About The Unit
Land is any part of the earth surface not covered by water. Agricultural land provides the largest share of food supplies and ensures that an essential number of ecosystem services. They contribute directly or indirectly to approximately 90% of food calories and 80% of livestock production (protein and facts). Hence agricultural lands support food security and SDGs achievements.
Agriculture, especially when practiced sustainably, is dependent, connected or essential to improve other SDGs. For instance, it is vital to reduce poverty (SDG1 – no poverty). increase population wellbeing (SDG 3 – Good health and Wellbeing) and support knowledge and Research and Development (SDG 4 – Quality Education), improve water quality and use efficiency and investments in clean energy (SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy). Also, it is essential to improve the farmers working conditions and resource efficiency use (SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth), support small scale farmers and promote innovation (SDG 9 – Industry Innovation and Infrastructure) and improve a fair trade between producers and consumers (SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities).
Agriculture also contributes to the increase of urban areas livability and access to green spaces (such as urban gardens, green roofs), reduce the impact of natural hazards and pollution and ensure food security (SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities). Agriculture friendly practices contribute to the efficient management of natural resources, such as soil and water and reduce food waste and waste production (SDG 12 – Sustainable Consumption and Production) to reduce the greenhouse gases emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change – related events (SDG 13 – Climate action) to decrease the agrochemical application and the pollution of surface water bodies (SDG 14 – life below water) and to reduce the intensive agricultural practices, deforestation and land degradation (SDG 15 – life on land). Unsustainable agricultural practices that may lead to resource exhaustion or land degradation may trigger conflicts. Therefore, sustainable land management is key to reducing the conflicts resulting from the lack of food (SDG 16 – Peace Justice and Strong Institutions).
SFI Research Focus in Land Agriculture and Food systems
Land Agriculture research involves the study of agriculture to improve policies and technologies that can help farmers grow food sustainably. It also seeks to understand the relationship between farming communities and production systems. This research is essential for sustainable agriculture and development. This research can help farmers address challenges like climate change, land degradation and hunger.
Land agriculture research develops new technologies and methods for growing crops, controlling pests, and managing irrigation. It improves and creates policies that support small – scale farmers and address challenges like climate change, land degradation and hunger. It increases understanding to assist people understand how farming communities and production systems interact and depend on each other.
Food system research studies the processes and relationships involved in food production, distribution, and consumption. It involves analyzing relationships between different parts of the food system; identifying trade – offs between policy objectives; developing and tests solutions to food – related challenges and building evidence to support policy objectives. The goal of food system research is to make food systems more suitable, healthy and equitable. This research helps address challenges like climate change, population growth and resource scarcity. It hopes to improve food security and nutrition; develop solutions to problems like poverty and malnutrition and create more resilient food systems.
The SFI research focus for the land, agriculture and food systems cluster focuses on dynamics of agricultural land system, efficiency of agricultural systems, effect of climate change in agriculture; land tenure and sustainable agri – food systems; sustainable land use and food systems; and challenges and opportunities for African agriculture and food systems.
The specific focus of SFI land agriculture research include food security, building food system that can feed everyone; climate – smart agriculture, managing landscapes to address the challenges of food security and climate change. Public policy, through creating policies that support the transformation of agriculture and the food system. Digital agriculture, using data and technology to transform the agri – food system.
The specific focus of SFI food system research promotes the availability of nutritious foods, improves human health, develop novel food processes and products, as well as advancing food system functionality
Our Research Areas include
- Soil quality and soil fertility
- Extreme weather conditions and events
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Industrialized Agriculture and Smart Farming
- Agroforestry and improving soil fertility
- Soil quality and sustainability
- Climate change and agricultural production
- Agricultural trade and food security
- Food system impacts
- Food system, public health and nutrition
- Agroforestry and improving soil fertility
- Food policy and agricultural production