******Funded by the European Commission within the Horizon 2020 programme, the main aim of the project was to develop, implement and validate innovative, scalable, and sustainable technologies to support the nutrition performance of local food systems in Africa. Held at Makerere University, the meeting served as a platform to sensitize stakeholders on the different products developed by the project, including smart farming technologies, nutrient-rich foods, and the nutritional recommendations for adults and the elderly. The meeting featured clinical screening, and the launch of a 30-day healthy diet challenge.

Overview

Africa’s food system is dominated by a number of challenges ranging from primary and seasonal production to poor quality produce, and limited access to markets.  In Africa, the use of outdated farming practices and the low adoption rate of improved agricultural technologies have contributed to low productivity. Issues such as monoculture, lack of crop rotation, and poor soil management are still prevalent across the Continent. Poor infrastructure in terms of roads, storage, and processing facilities limits access to markets and increases post-harvest losses. Moreover, many African farmers and other food systems-related businesses lack access to finance and credit facilities that would enable them to invest in improved agricultural technologies and inputs. (John Ulimwengu, FARMINGFIRST 2023).

In his presentation delivered at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa in 2023, FAO Director General, Dr. QU Dongyu highlighted the need for collective effort to support vulnerable communities with multiple and innovative solutions to build their resilience and transform agri-food systems to deliver better nutrition. Dr QU Dongyu warned that 1 billion people in Africa could not afford a healthy diet in 2020, and the impacts of the climate crisis, conflicts, the pandemic, and the war in Ukraine were raising levels of malnutrition and hunger. According to a joint report on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, led by FAO, 281 million people in Africa are undernourished, nearly 60 million African children under 5 suffer from stunting, and 14 million suffer from wasting.   

Solutions to Challenges facing Africa’s food system

Launched in 2020 with the aim of developing, implementing and validating innovative, scalable, and sustainable technologies to support the nutrition performance of local food systems in Africa, Food and Local, Agricultural, and Nutritional Diversity (FoodLAND) Ugandan project team has come up with a number of initiatives that have tremendously transformed farming in rural communities in the country. Led by Prof. John Muyonga from the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-engineering at Makerere University, the team has developed technologies for precision irrigation and fertigation, smart storage, rodent control, and value addition. Additionally, the team has established infrastructure at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK) for research and training, and has trained over 100 farmers in the different technologies developed, supported the application of ecological principles to ensure sustainable agricultural production, developed nutrient enhanced food products such as noodles containing orange fleshed sweet potatoes and biofortified beans; instant flours containing orange fleshed sweet potatoes, biofortified beans and grain amaranth; and dry eggplant. The team has also developed nutritional guidelines for adults and the elderly. Uganda’s project team: Prof. John Muyonga and Prof. Johnny Mugisha from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University; Dr. Cassius Aruho, Dr. Puline Nakyewa, Dr. Margaret Masette, Dr. Getrude Atukunda, and Dr. Justus Rutaisire from NARO; Mr. Henry Nsereko from VEDCO; and Prof. Dorothy Nakimbugwe from Nutreal.

Funded to the tune of 7 million euros by the European Commission within the Horizon 2020 programme, and led by Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna (Italy), FoodLAND project is committed to developing a range of innovations for local agriculture and aquaculture development, as well as to nudging consumers towards healthier eating behaviour in six African countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The project specifically aims to empower smallholder farmers and food operators, foster nutrition responsive and sustainable agro-biodiversity, reinforce the productivity and resilience of food supply chains, and create new market opportunities at both the local and global scales, thereby encouraging the flourishing of rural communities. These achievements are envisaged to benefit both African and European consumers by providing them with traditional-based, healthy, nutritious foods, while encouraging the diffusion of African diets and aiding the fight against malnutrition, particularly in women and children.

Project dissemination workshops

In July 2024, the team held workshops in the project areas of Kamuli and Nakaseke districts to sensitize farmers on the research recommendations, and train them on the technologies developed to support smart farming.

Stakeholders’ engagement/dissemination meeting in Wakiso District

On 29^th August 2024, the project team held a dissemination meeting for stakeholders within Wakiso District to sensitize them on the challenges affecting Africa’s food systems, particularly Uganda, and the measures undertaken by the project to address them. Held at Makerere University and attended by staff and students, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) and NARO, and representatives of farmer groups, the meeting discussed a number of issues including the engineering innovations for precision irrigation and fertigation, smart storage (charcoal cooling blankets to prolong shelf-life), and rodent control system developed by the research team. The meeting also discussed producer and consumer behaviours, value addition, integrated aquaculture and bio-based packaging, and nutritional recommendations to minimize under-nutrition, malnutrition, and non-communicable diseases.

