Exploring African food challenges

Partners from across Africa gathered in Leeds for a week of research dedicated to tackling challenges in food systems and supply chains.

The Global Food and Environment Institute (GFEI) hosted partners from eastern and southern Africa for International Food Systems Research Week, which is dedicated to enabling research and innovation collaboration opportunities across strategic research, industry and priority policy themes.

The week, organised in collaboration with the FoSTA Health programme, focused on changing food systems supply chains and regulation and human, animal, environmental and plant health. 

International Food Systems Research Week is where our community of world leading research and innovation colleagues can collaborate with partners to foster opportunities across research, industry and policy, to create life changing impact in our global communities.

The University hosted colleagues from academia, industry and government from South Africa, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania. 

Amongst the delegates, Cheney Fellow Cecilia Onyango, Associate Professor of Horticulture at the University of Nairobi, was introduced to the scheme through the FSNet-Africa project. The fellowship is designed to enable world-leading researchers to spend a time at Leeds, exploring new research ideas and building new collaborations. 

Professor Onyango, said: “The Cheney fellowship will offer an excellent opportunity for me to work with colleagues from across multiple disciplines at the University of Leeds starting now during the Global Food and Environment Institute’s International Food Systems Research Week. 

“Further, my work will connect to the Knowledge Equity Network to enhance collaboration opportunities with Higher Education institutions in Kenya, starting with the University of Nairobi, to reduce inequalities and help tackle global challenges together.”

Professor Cecilia Onyango at International Food Systems Research Week

Professor Nick Plant, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at the University of Leeds, said: “International Food Systems Research Week is where our community of world-leading research and innovation colleagues can collaborate with partners to foster opportunities across research, industry and policy to create life changing impact in our global communities.  

“The global challenges facing our world today – such as food security – can only be solved by viewing the system as a whole. Such a holistic approach requires strong interdisciplinary collaboration.

“We are delighted to continue and develop our partnerships with these leading experts and establish new interdisciplinary partnerships that can tackle global issues and drive change.”

During the week, a variety of systems research from Leeds was shared including FoSTA Health and Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa).

These programmes, focused on food security and African food systems, are in partnership with the University of Pretoria and the Food, Agriculture and the Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN). 

Academics planned FoSTA Health research on supply chain regulation, trade and One Health in southern Africa and progress the work on food systems mapping and modelling. 

Dr Ruth Wade with the delegates at the University of Leeds Research Farm

A tour of the University of Leeds research facilities included the research farm and CIEL National Pig Centre. 

Professor Stephen Whitfield, Interim Director of GFEI, said: “In a context of varied social and environmental challenges, there are competing priorities for food system change in eastern and southern Africa. Bringing together different disciplines and sectors is crucial for building an evidence-based understanding of the implications of food system changes in the region. 

“The Food Systems Research Week is part of our ongoing efforts within GFEI to build interdisciplinary partnerships for global challenge-led research.”

In light of the recent commitment from the UK government to strengthen science collaboration partnerships with South Africa, the week helped to identify opportunities for ongoing collaboration and a co-developed research agenda. 

Further information

For more information, contact Rebecca Hurrey in the University of Leeds Press Office.

Read Professor Stephen Whitfield’s reflections on the week in his latest blog post.

Visit the Spotlight page for more information about the University of Leeds' food systems research.