Research project
Food Systems Transformation in Southern Africa for One Health (FoSTA Health), EU
- Start date: 1 October 2020
- End date: 31 March 2026
- Funder: European Union - DG Environment
- Value: £6 million (£481,636 for School of Food, Science and Nutrition)
- Partners and collaborators: FANRPAN, University of Zambia, Care International
- Primary investigator: Prof Stephen Whitfield
- Co-investigators: Professor Yun Yun Gong, Dr Peter Yiga
- External co-investigators: Dr. Caitlin Shannon (Care International)
The Food Systems Transformation in Southern Africa for One Health (FoSTA-Health) project is evaluating the One Health outcomes associated with food systems transformation in Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. The work by SFSN (WP5) focuses on diversification of diets in the food system transformation, and to examine the One Health outcomes associated with these transformations. Zambia is experiencing a nutrition transition, owed to fast changing food environment. Some of the policy strategies in Zambia are perceived by stakeholders as not feasible due to gaps in contextualization. We aim to map out the ongoing dietary transitions and their effects on One Health, and the drivers of the transitions across the socio-ecological levels of the food system, the potential policy strategies, and the perceived barriers and facilitators for their successful implementation in Zambia. Specifically, the research is seeking to understand: 1) the dietary transition patterns and key drivers of the transition, 2) the food safety concerns of the public, and policy implementation gaps across the food chain. The findings will be used to optimize the “Zambia food systems transformation pathway road to 2030”.
Impact
The work is being undertaken as part of the FoSTA-Health project. The research will feed into a series of planned activities aimed at engaging policy makers and other stakeholders in setting out a vision for healthier and sustainable food systems in 2050 and exploring policy options for achieving it. It is expected that evidence that will be generated through this research will support food systems policy to reduce nutrition transition associated One Health and economic burdens. More specifically, the findings will be used to optimize the “Zambia food systems transformation pathway road to 2030”. Generated evidence will enable development of tailored dietary interventions and policies grounded in local realities and needs.