Presentations by the project team

Briefing participants on the project goal and objectives, Prof. John Muyonga, project coordinator in Uganda emphasized the need to address production and nutritional challenges along the entire value chain.

Delivering a presentation on producers and consumers’ behaviour, Prof. Johnny Mugisha noted that fear of risks was undermining uptake of innovations by the farmers. He highlighted the need for incentives to farmers to promote uptake, and called for support initiatives to reduce risks associated with long term investments such as climate change mitigation strategies. Additionally, Prof. Mugisha explained that the price of food or affordability was associated with consumer food choices, advocating for innovative models to distribute quality food to consumers at fair prices. The research also established that diets of rural women were greatly affected by their level of income, calling for initiatives to improve women’s income, and sensitization on good nutrition.

On behalf of Nutreal Ltd that led the value addition component on the project, Dr Dorothy Nakimbugwe, from the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, presented to participants the different nutrient-rich products developed. These include; orange fleshed sweet potato, bio-fortified beans, noodles, composite flours, and snacks/daddies. According to Dr Nakimbugwe, food processing improves nutrition and health and reduces post-harvest losses. “Consumption of the nutrient-enhanced foods contributes to higher dietary intake of key nutrients (protein and micronutrients e.g. iron and zinc), and can greatly reduce malnutrition. Reports from UNICEF indicate that malnutrition poses a significant barrier to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), affecting not only health but also education, economic prosperity, and societal well-being. In sub-Saharan Africa, over 30% of children under the age of five suffer from stunted growth due to chronic malnutrition. Uganda’s adult population also faces a malnutrition burden. In adults, under-nutrition and nutritional deficiencies lead to low productivity, poor health, and poor pregnancy outcomes.

Presenting the nutritional recommendations, Dr Richard Bukenya from the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition at Makerere University indicated that the causes of malnutrition were largely behavioural. According to the Global Nutrition Report of 2022, Uganda has shown limited progress towards achieving the diet-related non-communicable disease (NCD) targets. 10.4% of adult (aged 18 years and over) women and 2.3% of adult men are living with obesity. Uganda’s obesity prevalence is lower than the regional average of 20.8% for women and 9.2% for men. At the same time, diabetes is estimated to affect 5.6% of adult women and 5.6% of adult men. The 2018 Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) survey by the World Health Organization (WHO), also indicates an increase of diet related health conditions including obesity, diabetes, Cardio Vascular Disease, Coronary Heart Disease, and Cancer with up to 33% of deaths in Uganda related to these non-communicable diseases. The FoodLAND project has worked to supplement efforts by Government to reduce malnutrition. Following desk reviews and stakeholder engagements, the project developed 30 nutritional recommendations for adults and the elderly. These include; i) Daily consumption of locally available fruits and vegetables, whole starchy staples, and protein-rich foods including beans, peas, nuts, fish, eggs, and meat; ii) Limiting the consumption of fried foods, salt, alcohol, and sweetened beverages; iii) Hydrate with fluids, preferably water; iv) Regular engagement in moderate-intensity physical activity like brisk walking, digging, swimming, aerobics, and cycling; v) Undertaking medical examination at intervals of no longer than 6 months to facilitate timely detection and treatment of ailments like diabetes, hypertension, high plasma cholesterol and cancers.

Remarks by the Vice Chancellor

On behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, the Deputy Director, Directorate of Research and Graduate Training, Prof. Julius Kikooma commended the project team for the initiative. “The research focus of the FoodLAND project is extremely important, especially for us as a country that is highly reliant on agriculture and yet faced with malnutrition, poor market access from agricultural products and the challenge of climate change. While Africa has potential to grow diversity of food, the continent suffers high levels of under-nutrition, nutritional deficiencies, food poisoning and has in recent decades also registered marked rise in prevalence of over-nutrition and associated non-communicable diseases,” he noted. He commended the project for being in line with the University’s 2020-2030 strategic plan, which seek, among others, to strengthen generation and uptake of knowledge and technologies that contribute to socio-economic transformation of people in Uganda and beyond.  He appreciated the European Commission for the support extended to the project.

MAAIF Representative

In his address, Mr. Steven Byantware, MAAIF Director for Crop Resources, who represented the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) appreciated the project team for supporting government programmes intended to foster agro-industrialization and mechanisation of agriculture with the aim of transforming the country from subsistence to commercial farming. He urged the team to popularise the research findings through extensive dissemination programmes.

