Agricultural Information Management Systems (AIMS)

The Agricultural Information Management System main development agenda is to provide planners and policy makers easy access to information necessary for revitalizing agricultural and natural resources growth, enhancing food security and promoting rural development. Consequently, activities under the programme includes, firstly the development of networks for timely collection of information for early warning of disasters, vulnerability assessments, food security and monitoring of weather patterns in the region; secondly, the establishment of an effective monitoring system for implementing both the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) and the Dar-es-Salaam Extra-Ordinary Summit Declaration and Plan of Action on Agriculture and Food Security; and thirdly, the establishment of a Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources’ integrated database and Networks in the SADC region.

The main programmes implemented under the AIMS programme include:

Regional Early Warning System (REWS)

REWS provides advance information on food crop yields and food supplies and requirements. The information alerts Member States and stakeholders of impending food shortages/surpluses early enough for appropriate interventions. National Early Warning Units have been established in all Member States to collect, analyse and disseminate early warning information at country level; AIMS produces regional reports.

Regional Remote Sensing Project (RRSP)

The Regional Remote Sensing Project supports Member States in Remote Sensing, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and agro-meteorology, through the analysis of agro-meteorological and satellite remote sensing data during the crop-growing season. Remote sensing tools have been developed to monitor environmental changes and provide reliable satellite-based food security information. 

Regional Vulnerability Assessment & Analysis Programme (RVAA)

The RVAA Programme is part of the SADC FANR Directorate. It is the operational and coordination unit which has been tasked to implement the SADC RVAA programme. Its main focus is on strengthening national and regional vulnerability assessment and analysis (VAA) systems through institutional support, training and capacity-building. Working closely with the Regional Vulnerability Assessment Committee (RVAC) and other partners, SADC Secretariat’s strategy is to respond to both short and long term food security constraints within a framework of monitoring, analysing and addressing the broader context of poverty and livelihood vulnerability. SADC’s response to food insecurity is not restricted to emergency relief measures or agricultural programmes; it is framed within a long-term, comprehensive effort to understand poverty and vulnerability.

Regional Food Reserve Facility

The establishment of the Regional Food Reserve Facility is aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness of the region, where drought and other disasters have led to frequent food insecurity crises.  The facility will include a physical reserve, financial facility and a risk insurance instrument to support farmers in times of disasters. 

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