At a recent policy forum in Mozambique scientists, agricultural leaders and farmers discussed the implications of 8-years of SIMLESA’s results. The forum highlighted several opportunities and lessons learned from SIMLESA on how to improve farmers’ yields while protecting the environment, link them to markets and to stimulate the scaling of new farming techniques. Listen to scientists and farmers explain their experiences in the SIMLESA project. Watch this video; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBwtlgC8uXY&t=91s
The multimedia presentation highlights the major activities of the SIMLESA policy forum co organized by CIMMYT and the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) in Entebbe, Uganda (27–28 October, 2015). The forum’s theme was Mobilizing policy action to scale-up best agricultural practices and was attended by representatives of ministers of agriculture from Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda and Tanzania. Fifty people participated, including representatives from researchers from CIMMYT, national agricultural research systems (NARS), the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (SIMLESA’s funder), international and regional non-governmental organizations, farmer associations, and private companies. The ministers pledged to support sustainable agricultural intensification to maximize benefits. The ministers concurred that enhancing access to a wide range of aspects such as markets, extension services, and inputs, were fundamental policy issues that must be urgently addressed for farmers to get more benefits from agriculture. High on the agenda was determining the policies that would shape an African agricultural market projected to be worth billions of dollars.
This four-minute overview video describes in brief, the activities of the Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Cropping Systems for Food Security in Eastern and Southern Africa (SIMLESA) project. The SIMLESA project’s approach to smallholder farming is transforming maize-legume crop production in Eastern and Southern Africa. The project is helping smallholder, maize-based farmers double or quadruple their yields and income through good agricultural practices.
This 15-minute video provides insights into the SIMLESA multi-partner initiative being implemented in five African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. SIMLESA most notable activity is the breeding of improved maize varieties that meet the specific agro-ecologogical needs of targeted farming systems within the five countries. SIMLESA’s integrated approach is also leading to viable solutions that address key constraints to adoption within maize-legume systems. The initiative is expected to have significant impact over a 10-year timeframe – increasing yields while conserving natural resources and the environment. SIMLESA is supported by CIMMYT, ICRISAT, ASARECA, QAAFI-UQ, Murdoch University, ARC and the Australian Government via ACIAR.
The Australian-funded SIMLESA research program underway in 11 African countries is helping farmers grow drought-tolerant and improved varieties of maize and legumes using conservation agriculture techniques.
The aim is to conserve soil moisture and save farmers’ time by reducing ploughing. Links between farmers and others in the supply chain are being strenghthened to help increase incomes.
SIMLESA is supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), and is run by CIMMYT (the International Maize and Wheat Research Centre) in collaboration with national and regional agricultural agencies, with input from Australia.
CREDITS
This Crawford Fund film set in Tanzania was made by Sally Ingleton of 360 degrees films with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