Director General – NARO

On behalf of the Director General of NARO, Dr. Sadik Kassim, Deputy Director General commended the partnership between Makerere and the organization. Highlighting the challenges posed by climate change and mechanization of agriculture, Dr. Kassim said the project is crucial in promoting agro-bio-diversity and nutrition bio-diversity. Regarding uptake and sustainability, he urged the project team to work with the government and private sector to strengthen the innovations. He equally appreciated the European Commission for funding the project.

In her remarks, the Dean, School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-engineering, Dr Julia Kigozi commended the project team for the initiative, saying it promotes the CAES innovation-intentional agenda.

The meeting featured testimonies by some of the farmers supported by the project who expressed gratitude, noting that their livelihoods had greatly transformed following the application of the knowledge acquired from the project.

Exhibition, clinical screening, and launch of a 30-day healthy diet challenge

On the side-lines of the dissemination meeting was an exhibition of the different products developed by the project team, and clinical screening as well as launch of a 30-day healthy diet challenge.

More about the project;

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), together with the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK Dir), are pleased to announce a call for applications for the NORSTIP scholarship for higher education. The scholarship is intended for students from certain NTNU’s partner universities in low- and middle-income countries who wish to take a master’s degree within certain fields of study at NTNU. The scholarship is valid for studies starting in autumn 2025.

At Makerere University (MAK), students and staff from the following departments are eligible to apply: Department of Development Studies; Department of Geography, Geo- Informatics and Climatic Sciences, Department of Environment Management, and Department of Forestry, Bio-diversity and Tourism having completed a bachelor’s degree may apply for a scholarship for one of the following two-year master’s programmes at NTNU:

• MSc in Globalisation and Sustainable Development (up to 4 scholarships)
• MSc in Natural Resources Management Specializing in Geography (up to 2 scholarships)

MSc in Globalisation and Sustainable Development (MSGLOPOL 2-years) is a two-year international, interdisciplinary master’s programme that provides students with critical insights into global sustainability challenges combining academic studies with practical experiences. As part of the programme, the students will undergo an internship in a globally oriented organisation or corporation. The programme provides students with specialist knowledge and transferable skills to pursue careers in multinational corporations, foreign policy, international organisations, NGOs and research. Please consult the programme’s webpages for more information about admission requirements and content.

Master of Science in Natural Resources Management Specializing in Geography (NARM 2-years) is a two-year international interdisciplinary programme, consisting of the specializations Biology and Geography. The specially designed programme gives the students an understanding of the importance of managing natural resources sustainably, while developing an understanding of the connections between different disciplines and actors. It will also help you to be able to communicate with actors across disciplines. This programme aims to give an outstanding, and unique, education and the required knowledge that will contribute to finding sustainable solutions to interdisciplinary challenges related to the management of natural resources. Please consult the programme’s webpages for more information about admission requirements and content.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for the scholarship you must fulfil the following criteria:

1. Having graduated with a bachelor’s degree at the Department of Development
   Studies, Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, Department of Environment Management, or Department of Forestry, Bio-diversity and Tourism or being an employee ¹ at these respective departments
2. Be between the ages of 20-30
3. Be a citizen of and reside in Uganda
4. Not already hold a master’s degree

To be awarded the scholarship you will also need to be formally accepted to MSc in Globalisation and Sustainable Development at NTNU or Natural Resources Management specialising in Geography. Admission to the master’s programmes at NTNU will require:

1. A first degree (a bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field
   • a. To be admitted to MSGLOPOL or MSNARM, applicants must have a relevant bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of at least C by the Norwegian grading system (First class and second class upper by Makerere University standards). A-C grade, however, does not guarantee admission.
   • b. For specific academic requirements visit:
     https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/msglopol/admission or
     https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/msnarm/admission
2. Documentation of English language proficiency according to NTNU’s requirements

How to apply – Deadline 23^rd of September

Applications should be sent to NORSTIP_Geography NTNU at Email: NORSTIPapplicationmakerere@gmail.com before the 23^rd of September including CV, motivation letter which also indicate your research interests (max 1-page A4), transcripts of records and BSc certificates (all documents need to be in English).

Applicants will be shortlisted for a digital interview with a selection committee at the NTNU in collaboration with partners at MAK. Candidates will be ranked based on academic performance, and personal and interpersonal qualifications. Selection will follow NTNUs principles of gender balance and equality. Female students are encouraged to apply.

Applicants are advised of the result of their application by 15^th of November and will receive information about the further application process. Accepted students’ needs to apply for admission to NTNU by the 1^st of December 2024 (included all relevant documentation, language test and more).

The scholarship

The scholarship amounts to a total of 920 000 NOK per student for the two years of studies. It covers your tuition fees, visa fees, travel costs to/from Norway before your studies and after graduation (max 30 000 NOK), funding for field work where relevant, and reasonable costs for living and studying in Norway. The Candidate is personally responsible for ensuring that the scholarship payments satisfy their various monetary obligations (housing, fees, etc.) and general living costs. Candidate must cover travel expenses and visa application fee (about 5400 NOK per August 2024) themselves and will be reimbursed for this after arrival at NTNU in Norway.

The NORSTIP start-up grant (15 000 NOK) together with the scholarship amount for the first 4 months will be paid out to the Candidate upon their arrival at the Institution’s campus in Norway. The candidate will receive these funds on a cash card (kronekort) which may be used as a regular debit card. This card cannot be used online or to pay invoices. The rent to Sit[2]² housing may be paid using the cash card in Sit’s housing office. Subsequent monthly payments will be made out to the Candidate’s Norwegian bank account on the date set by the Institution for such pay-outs.

Upon acquisition of their identification number, the Candidate will be required to open a personal bank account in a Norwegian bank and provide the account details to the contact person at the Institution. Upon receipt of the Candidate’s Norwegian banking details, the Institution will make all subsequent payments to the Candidate’s Norwegian bank account.

The scholarship will not cover expenses for family members/children in the home country or in Norway or costs associated with sending extra luggage to/from Norway.

Conditions for entitlement after having been awarded the scholarship
To become and remain entitled to the Scholarship, the Candidate must:

• a) obtain and continuously uphold a valid residence permit from UDI³;
• b) accept enrolment into the Master’s programme provided by the Institution, and continuously meet the requirements set by the Institution for upholding his/her student status and right to attend the Master’s programme;
• c) arrive at the Institution’s campus in Norway and commence their studies in accordance with the Master’s programme;
• d) keep the study progression set by the Institution for the Master’s programme.

It is expected that the Candidate returns to her/his home country after completing the Master’s programme in Norway.

For additional questions about the NORSTIP scholarship programme, please contact:

1. Per Ivar CHUTKO, study advisor, Department of Geography. NTNU. Email: per.chutko@ntnu.no
2. Associate Prof. Hilde REFSTIE, Department of Geography, NTNU. Email: hilde.refstie@ntnu.no
3. Dr Paul Isolo MUKWAYA, Department of Geography, Geo-informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University. Email: pmukwaya@gmail.com
4. Dr Eria Serwajja, Department of Development Studies, Makerere University. Email: eserwajja@gmail.com

Footnotes

1. Employees of partner universities who have an agreement with their employer to return
   to their position after the completed master’s degree will be prioritised. ↩︎
2. Sit is the Student Welfare Organisation who is in charge of a number of services for
   students at NTNU. Please see https://www.sit.no/en for more information. ↩︎
3. UDI is the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration. Please see https://www.udi.no/ for
   more information. ↩︎

African universities have been challenged to harness the power of emerging digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform the agricultural sector and mitigate the effects of climate change on the African continent.

Agriculture is the major source of livelihood in most African countries yet it is one of those that are most-affected by climate change. Faced with this challenge, universities, farmers and communities should embrace digital technologies in farming and livestock production and management.

In addition, the use of digital technologies would not only contribute to the transformation of the agriculture sector, but also make the sector interesting and attractive to the young people constituting 60% of the total population in Africa.

These deliberations featured prominently at the second RUFORUM Triennial Conference from 12^th to 16^th August 2024 held in Windhoek, Namibia specifically during the Scientific Session under the theme; ‘AI and Climate Change’ and another scientific session on ‘Emerging Issues-Digitization of Education.’

The Regional Universities for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), which consists of 170 African countries and 40 universities in Africa, seeks to facilitate the creation of vibrant transformative universities catalyzing sustainable development inclusive agricultural development to feed and create prosperity for Africa.

At the strategic level, participants noted that AI was a reality that had come to stay, which necessitates Universities to come up with policies to integrate AI into teaching and learning, research, and knowledge transfer.

This strategic approach was re-echoed by Prof. Patrick Okori, the Executive Secretary of RUFORUM, when he said: “Universities should focus on the integration digital technology in all processes.  Digital technology should enable universities, farmers and communities to share information, knowledge and skills to enable the transformation of the agricultural sector.”

Prof. Okori emphasized that digitization of agriculture should be inclusive with the young people, women, persons with disabilities and refugees empowered to participate in the various chains within the agricultural sector. 

During these interactive sessions, participants also discussed some fears about digital technologies such as AI.  These include: overdependence on AI reduces critical thinking of students and learners in general; AI puts the credibility of the learners in balance-how do you detect lies; using AI and upholding the ethical standards in research, teaching and learning.  There was also a serious fear of losing jobs due to AI.

