By fostering collaboration and innovation, the FSNet-Africa research project is reshaping the way we think about food systems to tackle hunger and create a sustainable future for all.
Pretoria, South Africa (22 October 2024) – World Food Day was observed just last week, forcing us to pause and acknowledge the disheartening realities of hunger, poverty and food insecurity in our country and beyond.
In a world where hunger and malnutrition are persistent challenges, the FSNet-Africa project is a beacon of hope for many battling to put food on the table.
This groundbreaking flagship project, led by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), brings together researchers, policymakers, farmers and stakeholders from across the globe to address the complex issue of food insecurity.
“The FSNet-Africa project aims to bring together researchers from various disciplines to explore how food can be produced in a way that is sustainable, affordable and accessible to everyone,” says Professor Frans Swanepoel, Future Africa Research Chair for Sustainable Food Systems at the University of Pretoria (UP).
“It views the complexity of food security holistically, linking academics from multiple disciplines and, importantly, with non-academic stakeholders to create knowledge and move from knowledge to action.”
FSNet-Africa 1.0 was led by UP, the University of Leeds, and the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN).
This collaboration – between 10 African universities in six countries, one Global North institution and seven in-country node partners – saw more than 80 researchers collaborate on 20 transdisciplinary research projects.
Each team consisted of a fellow, an African mentor, a UK mentor, and a researcher at UP. These teams worked with stakeholders such as members of government, farmers and NGOs to design and implement projects.
Five of the FSNet-Africa fellows are participating in FSNet-Africa 1.5, through which they will expand their projects, and be mentored by Dr Elizabeth Mkandawire, network and research manager of FSNet-Africa.
By fostering collaboration and innovation, FSNet-Africa is reshaping the way we think about food systems.
One fellow developed nutritious recipes from an indigenous crop, and she will collaborate with a women’s association to train communities in preparing this food.
Another fellow will train farmers on using moringa in chicken feed to reduce antibiotic use. This can reduce anti-microbial resistance and improve human health.
Yet another fellow developed an app to help small-scale farmers use the right amounts of fertiliser to save on their input costs and improve yield.
As the project enters its next phase, the future of food security in Africa looks brighter than ever.
The FSNet-Africa 1.5 team is conceptualising FSNet-Africa 2.0 and identifying funding opportunities.
“Through food, the FSNet-Africa project brings together researchers and stakeholders across multiple disciplines, countries and continents to work together to achieve zero hunger in Africa,” says Prof Swanepoel.
“FSNet-Africa is more than a project; it is a culture that is embedded in ubuntu, aiming to reshape how we do science in a way that is meaningful and has a beneficial impact on local, national, continental and global communities.”
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