders
from
government,
FAO,
the
EU,
and
technical
experts
will
jointly
identify
priorities
and
validate
thematic
workplans.
This
process
will
culminate
in
the
development
of
a
co-owned
roadmap
that
reflects
shared
commitments,
national
priorities,
and
a
unified
vision
for
implementation.
The
roadmap
not
only
builds
on
the
achievements
and
lessons
of
STOSAR
I
but
also
sets
a
clear
trajectory
for
coordinated
action
under
STOSAR
II,
ensuring
that
Zimbabwe’s
agricultural
health
systems
are
resilient,
responsive,
and
aligned
with
regional
and
international
standards.
Source:
Zimbabwe
launches
STOSAR
II
project
to
boost
agricultural
production
and
market
access