The University of Pretoria (UP) demonstrates a profound commitment to SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Leveraging its academic and research strengths, particularly in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, and health sciences, UP actively contributes to knowledge generation, policy development, and community-based initiatives that address food security and nutrition challenges. The university fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, engaging with stakeholders across sectors to develop holistic and sustainable solutions. UP also emphasizes capacity building and education, preparing students and communities to tackle food and nutrition-related issues, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Through these endeavors, the University of Pretoria affirms its dedication to combating hunger and malnutrition, ensuring food security, and advancing sustainable agriculture in South Africa and beyond. UP has undertaken various initiatives and projects that align with SDG 2, aimed at ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. The United Nations (UN) identified the University of Pretoria (UP) as a leader in driving research that advances food security and improves nutrition. UP was accepted as the host of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Hub for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 to on ending hunger, achieving food security and improving nutrition. UNAI is an initiative that seeks to align institutions of higher education with the United Nations in supporting and contributing to the realisation of United Nations goals and mandates. The Hub, hosted at the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Well-being, shares advances in technologies, research and science that can help countries make faster progress on SDG 2. The Hub will inspire other researchers and the broader community to ownership of the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
UP integrates SDG 2 into its teaching and learning practices, emphasizing the importance of ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. Various departments and faculties, notably the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, offer courses and programs that delve into topics related to agriculture, food systems, nutrition, and sustainable development. UP adopts a multidisciplinary approach, encouraging students from diverse fields of study to engage with SDG 2 through coursework, research projects, and practical experiences. This includes hands-on learning opportunities, fieldwork, and community engagement initiatives, where students can apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, contributing to local food security and sustainability efforts. Additionally, the university fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, equipping students with the competencies needed to address complex food and nutrition challenges and contribute to achieving SDG 2. Through this comprehensive teaching and learning approach, UP plays a pivotal role in preparing the next generation of leaders, researchers, and practitioners to advance food security and sustainable agriculture globally.
UP in South Africa actively engages in research that aligns with SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Below is an overview of key areas of UP's research related to SDG 2:
UP is actively engaged in community outreach programs that align with SDG 2, aiming to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The university leverages its resources, expertise, and networks to make a tangible impact on local communities, particularly in addressing food and nutrition challenges. Below are key aspects of UP’s community outreach related to SDG 2:
The University of Pretoria (UP) uses several mechanisms to manage general waste collection and removal from the various campuses. The aim of these mechanisms is to reduce the University carbon footprint by minimising general waste which goes to landfill. Waste is separated into various categories for recycling, namely aluminium (cool drink tins), paper and cardboard, glass and plastic. The university’s Department of Facilities Management (Campus Services Division) engages the entire campus community in efforts to reduce waste to landfill through recycling and waste management programmes.
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On 7 April 2021, the Faculty of Health Sciences launched the Food Parcel Project in response to the significant increase in UP students who do not have access to healthy food and toiletries. Inspired by the School of Dentistry’s “Brown Bag” project, the Faculty of Health Sciences has created the food parcel project to support students with food and subsistence required to complete their training in the current year. The Faculty aims to create a “Pay-It-Forward” culture amongst students and staff by encouraging those who can afford to donate non-perishable foods to support students from low-income households facing further financial strain due to the pandemic.
Phahama UP Alumni is a registered University of Pretoria (UP) alumni club that mobilises professionals into corporate social investment (CSI), business and professional networking, and investment ventures. In August 2021, the club launched the Phahama Feed-a-Student Programme to help alleviate food insecurity among UP students on campus, with the intention of positively impacting their academic performance and overall campus experience. The Phahama Feed-a-Student initiative is being carried out in partnership with the Alumni Relations Office, and supports the Student Nutrition and Progress Programme (SNAPP) championed by UP’s Department of Student Affairs. SNAPP statistics for August to October 2022 show that of the 169 students in the programme in the second semester.
