Re-imagining resilient food systems in the post-COVID-19 era in Africa

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness that serious illness and injury are common and important shocks that result in food insecurity, the loss of livelihoods, and unsustainable coping strategies. These have significant negative impacts on welfare, especially for the poorest, driving up health care expenditure, reducing capabilities for productive and reproductive activities, and decreasing capacity to manage climate and other changes. These negative impacts are especially pertinent for countries in Africa where the high prevalence of communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria have resulted in repeated health shocks. Unusually, the prevalence of these illnesses results in their impact being similar to those of covariate shocks, increasing the risk of poverty for entire communities and reducing options for coping strategies. Livelihood disruptions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic may have similar consequences for African food systems. The pandemic is likely to exacerbate existing dynamics of risk and introduce new and unanticipated changes to food systems. Although the initial focus of governments has been on public health interventions, preserving and growing resilient food systems is critical if livelihoods are to be protected. This paper discusses the implications of these evolving forms of risk and uncertainty for sustainable African food systems, reflecting on lessons from other systemic shocks.The National Research Foundation and the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA)–United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) Research Excellence Grant–the Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa).https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainabilityam2022Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Developmen

Re-imagining resilient food systems in the post-Covid-19 era in Africa

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness that serious illness and injury are common and important shocks that result in food insecurity, the loss of livelihoods, and unsustainable coping strategies. These have significant negative impacts on welfare, especially for the poorest, driving up health care expenditure, reducing capabilities for productive and reproductive activities, and decreasing capacity to manage climate and other changes. These negative impacts are especially pertinent for countries in Africa where the high prevalence of communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria have resulted in repeated health shocks. Unusually, the prevalence of these illnesses results in their impact being similar to those of covariate shocks, increasing the risk of poverty for entire communities and reducing options for coping strategies. Livelihood disruptions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic may have similar consequences for African food systems. The pandemic is likely to exacerbate existing dynamics of risk and introduce new and unanticipated changes to food systems. Although the initial focus of governments has been on public health interventions, preserving and growing resilient food systems is critical if livelihoods are to be protected. This paper discusses the implications of these evolving forms of risk and uncertainty for sustainable African food systems, reflecting on lessons from other systemic shocks

Enhancing success in South Africa’s higher education: measuring student engagement

Improving student success and throughput rates are key challenges facing South African higher education. International research shows that a focus on student engagement can help to enhance student learning and other desired outcomes as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of higher education systems. This article documents the psychometric properties of the South African Survey of Student Engagement (SASSE), providing a sound basis on which to promote large-scale studies of student engagement-related interventions. Using this contextualised measure will allow South African institutions to engage in national and international benchmarking with countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia

Enhancing the Glopan food systems framework by integrating gender : relevance for women in African agriculture

Globally, gender inequalities constrain food security, with women often disproportionately affected. Women play a fundamental role in household food and nutrition security. The multiple roles women play in various areas of the food system are not always recognised. This oversight emerges from an overemphasis on one aspect of the food system, without considering how this area might affect or be affected by another aspect. This study aimed to draw on international commitments and treaties using content analysis to enhance the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Security food systems framework by integrating a gender perspective. The study found that generally, there is a consensus on specific actions that can be taken to advance gender equality at specific stages of the food system. However, governance and social systems constraints that are not necessarily part of the food system, but have a significant bearing on men and women’s capacity to effectively participate in the food system, need to be addressed. While the proposed conceptual framework has some limitations, it offers a foundation on which researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders can begin conceptualising the interconnectedness of gender barriers in the food system.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainabilitydm2022Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural DevelopmentCenter for the Advancement of Scholarshi

The benefits of both worlds: Towards an integrated mixed-methods approach for evaluating women’s empowerment

Increasing demands for credible, rigorous monitoring and evaluation of empowerment in the context of development will challenge theorists and practitioners to find innovative, but credible ways of understanding empowerment. This paper provides a theoretical rationale for, and a practical description of an integrated mixed-methods approach for evaluating the empowerment contributions of the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development program. The paper explores the value of employing mixed-methods for increasing the credibility of results, and for improving understanding of the ways in which the program facilitates change for its participants. This paper assesses the process of data integration and analysis to provide a set of practical recommendations for practitioners seeking to employ similar approaches. The paper finds that managerial commitments, adequate investment in ongoing monitoring and evaluation activities, and openness to methodological innovation are essential for the effective development and use of mixed-method approaches in complex development intervention

Enhancing success in South Africa’s higher education: measuring student engagement

Improving student success and throughput rates are key challenges facing South African higher education. International research shows that a focus on student engagement can help to enhance student learning and other desired outcomes as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of higher education systems. This article documents the psychometric properties of the South African Survey of Student Engagement (SASSE), providing a sound basis on which to promote large-scale studies of student engagement-related interventions. Using this contextualised measure will allow South African institutions to engage in national and international benchmarking with countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia

Beyond the double gender gap in science and agriculture: Is there space for feminist-inspired transformation within AWARD?

The existence of a structural gender gap in agriculture is commonly recognized. Solutions for overcoming this are often argued to bring about greater gender equality and increased agricultural production. Programs such as AWARD place gender equality high on their agenda, as they attempt to reduce the gap by supporting the career development of women in agricultural science research fields, while also taking stand on current international development narratives on the urgency to invest in agricultural research. Using ecofeminist theories, this paper contends that while such programs’ approach to overcoming the gaps in agriculture and science is seemingly focused on women’s empowerment, the risk exists that it could result in the reinforcement of an already dominant knowledge, constructed over centuries of inequality. A proposal is formulated to allow for the emergence and recognition of gender epistemological needs, and for feminist epistemological discourses to challenge the ethical premises, research priorities, approach, and methods of current internationally funded agricultural research for development

Strengthening mentoring partnerships for African women scientists in the agricultural research and development system in sub-Saharan Africa

The contribution of women to development is particularly important to the agricultural sector in Sub-Saharan Africa where women constitute a large proportion of smallholder farmers. Despite their important role, the participation of women in agricultural research, particularly at the leadership level, remains low. This paper explores the role of mentoring in increasing the pool of women in agricultural research using the case of the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development program. The paper elaborates on evidence collected over a three-year period to evaluate program effectiveness, benefits accrued and key success factors. Results show that the program's structured approach has direct career benefits for mentors and mentees. Furthermore, the program has proven effective in increasing gender responsiveness for mentors, particularly males, increasing their probability of serving as champions within institutions. Four discrete factors for successful mentoring were identified: commitment, shared research interests, proximity and personality. The paper concludes with recommendations for program design