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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 is set to host a landmark symposium titled “Building Resilient Agrifood Systems & Climate Action in Mozambique.” Scheduled for September 16 2024, at the University Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) in Maputo, Mozambique, this event will bring together leading experts, researchers, and scholars 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. Climate change, coupled with environmental stresses, further threatens agricultural production, calling for urgent and innovative solutions. African universities are crucial for addressing these challenges but face weak research capacities, inadequate skilled personnel and research infrastructure. Therefore, enhancing doctoral training and strengthening research and innovation capacities is increasingly emphasized to address these gaps. This symposium responds 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 284 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 symposium, scheduled as a pre-conference event to the 13th African Crop Science Society Conference (ACSSC), will  facilitate cross-learning between faculty, researchers, and students from Mozambican higher education institutions and research centres and four Rsif African Host Universities (AHUs) in Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, and Ethiopia enabling participants to share experiences and benchmark best practices in PhD program design, implementation, and research in agrifood systems. 

The symposium aims to foster a collaborative environment where participants can exchange knowledge and strengthen their doctoral programs in agriculture and climate action. Key areas of collaboration include curriculum development, 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. The expected outcomes include identifying strategic research collaboration areas, establishing professional networks among faculty and students, and a better understanding of the region’s research needs. Participants will also engage in a field visit to UEM, providing experiential learning opportunities. 

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.