UP-led project inspires African girls to engage in science

Posted on February 28, 2023

To celebrate International Day for Women and Girls in Science, female researchers from the FSNet-Africa network inspired young girls to pursue careers in science.

New search feature transforms access to articles on UP-hosted SDG repository

Posted on February 14, 2023

The South African Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Hub, hosted by UP, has revolutionised its search function to make it easier for policymakers and others to have quick access to relevant research about the SDGs.

NAS Faculty newsletter for December 2022 (third edition) is now available

Posted on December 13, 2022

NAS Faculty newsletter for December 2022 is now available

Honey-making begins at the flower, according to new UP discovery

Posted on December 09, 2022

Prof Susan Nicolson from UP’s Department of Zoology and Entomology, and her colleagues, Dr Hannelie Human and Prof Christian Pirk, discovered that honeybees removed most of the water while collecting nectar from macadamia flowers.

World Soil Day - The importance of soil

Posted on December 05, 2022

We celebrate World Soil Day on 5 December 2022.

Threats to food security and nutrition – global environmental climate change, COVID-19 and conflict

Posted on November 22, 2022

Food security experts recently published an article in BMJ reflecting on the threats that global environmental climate change, COVID-19, and conflict have had on global food security and nutrition.

Prof Reyers plays instrumental role in UN’s latest Human Development Report

Posted on November 03, 2022

Prof Belinda Reyers, Professor of Sustainability Science in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria, has spent the past three years working with the team behind the UN Human Development Report as a member of their Advisory Group and a member of the...

Collaboration is key to enabling food security in Africa

Posted on October 25, 2022

Senior researchers reflected on lessons learned from their past research and fellows shared their aspirations for contributing to sustainable and equitable food systems.

UP scholars honoured by the Academy of Science of South Africa

Posted on October 24, 2022

The criteria for election is “significant achievement in the advancement and application of science/ scholarship, both nationally and internationally”. Members are drawn from the wide spectrum of disciplines.

Exploring complexity: Policy options for nutritious, affordable and sustainable diets for all

Posted on October 24, 2022

On 13 October 2022, the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Hub for SDG 2: Zero Hunger, hosted a panel discussion in celebration of World Food Day.

FSNet-Africa presented a breakout session at The World Food Prize 2022 Borlaug Dialogue

Posted on October 21, 2022

The Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa), recently hosted a breakout session at the 2022 Borlaug Dialogue.

UP EXPERT OPINION: South Africa’s small-scale farmers still can’t find a place in the food value chain

Posted on October 19, 2022

Dr's Adrino Mazenda and Tyanai Masiya, both of the School of Public Management and Administration at UP write that “the contribution of the small scale agricultural sector to the South African food value addition agenda is restricted on many frontiers which require government...

#worldfoodday2022: UP entomologists working towards food security

Posted on October 17, 2022

UP’s Prof Christopher Weldon and his team are working to secure access to fruit by finding better ways to monitor insect pest populations, reduce pest populations without relying on widespread use of insecticides, and limit the damage caused by pest insects.

Newly launched National Biosecurity Hub to support the prevention, reduction and management of crop and animal diseases

Posted on October 13, 2022

“The hub will significantly enhance collaborative working arrangements between government and stakeholders affected by biosecurity threats, rather than having these groups act independently or in isolation,” said Prof Sunil Maharaj.

Bernard Manganyi presented his research at the annual Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA) Conference 2022

Posted on October 12, 2022

Bernard Manganyi, a recent graduate, presented his research on the preferences of subsistence livestock farmers for IBPI at the annual AEASA conference.

Food loss and waste: Why food storage is so important

Posted on September 29, 2022

Economic analysis shows food loss and waste in SA are estimated at 9 million tonnes per year. Proper post-harvest storage and the use of smart technology targeting insects can reduce small-scale farmers' losses, a UP researcher says.

Feedback on the consultation meeting on NAIPs status and CAADP-Food Systems

Posted on September 26, 2022

Dr Wegayehu Fitawek recently attended the consultation meeting on NAIPs status and the CAADP - Food Systems.

Smallholder farmers are aware of climate change, but are still struggling to adapt

Posted on September 23, 2022

Smallholder farmers are the most in touch with the earth’s changing climate patterns, and they are the most vulnerable to increased temperatures and reduced rainfall.

UP team wins second place in international climate solutions competition

Posted on September 21, 2022

A UP team has won second place in an international competition to find solutions to climate-related problems. ‘Team Tujenge’ developed a solar-powered water purification system using plasma technology to provide clean water to rural areas.

Research shows that public agricultural expenditure does not guarantee food security and nutrition

Posted on September 19, 2022

The results from a study on the impact that public agriculture expenditure has on food security and nutrition were recently published.