1. CCARDESA FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
6-7May 2014
Boipuso Hall,
Gaborone, Botswana
PROGRAMME

2. MONDAY 5TH MAY 2014
Arrival of stakeholders All participants
Registration All participants
TUESDAY 6TH MAY 2014
TIME ACTIVITY SPEAKER
SESSION 1: WELCOME AND EXHIBITIONS
0900 - 0915 Welcome remarks and briefing on the General
Assembly: Objectives, Methodology and Key outputs
Executive Director
ED: CCARDESA
[Prof T. Simalenga]
0915- 0945 Election of Chairperson of the General Assembly ED:CCARDESA
[Prof T. Simalenga]
0945 - 1115 Exhibitions All participants
HEALTH BREAK
SESSION 2: OFFICIAL OPENING: GA Chairperson
1115 - 1245 Official Opening All participants to be
seated in the main
Auditorium
 Botswana National Anthem
 Welcome Remarks by the ED of CCARDESA Prof T. Simalenga
 Remarks by the Chairperson of the Board of
CCARDESA
Prof. M. Dlamini
 Remarks by Representatives of Development
Partners
EU/WB Delegation
Representatives.
USAID Mission
Director: Ms Cheryl
Anderson
 Remarks by Executive Secretary of SADC Excellency Dr S. Tax
 Keynote Address: Agriculture Transformation
in Africa: The role of FARA and SROs in driving
the research Agenda.
Executive Director of
FARA
Dr Y. Akinbamijo
 Official opening speech by the Honourable.. the
Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of
Botswana
Hon. Minister of
Agriculture
Hon. Mr C. de Graaff

3. 1245 - 1300 Group Photo All
1300 - 1400 LUNCH BREAK
SESSION 3: CCARDESA HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
1400 - 1430 Historical perspective of CCARDESA (Part 1)
From SACCAR to CCARDESA
Dr. L Gakale
1430– 1500 Historical Perspective of CCARDESA (Part 2)
Milestones in the establishment of CCARDESA (2010-
2012)
Dr. P. Tawonezvi
1500-1510 Brief presentation on ASARECA Deputy ED: ASARECA
Dr F. Wachira
1510-1520 Brief presentation on CORAF/WECARD
1520 - 1545 HEALTH BREAK
1545 - 1700 Exhibitions and Side Events
1900-2100 Networking Event and FARA Book Launch: “Integrated
Agricultural Research for Development – From Concept
to Practice”
ED: FARA
WEDNESDAY 7TH MAY 2014
SESSION 3: HIGHLIGHTS OF CCARDESA ACTIVITIES 2012-2013
0900-0915 Summary report of Day 1 Dr. W. Makumba
0915-0945 Priorities for agricultural research-for-development in
Southern Africa
Dr. C. Mtisi
0945-1015 CCARDESA Highlights (2012 – 2013) Prof. T. Simalenga
1015-1030 Presentation and endorsement of CCARDESA’s Medium
Term Operational Plan (MTOP 2014-2018)
Dr Simon Mwale
1030 - 1130 HEALTH BREAK AND EXHIBITIONS
SESSION 4: CCARDESA GOVERNANCE ISSUES
1130-1200 Presentation of CCARDESA Stakeholder Database and
approval of Membership Database
Prof. T. Simalenga
1200-1215 Appointment of CCARDESA External Auditors Prof. T. Simalenga
1215-1245 Report of the Chairperson of CCARDESA Board of
Directors
Prof M. Dlamini

4. 1245- 1400 LUNCH BREAK AND EXHIBITIONS
SESSION 4 contd: CCARDESA GOVERNANCE ISSUES
1400 - 1530 Presentation and approval of Governance related
documents
 Recommendation of CCARDESA New Board
Members
Prof. M Dlamini
 Presentation of CCARDESA Governance manual
and CCARDESA Charter
Prof. T Simalenga
1530 - 1600 HEALTH BREAK
1600 - 1630  Closing remarks – Chairperson of the GA
 Closing remarks – PS Mininstry of Agriculture,
Botswana
TBC
Dr. M. Chimbombi
THURSDAY 8TH MAY 2014
DEPARTURE OF DELEGATES