“When it comes to universities, there is this misconception that there is money, funding, and bursaries, [and] therefore, for students, food insecurity is not a dire issue as it is across the whole of South Africa.” This sentiment was shared by Tiger Brands Corporate Social Investment Coordinator Busisiwe Matontsi when young professionals from Tiger Brands and the University of Pretoria (UP) volunteered their time to prepare 250 food parcels for UP students. The initiative was part of Tiger Brands’ Plates4Days programme, a flagship university nutrition programme in partnership with some of South Africa’s universities. It aims to address the issue of student hunger across universities. The UP Student Nutrition and Progress Programme (SNAPP) has been a beneficiary of the Tiger Brands Plates4Days programme since 2021.
The Food Services Division currently caters and manage 10 dining halls and 3 food trailers at the University of Pretoria. Within these dining halls approximately 7 000 students are provided with meals on a daily and continuous basis. Our division provides students with breakfast, lunch and supper, as well as fast food items at the Item Sales section in the dining hall.
Phahama UP Alumni is a registered University of Pretoria (UP) alumni club that mobilises professionals into corporate social investment (CSI), business and professional networking, and investment ventures. In August 2021, the club launched the Phahama Feed-a-Student Programme to help alleviate food insecurity among UP students on campus, with the intention of positively impacting their academic performance and overall campus experience. The Phahama Feed-a-Student initiative is being carried out in partnership with the Alumni Relations Office, and supports the Student Nutrition and Progress Programme (SNAPP) championed by UP’s Department of Student Affairs. SNAPP statistics for August to October 2021 show that of the 169 students in the programme in the second semester.
“When it comes to universities, there is this misconception that there is money, funding, and bursaries, [and] therefore, for students, food insecurity is not a dire issue as it is across the whole of South Africa.” This sentiment was shared by Tiger Brands Corporate Social Investment Coordinator Busisiwe Matontsi when young professionals from Tiger Brands and the University of Pretoria (UP) volunteered their time to prepare 250 food parcels for UP students. The initiative was part of Tiger Brands’ Plates4Days programme, a flagship university nutrition programme in partnership with some of South Africa’s universities. It aims to address the issue of student hunger across universities. The UP Student Nutrition and Progress Programme (SNAPP) has been a beneficiary of the Tiger Brands Plates4Days programme since 2021.
The Food Systems Research Networks for Africa (FSNet-Africa) project seeks to strengthen food systems research capabilities and the translation of evidence into implementable policy solutions and practical interventions in support of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for Africa. The major contribution of FSNet-Africa to addressing the SDG challenges is its focus on developing a new understanding of African food systems through developing the FSNet-Africa Food Systems Framework and utilising systems-based methodologies to conduct research that enhances understanding of the components of the framework, the interactions between these components, and ultimately the leverage points for food systems transformation. This research is being implemented by an interdisciplinary cohort of early-career research fellows (ECRFs) who are supported in their research to identify and evaluate climate-smart, nutrition-sensitive, poverty-reducing interventions.
The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems (formerly ACoE in Food Security) was established in 2018 as a partnership between the host institution – University of Pretoria – and collaborating partner institutions – University of Ghana and University of Nairobi. The ARUA-SFS aims to create an engaging global network of talented researchers to move institutions forward in pursuit of a common goal. It is recognised that finding solutions to the food security and nutritional challenges in Africa is a huge and daunting task, and there are many local and internationally based organisations working in the African food and agriculture domain. The aim of the ARUA-SFS is not to duplicate efforts, but to create a critical mass of talented researchers working synergistically to maximise complementarity.
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, celebrated annually on 16 October. The panel discussion, exploring complexity: Policy options for nutritious, affordable and sustainable diets for all, is a side event of the FAO Science and Innovation Forum. The panel discussion was opened by Omar Hernández, Public Information Officer and Program Manager of the United Nations Academic Impact initiative. Hernández pointed out that while many think of SDG2: Zero Hunger as an isolated goal, this is not correct. All of the challenges that the Sustainable Development Goals target are interlinked with hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. Poverty, inequality, lack of education, and health care all have an impact on SDG 2. This presents many complexities in achieving zero hunger.
Graduates in agriculture from the University of Pretoria play a vital role in contributing to SDG 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. By equipping students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and innovative approaches, these graduates become pivotal agents of change in addressing food security, enhancing agricultural productivity, and ensuring sustainable food systems. They actively engage in research and development, helping to find solutions to pressing agricultural challenges, such as climate change, land degradation, and water scarcity. Furthermore, their education enables them to work collaboratively with local communities, government agencies, and international organizations, ensuring that agricultural practices are both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. As such, graduates in agriculture from the University of Pretoria contribute significantly to the realization of SDG 2, fostering a world where hunger is eliminated, nutrition is improved, and sustainable agriculture is practiced universally.
South Africa has a dual agricultural economy, with an established commercial farming industry and an emerging small-scale farmer sector. Most small-scale farmers are based on communal lands under tribal authority, or the former homeland areas. As owners of a significant number of livestock including cattle, sheep and goats, they play an important role in contributing to food security, employment, and poverty alleviation. The Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria (UP) has a long history of providing support to farmers close to its Onderstepoort campus. About 30 years ago, a mobile outreach clinic was set up as an extension of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital to offer basic clinical services to resource-poor individuals in the Hammanskraal and Ratjiepane areas. For more information follow this link.
The Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at the University of Pretoria (UP) in collaboration with Innovation Africa@UP has partnered with various stakeholders to engage smallholder grain farmers to connect with the institute’s Diagnostic Clinic via its digital platform. The purpose of this engagement was to assess the farmers’ basic knowledge, needs and management of diseases, and their access to technology and logistics to support the connection to the Diagnostic Clinic. The knowledge gained from the workshop is being used to adapt the system to the specific needs of the farmers.
The African Research Universities Alliance Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems (ARUA-SFS) at the University of Pretoria (UP) recently hosted the Science Days and High-level Colloquium that centred on the theme ‘From food security to sustainable food systems: Addressing the challenges and ensuring institutional alignment’. ARUA-SFS was established as a partnership between UP and collaborating partner institutions – the University of Ghana and the University of Nairobi. The purpose of ARUA-SFS is to create a critical mass of talented researchers to find solutions to Africa’s food security and nutritional challenges. For more information follow this link.
The University of Pretoria (UP) is representing South Africa in a multinational, cross-continental project that aims to enhance food and nutrition security in Africa, and open the door to export markets. InnoFoodAfrica is a three-year project focused on South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, but extended to form a multidisciplinary consortium of 20 partners – 15 in Africa and five in Europe. The project is being funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme to the tune of €6,5m (R115,6m), with an envisaged economic impact of €7.5bn (R133bn). InnoFoodAfrica involves a multidisciplinary range of specialists at UP, from food scientists to sensory scientists, nutritionists, agronomists, and agricultural economists. It also includes postgraduate students – six PhD and four master’s students, as well as four postdoctoral fellows.
A food garden at the University of Pretoria (UP) Mamelodi Campus run by staff and student volunteers is not only helping to feed the community but also providing training to Mamelodi residents on how to grow their own vegetables. All produce grown in the 20 m by 20 m plot near the bus stop on the Mamelodi Campus is distributed for free among participants, students, volunteers, and other beneficiaries such as local early childhood development centres and children’s homes. Between 2022 and 2023 she was assisted by 12 students who volunteered their time to work in the garden. In the process, she says, they learned valuable lessons on preparing the soil and planting and starting small food gardens in their own backyards using tires and pallets. “One of the groups has earmarked a children’s home in Mamelodi to which they want to donate some of the spinach we are growing.” For more information follow this link.
Two plant science Honours students at the University of Pretoria (UP) are on a mission to establish a trail for school learners aimed at educating Tshwane residents and preserving the natural splendor of the green mountain ridge rising above Mamelodi. The project – which is being coordinated by students Lyndia Samuel and Jessica Berry – reflects the growing support that UP botanists and others are giving Mamelodi residents in raising awareness about this almost unspoilt natural haven above one of Tshwane’s largest residential areas. Samuel and Berry will build on work already done by last year’s cohort of Honours students from UP’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. For more information follow this link.
InnoFoodAfrica will explore climate-smart African crops in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda. It will develop and demonstrate optimal solutions for cropping practices, processing and productisation of crops to foodstuffs and bio-packaging via new value chains to markets. It will enhance adoption of nutritionally balanced food consumption in urban Africa and create opportunities to launch the new foodstuffs to international markets. The main output is to demonstrate the waste potential of African crops as healthy food raw materials in combating malnutrition in the continent.
Read more about Goal 2 on UN website
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