The overall goal of the domain is increased resilience in food security, in particular of smallholder farmers in SADC region. By increasing production through qualitative seeds, reducing post harvest losses and having better prepared member states to respond to food crisis, the food insecurity in the region should be better tackled. SDC supported interventions aim at changes on the level of policies and institutions as well as on the level of the target population of smallholder farmers. Where appropriate, private sector development partnerships will be sought. The following three outcome areas have been defined for 2013-2016:
- Improved availability, accessibility and quality of seeds: the expected outcome from interventions supported by RPSA 2013-2016 in this area is the national adoption of a harmonised SADC Seed Systems in selected countries that facilitates regional availability and access to quality seeds for smallholder farmers. This outcome shall contribute to the SADC regional objective of achieving sustainable access to safe and adequate food for all people in the region.
- Post harvest management: considering the positive experiences acquired in other parts of the world and the priority of those issues given by SADC, SDC will as well engage on post harvest management. The expected outcome here is the reduction of post harvest losses and increase of small holders’ income through informed policy, capacity building and appropriate technology.
- Disaster Risk Reduction: the expected outcome of interventions supported by RPSA 2013-2016 in this area is that member states and/or farmers use risk reductions instruments, insurance and social protection mechanisms for food security planning and interventions in a coordinated manner. This includes improvement of early warning systems, vulnerability assessment, safety nets and coordination mechanism at regional level. This outcome is aligned to the regional objective of addressing chronic and temporary vulnerability to the diversity of food security risks and economic change as included in the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy.