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This presentation gives an overview of the CCARDESA Knowledge Management  Systems

This presentation gives an overview of Knowledge Management In the SADC Region

This presentation is about the Botswana CAADP Youth Network Involvement in the BR Performance Review

This presentation is about the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020 - 2030

This presentation is about the Malabo Implementation Status in Southern and Eastern Africa

This presentation is about an overview of the Malabo Commitements

This a presentation of  the CAADP-XP4 Programme 

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important staple food in Mozambique but its production is facing constraints such as drought, floods, cyclones, soil infertility, diseases, and pests, being drought one of the most limiting factor. To meet the challenge of producing under such conditions, it is important to invest on breeding programs to produce maize varieties that are resistant and adaptable to the present agroecological conditions. Maize is a C4 plant that evolved a biochemical mechanism of concentrating CO2 to overcome the oxygenase activity of Rubisco, which makes C4 plants photosynthetically more efficient than C3 plants. We Hypothesized that the levels of enzymes involved in photosynthesis (PEPC, PPDK, NADP-ME, and RubisCO) and their Post Translational Modifications (PTMs) correlate with the photosynthetic capacity of maize plants under drought stress. To examine their potential role as molecular markers for drought tolerance, we will make use of cutting-edge proteomics techniques. We will also provide data on agronomic performance and nutritional quality of the maize grain grown under the Greenhouse conditions in ITQB and under the local practices and agroecological conditions in Mozambique. We will use maize B73 as a control to test three varieties from Mozambique: Matuba, ZM523, and ZM 309. The main goal of the present project is to contribute with knowledge and important data that can be added to Mozambique’s maize breeding programs.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of age at weaning of calves on non‐ esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and reproductive parameters of beef cows. Animals (n = 65) were randomly assigned to three treatments after calving: hyper‐early weaning (W30) at 32 ± 0.89 days, early weaning (W75) at 77 ± 0.95 days, and conventional weaning (W180) at 183 ± 0.82 days. Body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were evaluated at parturition (AP) and at 30, 45, 64, 81, 100 and 115 days postpartum (dPP). Blood samples were collected to analyze NEFA levels and progesterone (P4) at 30, 45, 64 and 81 dPP. Higher BW and BCS were observed from 64 to 115 dPP in W30 cows than W180 ones (p < 0.05). Cows subjected to W30 condition had higher levels of NEFA at 30 dPP compared to 64 and 81 dPP (p < 0.05). We also observed that cows from W180 group showed decreased levels of NEFA at 30 dPP compared to 45 (p < 0.01) and 64 dPP (p < 0.05). The highest P4 level was observed at 64 dPP in W30 cows compared to W75 and W180 (p < 0.05). We also observed higher CR of W30 (86%) compared to W180 (47%) at 45 dPP (p < 0.05). The overall pregnancy rate (PR) was higher for W30 (95.5%) than W180 (73.9%). In addition, higher BW at calving and P4 levels at 30 dPP were positively correlated with the possibility of pregnancy (p < 0.05). Improvement in BW and BCS were observed in cows subjected to hyper‐early weaning management. However, levels of NEFA decreased as the postpartum period progressed. We concluded that cows who weaned calves hyper‐early have greater chances of increasing cyclicity and PRs.

Agricultural scientists developed new bean varieties adapted to low soil fertility and extreme weather event including drought, which are the major factors limiting agricultural productivity in Mozambique. The new bean varieties are drought tolerant and phosphorus-efficient, have the potential to yield almost double that of local varieties, ie, between 1.5 to 3.0 ton/hectare, and represent different market classes and consumer preferences. Adoption of the new varieties is crucial for increasing production and productivity of common bean (Sevilla, 2013; Smith & Findeis, 2013). However, it is recognized that many farmers may not adopt the new varieties but continue to grow varieties not well adapted to current soil and climatic conditions. Low adoption may result from differences in variety performance in stressed environments that farmers face in their own fields as compared to what happens on station/demonstration plots. Similarly, the potential mismatch between farmer preferences and new variety traits, higher labor or other input requirements for new varieties coupled with the difficulty in accessing newly-released seed slows adoption. Recognizing that dynamic power relations, often defined by gender roles, influence men and women’s access to information and new technology adoption, this research examined how farmers evaluate and identify their preferred common bean traits.