FANRPAN was represented by Dr Rachel Mkandawire at the EU-AU FNSSA Policy-Research Workshop, hosted at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in Pretoria, South Africa, under the Consortium Europe-Africa on Research and Innovation for Food Systems Transformation (CEA-First) project.
This platform provided a crucial opportunity to explore how research and policy can mutually reinforce each other in addressing vulnerabilities in food systems. The workshop brought together a diverse range of stakeholders from various fields, including climate science, plant sciences, soil and water management, vaccines, veterinary sciences, food science, food safety, marketing, and disaster risk reduction (DRR), among others. This interdisciplinary engagement underscored the need for holistic and cross-sectoral approaches to food systems transformation.
A key takeaway from the discussions was the importance of inclusivity, ensuring that research platforms integrate indigenous knowledge to create contextually relevant and impactful solutions.
Collaboration emerged as another critical factor, with researchers needing to co-create solutions with stakeholders across the entire food systems value chain to drive meaningful change. The discussions also emphasized that science must be purpose-driven, not only advancing academic knowledge but also shaping policy and practice in tangible ways.
Furthermore, timing is essential in policy influence, as decision-making windows are often short. Researchers must proactively allocate time to translate findings into actionable insights. High-level engagement was also underscored as crucial, with scientists encouraged to contribute to influential policy spaces such as the G20 and SADC Head of State summits to ensure that research informs global and regional agendas. Lastly, policy must be evidence-based and outcome-driven, with clear and measurable results that translate into real change on the ground.
This workshop reinforced the need for stronger collaboration between research and policy, ensuring that food systems transformation is both informed by science and aligned with practical, real-world applications.