7 May, 2018

Cabmacc conference flyer
Sub-Saharan Countries primarily depend on agriculture for economic growth and livelihoods. However, due to many factors including political and institutional challenges as well as unsustainable practices in agriculture, agro - ecolog y and overall natural resource management, majority of the households especially rural smallholder farmers are continually food insecure and have limited livelihood opportunities especially in the wake of climate change. The need for implementation of knowl edge - based sustainable agro - ecological and natural resource management systems and best practices cannot be over - emphasised. In Malawi, one of the programmes being implemented is the Capacity Building for Managing Climate Change in Malawi (CABMACC) whose overall goal is to improve livelihoods and food security through innovative responses and enhanced capacity of adaptation to climate change. The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) is implementing the program in collaboration with the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). CABMACC aims to strengthen the teaching, training, research, technology development and outreach for climate change adaptation and mitigation planning. The programme is conducted in districts in Mala wi that are considered hot spots for climate change - related vulnerability, and will end in December 2018. There is a need to document and synthesize the results obtained during this program, and to identify and share the major findings, which could also be the basis of recommendations and policy - driven documents. Building on previous programs with Norwegian support, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania will probably launch a new program in spring 2018 titled ’Program for Smallholders’ Utiliz ation of Smart Technologies in Agricultural Industry and Natural Resources (SUSTAIN) ’. In coordination with the possible launch of this program, there is a 2 need to review the existing information and any recent, relevant results obtained in other programs/ projects, in order to start the program on a sound footing. In addition, several institutions and organisations within Malawi and sub - Saharan Africa are also carrying out research and outreach interventions related to sustainable agriculture and natural r esource management in the wake of climate change. It is envisaged and recognised that CABMACC, SUSTAIN and other institutions have several similar objectives and working methodologies, and can benefit from the knowledge sharing and collaboration that this conference can provide