News

During Y1|Q2, the research transitioned from preparatory planning into early-stage implementation, with emphasis on field-based activities, stakeholder engagement, and operational readiness. Building on the groundwork laid in Y1|Q1, the focus was on activating the sampling framework, strengthening community linkages, and advancing technical preparations in line with the approved FAR-LeaF II workplan. A significant milestone achieved during this reporting period was the commen

During Y1|Q2, the project focused on the launch and consolidation of the empirical research phase, combining exploratory work, in-depth field investigations, and preparatory scientific outputs. An exploratory study was conducted to refine the study sites, validate research tools, and better understand local livestock systems and land-related constraints. This phase included reconnaissance visits, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with women livestock farme

Dr Ololade Abdulrahman's research is progressing well. The communities to be used were identified, and the project was initiated, highlighting the benefits for the participants. The identification and selection of competent field enumerators for each state were done. Training for field enumerators was organised and conducted to bring them up to speed on the instrument's content and to understand how to fill it out. Trial data collection was conducted, and corrections identifi

During Quarter 2, her research progressed substantially across three interlinked components: climate risk modelling, socio-economic field research, and the establishment of coffee varietal trials to support climate impact modelling. A major scientific output of the quarter was the completion of a full research manuscript on climate change projections for coffee-producing regions of the Ethiopian highlands, using a bias-corrected multi-model ensemble from CMIP6 under the SSP2-

Dr Lefadola visited Justus Liebig University (JLU) in Germany from 9-23 November 2025, to broaden her knowledge of food waste management and upcycling. Also in November 2025, she participated in a conference by the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, where she presented a paper on the "Circular Economy Transitions in Botswana's Agro-Food Systems: A Multidimensional Perspective on Food Waste Reduction", related to her FAR-LeaF project. Furthermore, she participated in the Sys

Dr Ruth Wainaina intended to document the current climate vulnerabilities of the Murang'a people and how they adapt to the changes. With her supervisor's guidance, she was advised to identify key components that hinder/support communication with the people of Murang'a. This called for a comprehensive literature review that highlights the impact of cultural and religious perspectives in communication. Her research, focused on establishing innovative measures of science communi

Dr Maramura developed her research instruments and established her research team. She attended a research visit to Tengeru Institute of Community Development to engage with another FAR-LeaF fellow, Dr Agnes Kapinga, on Community Development and Climate Resilience (22-30 November 2025). She has connected with the City of Cape Town via a Gatekeeper's letter and is awaiting feedback. When the Gatekeepers' letter is approved, an ethical clearance application can be submitted to t

Dr Piwai Tshuma maintained regular communication with her supervisor, mentor, and research assistants to ensure alignment with the project. Her procurement was completed: All consumables for MOF synthesis were delivered at the start of the quarter. Experimental work progressed well: the synthesis of monolithic MOFs was completed. Characterisation using PXRD, TGA, UV-VIS DRS, and FTIR was conducted, with UV-VIS DRS and FTIR performed at UP with mentor support. BET analysis is

Dr Miriam Ameworwor's Y1|Q2 progress was reported as follows: Ethical clearance:  The final decision on the ethical clearance application was received via a letter from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Institutional Review Board (CSIR-IRB) on 8th October 2025. Procurement:  Most of the equipment, including the weighing scale, has been procured. The process for the water quality meter, the last piece of equipment needed, is ongoing. Community Entry:  Commun

During Y1|Q2, the project made substantial progress in institutional coordination, human capacity development, field sampling, experimental establishment, and preparation for genomic analysis. A significant milestone achieved was the actualisation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). This MoU provides the formal framework for collabor

Dr Ndosi has completed data collection in both research study areas, the Mara and Katavi Regions. Following fieldwork, she has been engaged in data cleaning and entry, preparing the datasets for analysis. Concurrently, she has initiated an extensive literature review to support the development of research papers aligned with the study objectives. These activities provide a solid foundation for the project's subsequent analytical phase. Overall, the project is progressing very

The global agricultural landscape is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the demands of climate resilience, food security, and sustainable intensification. For Malawi, a nation where agriculture is central to livelihoods and economic stability, embracing advanced and efficient farming systems is essential to future development. In this context, the Malawi Training Program on Fertiliser Production and Management was established as a strategic initiative to enhanc

Zoology Conference 2025: ZOOming Into the World of Animals Amsterdam: 7-9 December 2025 https://www.kndv.nl/zoology-2025-congress/   Abstract: Pharmaceuticals and artificial light have become fundamental for sustaining public health and supporting today’s modern lifestyle. However, their use pollutes the environment and has effects on wildlife that are still far from understood. In addition, as the world warms, wildlife is experiencing changing temperatures that may influence

In November 2025, Dr Pearl Lefadola had the privilege of being a Research Visitor at Justus Liebig University (JLU) in Giessen, Germany . The research visit marked an important milestone in my ongoing work on upcycling tomato waste within Botswana's food supply chains.   As a scholar working at the intersection of food systems, sustainability, and consumer science, her research seeks to address a persistent yet often overlooked challenge in our food supply chain: the substant

World Fisheries Day, 21 November 2025 Catalysing Sustainable Fisheries and Responsible Aquaculture Action for People, Oceans, and Climat e Women's contribution to small-scale fisheries, though significant, is often underreported and unrecognised. The participation of women in the sector has been limited to processing and marketing, primarily due to culturally prescrib

The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems (ZNE) Sustainability Assessment of Agrifood Systems Conference Germany | 20-21 November 2025 https://www.uni-giessen.de/de/fbz/zentren/zne/news-events/events/zneconferenceprogramme Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, faces interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, food loss and waste, food insecurity, and poverty, all of which undermine the sustainability and resilience of its agro-food systems. Desp

15th Annual Meeting of the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS): Rural Advisory Services in Higher Education and in Agricultural Policies and Programs Senegal | 11-13 November 2025 https://www.g-fras.org/en/gfras/1144-a-briefing-from-the-2025-gfras-annual-meeting.html Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum, Fred Nimoh, Shakila Dada, Tafadzwa Clementine Maramura, John-Eudes Andivi Bakang, Fred Ankuyi Abstract: Smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa is still under serious

While attention often focuses on war correspondents or political investigators, another group of journalists faces growing risks—those reporting from the frontlines of the climate crisis. Radio journalists have become lifelines of local climate communication across continents, from flooded deltas to parched farmlands. Their voices translate complex climate data into practical survival information, bridging the gap between global science and local realities. Yet, as they defen

Across Africa, the struggle to achieve food security is increasingly focused on attaining climate resilience. Food crops once guided by familiar climate now bear the weight of floods, heatwaves, and droughts that disrupt production and unsettle entire food systems. As the continent marks Africa Food Security and Nutrition Day, new research on climate change vulnerability and adaptive capacity within Nigeria’s tomato value chain reveals how resilience can be built along the va

World Development Information Day, observed annually on 24 October, celebrates the transformative power of knowledge in driving sustainable development. Information is a tool for empowering communities, shaping policy, and creating equitable social and economic outcomes. The Role of Smallholder Farmers in Ghana In Ghana, smallholder farmers are the backbone of the agricultural sector. They make significant contributions to food security, rural livelihoods, and national develo