The Vice Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, reminded participants that there was need to be frank and accept that the young people (Gen. Z) were ahead of their teachers in AI applications and usage.  

Responding to the Vice Chancellor’s revelation (real life scenario), the Dean School of the Built Environment at Makerere University College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology, Dr. Anthony Gidudu, noted that universities should invest resources to bridge the gap between the digital experts and the digital migrants. This involves committing to a deliberate effort to train and re-tool the human resources in the respective universities.

Noting the niche of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, which is anchored in hands-on training, the Vice Chancellor sought guidance from the researchers, panelists and participants on the viability of applying AI and practical courses in the conduct of hands-on training.

In his response, Dr. Gidudu revealed that AI is not an end in itself as human beings are still in control with ability to conduct research that informs AI applications and processes. He pointed out that in the various presentations focusing on research conducted by researchers from Makerere University, AI applications are informed by researchers. The researchers were on ground, undertook field studies, interacted with the farmers and community leaders. Using a real-life example, Dr. Gidudu explained that whereas an airplane uses technology and AI to advance into space, the pilot (a human being) takes charge.

Responding to the fear of losing jobs, Ketshepileome Matlhoko from the University of Free State, said: “We have to face the reality. AI will not take away your job, but an individual who knows AI will take away your job.”

On the issue of credibility, ethical standards and detection of lies, the participants agreed that universities should come up with policies on using AI ethically.  For instance, there should be a point of caution in regard to overdependence on AI. “Humans must not be over dependent on AI. They must be able to make decisions that override the AI decisions,” he said.

Prof. Isa Kabenge, a researcher at Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, assured participants that AI presents an opportunity to universities to enhance research and contribute to changing livelihoods. Noting that Makerere University runs an artificial intelligence laboratory under its College of Computing and Information Sciences, Prof. Kabenge disclosed plans by Makerere University researchers to team up to establish an AI Innovations Hub, aimed at integrating AI into agricultural management.

In his presentation, Prof. Kabenge demonstrated research that involved the use of AI to monitor and track livestock production. AI models such as the Cattle Detection Model and the Cattle Identification Model provide real-time information to farmers and researchers. In the area of livestock farming, Prof. Kabenge plans to use AI in livestock health monitoring, pasture characterization and management, livestock behavior monitoring.

Dr. Catherine Mulinde, a researcher from Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, explained that maize is one of the crops affected by climate change. She presented research on modelling land productivity and crop yields under changing climate and land use management using AI. Focusing on the maize farmers in the Kyoga Basin, Dr. Mulinde noted that AI informed their research on the productivity of land and the determinants of the productivity of maize. Despite the rampant land fragmentation issues, inorganic and organic fertilizers as well as pesticides application had a positive impact on the maize production.

In a presentation titled; Remote Sensing as an enabling technology for agriculture, Dr. Anthony Gidudu demonstrated the use of satellite imagery to develop products and services through remote sensing to transform the agricultural sector.  Focusing on AI and future research prospects, Dr. Gidudu said: “Remote sensing: use satellite imagery and drone data (earth observation) combined with AI to create detailed maps of crop health, soil moisture and nutrient levels. AI algorithms can process this data to provide real-time recommendations for site-specific management.”

Focusing on the digitization of education, Dr. Drake P. Mirembe from Makerere University College of Computing and Information Sciences, rallied universities and participants to change from the traditional methods of learning to embrace the student-centered and problem-based approach, which involves knowledge co-creation by the teacher and learner. Dr. Drake P. Mirembe is also a Member of the National Taskforce on AI.

Prof. John W. Makokha from Kibabii University explained that the North Rift of Kenya has received intensive impacts of climate change.  He then demonstrated the use of smart technology to predict climate change effects on terrestrial plant diversity and conservation for sustainable livelihoods in the North rift of Kenya. In this research, AI models through the North Rift Weather prediction system were designed for broader community adoption. It provides consistent data and advice on behavior of agricultural patterns.

As indicated through the presentations and demonstrations, the key message was that advances in technology such as AI should be adopted to contribute to the transformation of the agricultural sector. A multi-disciplinary approach to research should be undertaken to enable the different disciplines to enrich the application and usage of AI research and models. Engagement of farmers, leaders at the different levels and communities in general informs and enriches AI application and usage. Participants were informed that some of the AI areas for further research include: Investigation of how different agricultural practices affect land productivity and crop yields, studying the economic implications of adopting AI-based land use management strategies to farmers, integration of pest and diseases prediction and monitoring using AI; developing AI models for site-specific crop management to optimize inputs like water, fertilizers and pesticides, climate resilience and AI.