Time for science to step up food systems in Africa

Africa is on the cusp of leading a transformative era in global food systems. For the first time, Africa hosted the CGIAR Science Week. Held in Nairobi, the meeting assembled over 10,000 delegates from across the globe.

Key participants included world-leading scientists, government representatives, the private sector, farmers, innovators, consumer groups, NGOs and CGIAR partner organisations. Through the lens of science and food systems, the significance of Africa cannot be overstated. With her vast agricultural potential, youthful population, and disproportionate vulnerability to climate change, Africa is not only placed at the frontline of the food system crisis but also at the heart of needed solutions. This, at a time when 1 in 5 Africans face food insecurity.

This year’s theme, “Transforming Food, Land and Water Systems in a Climate Crisis,” was not just a rallying call, but a reminder of the urgent need to re-think on how the world is fed especially at a time when the globe is grappling with escalating challenges such as climate change, shifting geopolitical priorities, declining or deteriorating natural resources, and rising populations.  

Africa is increasingly becoming a vital hub of scientific innovation. Science organisations such as the CGIAR’s Alliance of Bioversity International and International Centre for Tropical Agriculture and CIAT (The Alliance), are spearheading innovations geared toward addressing the challenges such as those around food, nutrition and environment.

These innovations should always be backed by intensive scientific research and well blended with traditional knowledge. No one is left out- from innovators, to scientists, relevant institutions to communities. The Alliance showcased several cutting-edge innovations that are transforming food systems in Africa. One was My Farm Trees (MFT), a digital platform that provides cash incentives to farmers to plant and maintain tree species, with a premium on native trees. Last year, MFT paid $140,000 USD to landholders in Kenya and Cameroon for planting some 250,000 trees from 50-plus species. 

MFT provides farmers with guidance and verification tools to help improve the long-term success of tree-based restoration projects, which often fail. The growing platform is expected to become a prominent tool to improve degraded landscapes, naturally restore fertility to soil, and improve livelihoods. Because of its science-backed data and transparency, MFT is poised to allow farmers access global carbon offset markets.

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One unique Science Week event was Biodiversity Bites, a culinary experience where edible insects featured prominently alongside high iron bean varieties, bananas, rice, and traditional leafy vegetables such as terere (amaranth) and managu (black nightshade). 

Designed to showcase the diversity of local African foods and the innovative work of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and ICIPE, the sumptuous dinner highlighted the Alliance’s work in restoring Traditional Leafy Vegetable varieties some of which had almost disappeared from our tables.

We continue to collaborate with stakeholders across all sectors to advance climate mitigation and enhance food and nutrition security. At the core of resilient food systems is seed security, and the Alliance is working to conserve diverse seed varieties across Africa and in dozens of countries across the Global South. This is achieved through strengthening of community seedbanks.

The writer is Africa Managing Director, The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT