Supporting new approaches to exploring sustainable and secure food systems

Global food systems are under enormous strain. Collectively, we’re looking to feed a growing human population, while at the same time transforming these systems to work within planetary limits. And transforming our food systems isn’t something that can be achieved in isolation — the implications go beyond what we produce and how we eat.

To help look at these implications — whether they be around health, society, equity or business and commerce — we are supporting three interdisciplinary research projects looking at different aspects of sustainable food systems in Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the UK.

Led by researchers brought together by our Global Academy Crucible Programme in 2022/23, these projects will explore:

• The implications of government net-zero agenda for food systems resilience in South Africa and the UK
• The Socio-ecological impact of aquatic invasive species to inform resilience frameworks
• Climate change, agricultural practices and health outcomes among female-based community farming groups in Northern Ghana

The implications of government net-zero agenda for food systems resilience in South Africa and the UK

Led by Dr Colleta Gandidzanwa and Elizabeth Mkandawire, of the University of Pretoria, and Junfeng Yang of University of Leeds, this project use a digital twin model to look at the implications of net-zero policies on food systems.

The team will explore how these policies affect livelihoods, gender equality, environmental sustainability, territorial balance and equity, food and nutrition security, and health, in both South Africa and in the UK.

The principal objectives of this project include:

• To assess net zero policies in different contexts, in South Africa and the UK
• To predict the impact of net zero policies on food systems resilience, as well as on security, nutrition, gender equity, environmental sustainability and livelihoods
• To identify opportunities and trade-offs associated with net zero policies

The Socio-ecological impact of aquatic invasive species to inform resilience frameworks

The Socio-ecological impact of aquatic invasive species to inform resilience frameworks

Led by Dr Josie South and Dr Luca Sabini, University of Leeds, and Dr Elizabeth Mkandawire and Dr Colleta Gandidzanwa of University of Pretoria, this project explores the impact of invasive non-native species (INNS) on inland fisheries in southern Africa.

Centring on a case study at Lake Kariba, which sits across the borders between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the team will look at how redclaw crayfish and nile tilapia disrupt African Great Lake fisheries.

At Lake Kariba, changes in biodiversity can pose challenges to health of local food systems in ways that might not be immediately apparent.

Men and women take on different roles in this food system, so the economic impact of invasive species will have a gendered aspect. There are challenges around governance over the waters, the quality of fish has an impact on health and nutrition, and there are economic challenges around the change in production of fish for food markets.

The team says: “Biological invasions are a disruption to not only biodiversity, but also multidimensional links present in other sectors. In order to fully assess impact we need to consider the full fisheries system as a whole to avoid possible massive implications to food systems and gender equity”

The principal objectives of this project include:

• Assessing historical biodiversity change caused by Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) in Lake Kariba.
• Exploring the impact this has on existing value chains (trade in natural resources such as fish) and gendered experience of working in local food systems.
• Identifying opportunities for new value chains emerging from INNS.
• Assessing changes in consumption, as a result of INNS.
• Developing a framework to predict the impact of INNS on ecology.

Climate change, agricultural practices and health outcomes among female-based community farming groups in Northern Ghana

Led by Dr Lisa Thorley, from University of Leeds, and Dr Samuel Adjorlolo and Dr Mavis Agyeiwaa, from the University of Ghana, this project will investigate the impact of climate change on female subsistence farmers in Northern Ghana.

The project team recognise female subsistence farmers in the global south as some of the most vulnerable groups to climate change for a number of reasons.

Patriarchal ideologies and structural inequalities are compounded by climate-related changes to weather patterns and the stresses this places on agriculture, leading to destabilisation of social relations and further implications for health inequalities.

The team will explore climate change, and its impact on agricultural practices from the perspective of female farmers, asking participants to consider how these changes influence their exposure to gender-based violence and mental health issues.

Lisa says: “This project is important due to the pivotal role that subsistence farming plays in the lives of not only women, but communities as a whole.

“Furthermore, there is a need to look at subsistence farmers who are impacted by climate change in a holistic way so that appropriate interventions and mitigation strategies can be developed by relevant stakeholders.”

The principal objectives of this project include:

• To assess local knowledge around climate change, and create opportunities for discussion around mitigation.
• Collecting the views and perspectives of female farmer groups around the nexus between climate change and agricultural practices.
• Developing an understanding around whether the impacts of climate change can lead to gender-based violence and mental health issues.
• Assessing the role of local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and government agencies in enhancing local understanding of climate change

Addressing the challenge of creating healthy food systems

Food systems are highly complex structures, and have impacts that reach into every part of our environmental, social and commercial systems.

To create better, considered and holistic solutions that are able to address the multiple challenges facing food systems, we need research which is interdisciplinary, global and inclusive.

These three projects are indicative of the work we do at Horizons Institute to address global challenges through making time and space for researchers to connect and collaborate across disciplinary and geographical borders.

To find out more about what we do, and to get involved, visit our website.