Driving Innovation in Agrifood Systems and Climate Resilience
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) serving as the Regional Coordination Unit of the Africa Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund for Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (Rsif) in collaboration with the University Eduardo Mondlane’s African Centre of Excellence in Agri-Food Systems and Nutrition hosted a landmark symposium titled “Building Resilient Agrifood Systems and Climate Action in Mozambique.” Held on September 16 2024, at the University Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) in Maputo, Mozambique, this event brought together leading experts, researchers, and scholars from the continent and abroad, to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the continent today: food insecurity and climate change.
Food insecurity in Africa has reached alarming levels, affecting over 282 million people, a situation made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. African universities can address these challenges if their research capacities are strengthened, personnel skilled and research infrastructure improved. Enhancing doctoral training and strengthening research and innovation capacities is one of the important ways to address these gaps. This symposium responded to these critical issues, emphasizing the need for efficient adaptation strategies, including advances in agricultural science, technology, and innovation.
Mozambique is at the forefront of these initiatives as a contributing member to Rsif through its World Bank-funded MozSkills project. The country’s investment in PhD training, research, and innovation grants aims to increase the number of high-quality doctoral faculty, enhance research capacity, and drive innovation in key areas such as food security and climate change.
To date, Rsif has awarded 282 PhD scholarships, with 40 funded by the Government of Mozambique, benefiting 32 Mozambican nationals. Among these scholars, 18 are engaged in research addressing crucial issues in food security and climate resilience, tackling challenges like microbial contamination, pest and disease management in crops, and the nutritional improvement of staple foods. Additionally, Rsif has provided 53 research and innovation grants, including 14 to Mozambican faculty members. Ten of these projects are, focusing on sustainable agricultural development and climate resilience.
The University Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique’s premier institution for higher education, is playing a pivotal role in these efforts. With a strong focus on producing research that addresses national development needs, UEM has recently introduced PhD programs in fields critical to agrifood systems and climate resilience. These programs are designed to build the next generation of leaders in agriculture, engineering, and public health, with a vision to expand enrolment and research output in the coming years.
“The University Eduardo Mondlane is proud to play a leading role in driving innovation in agrifood systems and climate resilience. Our recent strides in developing PhD programs focused on Agri-Food Systems and Climate Action, combined with our multi-disciplinary approach and commitment to excellence, position us at the forefront of Mozambique’s development. By investing in our researchers, enhancing our doctoral programs, and fostering strategic partnerships, we are making tangible progress towards achieving long-term food security and building sustainable climate resilience,” said Dr. Rachida Mamade, Director, Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Mozambique during the symposium.
The symposium, held as a pre-conference event to the 13th African Crop Science Society Conference (ACSSC), facilitated cross-learning between faculty, researchers, and students from Mozambican higher education institutions and research centres and four Rsif African Host Universities (AHUs) including Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania, University of Ghana, Makerere University in Uganda and Haramaya University in Ethiopia, enabling participants to share experiences and benchmark best practices in PhD program design, implementation, and research in agrifood systems.
The symposium discussed and agreed to work together to improve curriculum, student assessment, supervision, and quality assurance. These efforts align with Rsif’s commitment to promoting collaboration and partnerships in its PhD training model, ultimately enhancing research capacities for practical and impactful development across the continent. There was also broad interest and consensus to strengthen collaboration between icipe and UEM, and between UEM and the Rsif AHUs that participated in the symposium.
“We deeply appreciate the efforts of Rsif and the MozSkills project in advancing doctoral training and research capacity in Mozambique. The collaboration between Rsif African Host Universities and Mozambican institutions like the University Eduardo Mondlane is critical for addressing pressing challenges in food security and climate resilience. By working together, we can build stronger research ecosystems that not only benefit Mozambique but also contribute to sustainable development across Africa.” said Dr Ana Menezes, World Bank, at the symposium.
“We equip our students with holistic training, combining scientific expertise with skills in research integrity, data science, and more. International partnerships give them access to top facilities and diverse academic cultures, making them highly competitive globally. With the right environment at home, they can return and contribute as independent scientists to national growth,” added Dr Julius Ecuru, Manager, Research and Innovation Coordination Units, during the event.
As Africa continues to face the dual challenges of food insecurity and climate change, events like the Rsif symposium at UEM are critical for driving innovation and building resilient agrifood systems. By strengthening doctoral training and fostering collaboration across the continent, Rsif and its partners are laying the groundwork for a sustainable and food-secure future for Africa.