• National stakeholder workshops were held in Uganda, Namibia and Zambia in March and April 2002 to discuss the focus of Phase-II. The participants came primarily from ministries, extension and research institutions, NGOs and farmers unions.
• In February and March 2003 national stakeholder workshops reviewed the results of the IP baseline surveys that had been carried out the previous six to eight months. Based on these insights the participants identified a range of cross-sectoral responses and strategies to mitigate the impacts of HIV/AIDS on agricultural production, food security and rural livelihoods.
• In May and June 2003 the IP reported back on the results from the surveys and the recommendations from the national workshops to the communities involved in the surveys and stakeholders at district level involving local government, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and extension workers. The main aim of these meetings was to validate the survey findings, elicit their recommendations, and prioritize a number of promising mitigating strategies for testing. The district-level meetings established local IP support groups and identified where the IP intersected with their ongoing activities and programmes.

• Given that the IP partner countries are all addressing one common problem area, the IP has been promoting exchange of people, information and knowledge among the countries.
• IP and the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) organized a two-week regional workshop in Uganda on Gender-disaggregated Data and social research methods in the context of HIV/AIDS from 3-14 November 2003.
• A joint practical working session about data management and analysis took place in Namibia in June 2003.

4. Developing and testing responses to HIV/AIDS on a pilot basis

The IP-stakeholders in the three partner countries all identified a wider range of responses and possible interventions. Due to limited time and resources, only a few small-scale projects were selected to be implemented in each country from July 2003. These activities are listed below. Some of the activities are still ongoing.

In addition the IP partners are networking, building capacity, raising awareness and actively contributing to the on-going national HIV/AIDS processes and policy making.

Uganda
In Uganda, the IP is implementing two key interventions in Masaka, Iganga and Luweero districts. The aim is to strengthen the abilities of extension workers, community based organizations, and female and male farmers to understand the impacts of HIV/AIDS and to promote relevant mitigation responses in the agricultural sector.

• Development of an HIV/AIDS resource guide for extension workers to be published by mid-2004; and
• A participatory multimedia communication campaign on HIV/AIDS and agriculture using radio, drama and written material, to be finalised by September 2004.

Zambia
In Zambia the IP-partners have piloted two projects in Monze, Choma and Sinazongwe districts in the Southern Province.

• Information dissemination through community radio programmes, drama performances, posters and other written material in local languages;
• Nutritional awareness and promotional campaign. Activity finalised.

Namibia
In Namibia the IP-partners have piloted several projects as a response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ohangwena Region in the Northern Province.