REGIONAL INDIC ATIVE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PL AN 3 7 3.4.4.2 Member States (Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, and Evaluation of Current Policies and Strategies Tanzania); the Botswana Vaccine Institute; the Regional Since the Crop Sector was established in 1998, only two Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Control Centre (RTTC) and the programmes on seed and institutional support have been Centre for Tick and Tick Borne Diseases in Malawi. The RTTC supported. The programme on seed will address en- has become a leader on the continent in the development hancing the multiplication of seed of improved varieties, of low cost and environmentally friendly technology. harmonizing the release of seed and testing procedures in The region has also developed heart water vaccines Member States, and harmonizing seed laws in the region. through the Regional heart water Project with the Technical support from the University of Florida in the 3.4.4.3 USA. The first generation vaccine and a tick decoy are now Challenges in Current Policies and Strategies ready for commercialisation. Intervet International from • Development of new agro-processing technologies; the Netherlands has shown interest to manufacture the • Adoption of policies and strategies on horticulture vaccine in South Africa. However, patenting of the and other high value crops; technologies developed has not been clearly resolved and Facilitating regional and global export trade in the region needs to protect its intellectual property rights agricultural products; and and ensure that the technology is affordable to the • • Improving gender mainstreaming in the policies and resource poor farmers. The Sector policies have incorporated gender issues strategies. by indicating the vital roles of both men and women in 3.4.5 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL DISEASE CONTROL many aspects of its work, although there is still recognition that women have largely been marginalized and have not participated fully in the development of the livestock sector. 3.4.5.1 Review of the Current Policies and Strategies The mission of the sector is to promote regional integration and sustainable livestock production through 3.4.5.3 Challenges in Current Policies and Strategies • Focusing regional co-operation on optimal sustain- the co-ordination of animal disease control strategies, able rangeland utilization and animal feed flow, human resource development and utilization of livestock especially across borders; products in order to create employment, improve the • of livestock and livestock products; standard of living of the people and to meet regional food security objectives. Lack of infrastructure and information on marketing • Inadequate use of animal traction and organic manure to complement agricultural mechanization and The policies of this Sector are to increase livestock expensive inorganic fertilizers; productivity and promote livestock-based industries; improve livestock management practices; and promote, • Overstocking and overgrazing in local communities; harmonize and apply effective regional animal disease • Unlawful use of pesticides in the region, especially non-biodegradable products; and control measures. The strategies focus on promoting the development of livestock and livestock-based industries; promoting sound livestock management principles and • Absence of concrete interventions to address the constraints faced by women. animal disease control measures; and supporting existing livestock research and training programmes. 3.4.6 FORESTRY 3.4.5.2 Evaluation of Current Policies and Strategies 3.4.6.1 The Sector has successfully implemented several Review of the Current Policies and Strategies programmes. Achievements include the facilitation of the The Forestry Protocol, which was signed in October 2002, establishment of Veterinary Science Faculties in various provides the basic policy framework. The objectives of the