UKZN Supports Researchers at Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Academy Week

BY: .

UKZN’s Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems Southern Africa Programme (SHEFS-SA) and the Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems (CTAFS) supported the participation of nine early career researchers, policymakers and senior academics from Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa at the 10^th Annual Agriculture, Nutrition and Health (ANH) Academy Week held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The event brought together researchers, practitioners and policymakers to share knowledge and foster interdisciplinary innovation. Insights, methodological advances and concrete action plans for advancing food system transformation in Africa were discussed by the delegates.

“Systems thinking and transdisciplinary research form the essential foundation for addressing the interconnected challenges in agriculture, nutrition and health,” said SHEFS-SA Institutional Lead Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi.

“This aligns with our strong commitment in SHEFS-SA to advance evidence-based policymaking, ensuring that research insights are translated into concrete, actionable policies,” said SHEFS-SA Academic Manager, Professor Mjabuliseni Ngidi.

The early-career researchers who participated in the ANH week shared their excitement about being part of a global community, learning from top global experts. Participants heard about the importance of integrating digital tools and indices, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing and dietary diversity scores to refine programme design and strengthen monitoring.

“Equally vital are the conference’s ongoing capacity-building efforts, expanded networking, and the elevation of early-career researchers and local voices to keep solutions grounded in real-world contexts,” said UKZN’s Dr Wendy Geza, with SHEFS-SA project co-ordinator Ms Mendy Ndlovu adding: “Together, these elements drive the development of inclusive, context-specific strategies that foster climate-resilient, and nutrition-sensitive development.”

Participants highlighted the need to break down disciplinary silos by leveraging systems thinking, GIS and quantitative indices for more integrated solutions. Emphasis was placed on bridging research-policy-practice gaps and applying new tools for sustainable rural development. Young voices and diverse indices were recognised as valuable in shaping inclusive and actionable frameworks. The importance of food environment research, including AI-driven data analysis and Life Cycle Assessment databases, was reinforced.

Looking ahead, the general opinion was that efforts should focus on translating research into policy briefs, fostering collaborations and embedding social, political and environmental dimensions into future projects.

Interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated, data-driven methodologies emerged as the twin pillars of sustainable food system transformation at the conference, laying the groundwork for climate-resilient, nutrition-sensitive interventions.

The lessons from the ANH Academy Week demonstrated how insights could be translated into inclusive, actionable policy through locally grounded research and adopting adaptive frameworks that promote inclusive stakeholder engagement. The use of digital and decision-support tools further proved indispensable for designing, monitoring and evaluating effective programmes. However, these should be user-inspired, integrated indigenous knowledge, and be supported by capacity development to ensure uptake and adoption.

Equally critical was the ANH Academy’s commitment to empower early-career researchers and amplify local voices, ensuring that evidence generation evolves seamlessly into real-world impact.

“Capacity development, especially in Africa, enhances our capabilities to solve complex challenges effectively and sustainably by equipping individuals, organisations and societies with the skills, knowledge and systems needed,” said Dr Richard Kajombo.

The SHEFS-SA Community of Practice is responding to this through championing a transdisciplinary cohort of postgraduate and early career researchers, including supporting government officials and communities.

Participation in the ANH Academy Week 2025 directly catalysed capacity building, fostered strategic networks and exposed participants to cutting-edge methodologies. This laid the groundwork for policy-relevant research outputs, cross-sector partnerships and sustainable interventions in Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa by equipping participants with systems-based frameworks and digital tools. As they implement new tools and frameworks, their work will further bridge research, policy and practice, accomplishing missions by the centre to drive evidence-based, transdisciplinary solutions in sub-Saharan Africa. These combined efforts will accelerate progress towards sustainable, resilient, equitable, inclusive and healthy food systems that deliver for both people and planet.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi