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ACTIVITIES

The main purpose of the IP in Phase-II is to promote and use an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to mitigate the negative impact of HIV/AIDS on agriculture production and household food security in Uganda, Namibia and Zambia. Specific programme activities at the national level include:

• A desk study to review available data and to identify data-gaps and existing coping strategies;
• A baseline survey (quantitative questionnaire and qualitative survey) to determine problems and needs;
• A national stakeholder workshop to review the results of the desk study and baseline surveys, and to identify possible strategies and responses to meet the challenges of HIV/AIDS for the agricultural sector;
• Develop and test mitigating strategies in and with partner communities; and
• Share information on research findings and experiences.

Uganda
Ongoing activities:The IP partners in Uganda have finalised the annotated bibliography and the baseline survey in December 2002. They are currently analysing the quantitative impact data and writing the final report will be ready by March 2003. A draft research report will be ready at the end February.
Upcoming activities:
A National Stakeholder Workshop is scheduled to take place 3-5 March 2003.
In January, IP/HQ will assist NAADS in Uganda to implement the qualitative survey, to analyse data and to prepare the research report.
New partners: NAADS has been working actively with HASNET (HIV/AIDS and the Agriculture Sector Network) partners during the design of the survey instruments.
For more information: contact the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS). Tel: +256-041-345440, fax: +256-041-347843, e-mail: naads@utlonline.co.ug, web: http://www.naads.or.ug/.

Zambia
Ongoing activities:Statistical data analysis and national baseline report write-up has commenced and work is progressing well. A draft national report will be ready by 28 January 2003. IP-Zambia has recently accomplished: 1) the desk study review (draft annotated bibliography report available for comments) and 2) baseline survey fieldwork, data cleaning and data entry.
Upcoming activities:
National Task Force meeting: Preliminary presentations of the baseline study findings/results.
A national stakeholder workshop is scheduled for the 13 March - 14 March 2003.
In February, IP/HQ will be assisting FASAZ in Zambia in analysing the data and preparing the report and workshop.
New partner: FASAZ has worked closely with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) during the baseline survey. CSO made substantial contribution in the development of quantitative study tools, selection of partner communities, field supervisors and enumerator training, sampling framework, household listing and enumeration.
For more information: contact Coillard Hamusimbi, tel: +260-097-787078, e-mail: fasaz@zamnet.zm/chamusimbi@yahoo.com or Mukelabai Ndiyoi, tel: +260-097-849468, e-mail: fasaz@zamnet.zm/mndiyoi@zamnet.zm at The Farming Systems Association of Zambia (FAZAS), http://www.fasaz.org/.

RELATED ACTIVITIES

HASNET/RENEWAL workshop in Uganda
A HIV/AIDS methods and indicator workshop was held in Jinja, Uganda, in the last week of November. The objective was to strengthen methods for action research on HIV/AIDS and agriculture and in monitoring and evaluating its progress. Researchers from Uganda, Malawi, Kenya and other African countries participated in the workshop together with resource persons from within and outside the region. Marcela Villarreal from SDWP participated on behalf of FAO. The workshop was organised by RENEWAL (the Regional Network on HIV/AIDS, Rural Livelihoods and Food Security) and the Ugandan national network HASNET (HIV/AIDS and the Agriculture Sector Network) Both aim to enhance the capacity of agricultural sector organizations and their partners in AIDS and public health to contribute effectively to the prevention and mitigation of HIV/AIDS. RENEWAL is coordinated by the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) and supported by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). For more information about HASNET and RENEWAL, please look at the following link: http://www.isnar.cgiar.org/renewal/.

Information management
The IP has developed a draft action plan for IP information management, communication and dissemination for the period January to June 2003. The action plan is outlining what information the IP wants to disseminate, how it is managed, packaged and communicated, to whom. To obtain a copy of the draft action plan, contact integrated-programme@fao.org.

IP PUBLICATIONS AND INFORMATION MATERIALS

National websites
If you want to learn more about the IP lead agencies in Uganda and Zambia, please take a look at their respective websites: NAADS: http://www.naads.or.ug/ and FASAZ: http://www.fasaz.org.

Video
FAO's subregional office in Harare has produced a video on the impact on HIV/AIDS, especially related to women and land-grabbing in Uganda. This video is a work in progress and part of a joint FAO/EASSI (regional women NGO based in Uganda) study on HIV/AIDS and women's land rights in Uganda funded by NORAD Uganda. Please contact Kaori.Izumi@fao.org for more information. The video will be shown at FAO/HQ today 20/1 and tomorrow 21/1 at 14.00 in room C609 (SDRE meeting room). To participate, please contact anne.nicolaysen@fao.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Namibia: 11 - 12 February 2003
Venue: Safari Hotel in Windhoek.
Sign up/ participation: Contact Nicky at Tel: +264-61-245917 or e-mail iprog@mweb.com.na.

Uganda: 3 - 5 March 2003 2003
Venue: to be decided. Contact NAADS for more information.

Zambia: 13 -14 March 2003
Venue: Taj Pamodzi Hotel.
Sign up/ participation: Contact Mbololwa at tel:+260-97-809446 or Chiluba at tel:+260-97-851619/-1-278510 or e-mail fasaz@zamnet.zm

Draft program:

1. Official opening
2. Presentations of quantitative and qualitative surveys and desk study on the impacts of HIV/AIDS on agricultural production and household food security
3. Selection of best/possible responses to mitigate the negative impacts of HIV/AIDS based upon desk-study and surveys findings, including:

• Brief presentation by key stakeholders and UN organization in the country to capture the experience of ongoing cross-sectoral responses to HIV/AIDS;
• Presentation by IP/FAO: framework for possible responses/ mitigating strategies;
• Discuss which mitigating mechanism the IP should focus on, given the country context, and based on the comparative advantage and mandate of the agricultural sector and the IP.
4. Discuss and draft appropriate normative and operational responses/ mechanisms that will mitigate the impacts of HIV/AIDS on the agricultural sector, food security and rural livelihoods. These responses/ mechanisms should include description of activities, partners and target groups, and can be:
• an adaptation or reorientation of current best practices in response to the epidemic;
• to include/mainstream HIV/AIDS in existing initiatives e.g. training material; and
• new/ innovative responses to maintain agricultural production and food security.
5. Build consensus about forthcoming action and the role of stakeholders in testing and adopting responses.

Roundtable on HIV/AIDS in Namibia
The National Planning Commission (NPC) will be hosting a Donor Round Table Conference jointly with UNDP in Swakopmund, Namibia, 17-19 February 2003. The conference will look at the National Development Programme (NDP 2) and look at the ways to mobilised resources in addressing number of issues, which are addressed by the NDP 2 strategy. More information with respect to the Round Table Conference could be obtained from the National Planning Commission (NPC) and UNDP in Namibia.
The IP will attend the conference as an observer and will use the opportunity to introduce itself and its activities.