Project Overview
The second phase of the project Support Towards the Operationalization of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (STOSAR II) is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and funded by the European Union.
STOSAR II (2025–2028) is a EUR 10 million initiative funded by the European Union under the Development of Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) programme. The project builds on the achievements of STOSAR I (2018–2024) to accelerate the transformation of agriculture and food systems across the 16 SADC Member States.
STOSAR II strengthens institutional capacities, promotes regional integration, and advances the implementation of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (RAP). It addresses critical challenges such as climate change, pests and diseases, weak value chains, and limited market access, while supporting policy alignment with the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) and the CAADP Strategy 2026–2035 (Kampala Declaration).
STOSAR II contributes directly to the attainments of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent work end economic growth).
Strategic Objectives
STOSAR II’s strategic objectives seeks support the operationalization of the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (RAP) by strengthening regional agricultural systems, enhancing market access and trade competitiveness, improving food and nutrition security, and promoting inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems across SADC Member States.
STOSAR II is structured around four thematic areas, that include:
1. Agricultural Information Management Systems (AIMS): Strengthening agricultural data systems to support evidence-based policymaking and decision making.
2. Market Access - Animal and Plant Health sub-components: Improving compliance with international SPS standards to strengthen animal and plant health systems and facilitate safe regional and international trade.
3. Food and Nutrition Security: Strengthening policies, data and coordination to improve food and nutrition security, with a focus on vulnerable populations.
4. Value Chains: Promoting inclusive, innovative and sustainable agricultural value chains, with a focus on women, youth and improved market access.
Through these interventions, STOSAR II reinforces regional cooperation, supports policy implementation and contributes to the transformation of agriculture and food systems in Southern Africa, in line with SADC regional development objectives. These actions aim to expand trade opportunities through safe, high-quality products that reflect agroecological and human rights-based approaches.
By complementing ongoing efforts by SADC, FAO, and the European Union, STOSAR II contributes to the transition toward efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems, supporting better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.
Geographic Coverage
The STOSAR II Project is implemented across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region in partnership with the SADC Secretariat and national stakeholders. The project supports regional coordination mechanisms while strengthening national capacities and systems across Member States.
The project combines regional policy support with country-level implementation to promote harmonized approaches, knowledge sharing, regional integration and resilient agrifood systems across Southern Africa. The SADC countries we cover include:
Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.