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 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).
Project Components
News
STOSAR II strengthens regional capacity in PPR diagnostics and laboratory quality management systems
30/10/2026
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – Veterinary laboratory personnel from Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States strengthened their ability to diagnose Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a disease affecting sheep and goats, and improve laboratory quality management du...
SADC Member States validate regional agricultural development plans and smallholder aggregation guidelines
26/10/2026
Johannesburg, South Africa – Member States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have validated four Sector Development Plans (SDPs) covering cotton, wheat, rice and soybean, together with SADC Regional Guidelines for Smallholder Farmer Aggregation and an Africa...
Malawi takes steps towards stronger agricultural data
03/10/2026
Madagascar strengthens preparedness for FMD and PPR outbreaks through simulation exercise
02/10/2026
Taolagnaro - Madagascar conducted a simulation exercise on Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) from 15 to 17 September 2026 in Taolagnaro to assess the country’s preparedness and response arrangements for these priority transboundary animal diseas...
Latest Publications
Plant Health Factsheet
22/07/2026
The Plant Health Component Factsheet provides an overview of interventions under the Plant Health component of the EU-funded STOSAR II Project. It highlights support provided to SADC Member States to strengthen plant health systems, enhance surveillance and pest management capacities, and facilitate safe and efficient agricultural trade through harmonized phytosanitary measures.
Food and Nutrition Security Factsheet
22/07/2026
The Food and Nutrition Security Component Factsheet provides an overview of interventions implemented under the component of the EU-funded STOSAR II Project. It highlights support provided to SADC Member States to strengthen food and nutrition security information systems, improve evidence-based planning and reporting, and enhance the availability of reliable data to inform policies and programmes aimed at achieving sustainable food and nutrition security.
Agricultural Information Management Systems Factsheet
22/07/2026
The AIMS Component Factsheet provides an overview of interventions under the Agricultural Information Management Systems (AIMS) component of the EU-funded STOSAR II Project. It highlights support provided to SADC Member States to strengthen agricultural data systems, improve interoperability, and enhance evidence-based decision-making and regional reporting across the SADC region.
Events
2/11
2026
6/11
2026
National AIMS Workshop
Lesotho (Lesotho), 02/11/2026 - 06/11/2026
Under the Agricultural Information Management Systems (AIMS) Component of STOSAR II, a National AIMS Workshop – Technical Working Group Training was held from 2 to 6 November 2026 in Lesotho to strengthen national capacity in agricultural data collection, management, analysis and reporting, supporting evidence-based decision-making and improved agricultural information systems.
4/11
2026
6/11
2026
Emergency SADC Livestock Technical Committee Meeting on Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Johannesburg (South Africa), 04/11/2026 - 06/11/2026
Under the Market Access Component: Animal Health, an Emergency SADC Livestock Technical Committee (LTC) Meeting on Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) was held from 4 to 6 November 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa, to review the regional FMD situation, strengthen coordination among SADC Member States and identify priority actions to improve disease prevention, surveillance and control.
9/11
2026
14/11
2026
Documentation of Case Studies on Smallholder Farmer Aggregation Models
09/11/2026 - 14/11/2026
Under the Inclusive Value Chains Component of STOSAR II, case studies on smallholder farmer aggregation models will be documented from 8 to 14 November 2026 in Lesotho, Malawi and Zimbabwe to capture good practices, lessons learned and successful approaches to strengthening farmer organizations, improving market access and promoting inclusive agricultural value chain development.
11/11
2026
12/11
2026
Webinar on Goss's Wilt: Field Identification
Virtual Event, 11/11/2026 - 12/11/2026
Under the Market Access Component: Plant Health, a virtual webinar on Goss’s Wilt: Field Identification will be held from 11 to 12 November 2026, in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council–Grain Crops (ARC) of South Africa, to strengthen regional capacity in identifying and recognizing the symptoms of this important maize disease, supporting early detection and effective plant hea...
7/12
2026
18/12
2026
Regional Participatory Epidemiology Training of Trainers
Harare (Zimbabwe), 07/12/2026 - 18/12/2026
The Market Access Component under Animal Health, a Regional Participatory Epidemiology Training of Trainers will be held from 7 to 18 December 2026 in Harare, Zimbabwe, to strengthen regional capacity in participatory approaches to animal disease surveillance, detection and control.