Dr Elizabeth Mkandawire, Network and Research Manager for the Food Systems Research Network  for Africa (FSNet-Africa), has warned that the escalation of food insecurity demands immediate intervention and  a coordinated global response. 

Newly released data paints a grim picture of global food security, with nearly 9% of the world’s population  suffering from undernourishment in 2023. The crisis has deepened in recent years, with approximately 735 million  people now facing hunger and 2.4 billion lacking reliable access to nutritious food. In Africa, the situation is  particularly dire, with over 129,000 individuals currently experiencing famine conditions, highlighting the urgent  need for decisive action. 

"The current food crisis requires urgent attention and collaborative intervention from all stakeholders," states  Mkandawire. The network, established through a strategic partnership between the University of Pretoria,  the University of Leeds, and the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), is  at the forefront of tackling these challenges.

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Multiple factors contribute to the current food crisis, with conflict and climate change emerging as primary drivers.  Climate-related weather events have particularly devastating effects on agricultural production and food  distribution systems across Africa, necessitating the development of more resilient food systems. 

FSNet-Africa's approach emphasises the importance of developing climate-resilient food systems while working  towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "We must act collectively to strengthen our food  systems and make them more resilient to climate-related challenges," Mkandawire stresses. The network  promotes an integrated approach to food security that encompasses not only food production but also  environmental protection and ecosystem preservation. This holistic strategy recognises that sustainable food  systems must balance human nutritional needs with environmental conservation. 

FSNet-Africa's work highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in developing effective solutions. By  bringing together academic institutions, policymakers, farmers, and agricultural experts, the network facilitates  knowledge exchange and innovative approaches to food security challenges. "Our partnership with leading  institutions enables us to combine research expertise with practical implementation strategies," notes  Mkandawire. Through these efforts, FSNet-Africa focuses on developing climate-resilient agricultural practices,  enhancing research and innovation in food production, improving policy frameworks, promoting sustainable  farming methods, and protecting vital ecosystems and biodiversity. 

The partnership between the University of Pretoria, the University of Leeds, and FANRPAN demonstrates the  power of intra-African and international collaboration in addressing global food security challenges. "Together,  we can create sustainable solutions that not only address immediate food security needs but also ensure long term environmental sustainability," Mkandawire concludes. Through these combined efforts, FSNet-Africa  continues to work towards its goal of creating sustainable, resilient food systems that can effectively combat  hunger while preserving Africa's natural resources for future generations. 

The majority of us are used to westernised crops such as corn and potatoes, but we need to open our eyes to a  whole new range of culinary possibility based on indigenous edible plant species. Sustainable alternatives to these  western crops are known as indigenous crops. These crops are exponentially more resilient to the harsh African  climate and significantly richer in nutrients. The main obstacle to the indigenous crops entering the agricultural  market is simply blissful ignorance. Thus, it would arguably be much more beneficial if the majority of South  Africa’s population were educated in the benefits of indigenous crops.  

What makes these crops even more attractive is the fact that they are significantly more affordable and readily  available. This begs the question – why are we not investing more time, energy, and land in these crops? The  answer to this question can be found in this powerful documentary, that FSNet-Africa has produced, which highlights the critical role of indigenous crops in addressing food security challenges especially in Africa. These  resilient, nutrient-rich crops offer a sustainable solution to the devastating impacts of climate change and food  scarcity, and FSNet-Africa’s research is pioneering new ways to strengthen food systems. With nearly 9% of the  world’s population facing undernourishment and millions struggling with hunger, FSNet-Africa is at the forefront  of finding solutions.