Circular Food Systems (CFS) in Africa
This project aims to demonstrate that circular food systems can decouple growth in social and economic benefits from consumption of natural resources (particularly water and land) and production of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, as well as reducing urbanisation by creating local opportunities for women and youth.
About
Our research on ‘Circular Food Systems in Africa’, aims to demonstrate that circular food systems can decouple growth in social and economic benefits from consumption of natural resources (particularly water and land) and production of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, as well as reducing urbanization by creating local opportunities for women and youth.
We will test how smallholder irrigation schemes might become the engines of local resilience and economic development by being integrated with livestock, and dryland agricultural production systems to support strategic and inclusive development of small, value-adding business to form climate smart circular food systems in East and Southern Africa.”
The project is led in Australia by The Australian National University. Partners in Africa include in South Africa, the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), in Zimbabwe, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Ardhi University of Agriculture in Tanzania, and in Mozambique the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane and National Institute for Irrigation.
The project is funded with support from the Australian Government via the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACRIAR), with additional contributions from participating organisations.
More information
Feeding the growing global population within planetary boundaries is a monumental challenge. CFS aims to produce food more efficiently, reduce waste, and strengthen local economies.
Our project employs a participatory and systems-based approach to transform subsistence agriculture into sustainable and climate-resilient food systems.
We will work with at least five farming communities in the three countries to co-design and implement Climate Smart Food Systems (CFS) that increase socio-economic benefits.
This project is made up of a multi-disciplinary team led by the Australian National University, with multiple partners in Africa.
