The impacts of climate change and variability pose significant challenges to food security in Malawi, a predominantly agrarian nation heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture. A key issue is how rural smallholder farmers can adapt to these changes to safeguard their food security, improve agricultural productivity, promote sustainable food production, and build resilience in their farming practices. This project aims to address these challenges by integrating indigenous knowledge with climate-smart agricultural technologies through co-creation with rural smallholder farmers. What makes this project unique is its blend of traditional, indigenous practices – in essence SANKOFA, an African concept translated ‘go back and take it’; meaning ‘there is wisdom in learning from the past’ – with scientific approaches, helping farmers select the most effective combination of these methods to secure their food supply amid changing conditions. This approach has the potential to improve the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers, women, and rural communities by introducing innovative farming techniques that can boost yields (supporting SDG 2) and increase income (supporting SDGs 5 and 10). In the first six months, efforts will focus on engaging stakeholders and evaluating the proposed solutions, with the following twelve months dedicated to their practical implementation.
Project Lead: Dr. Adwoa Serwaa Ofori
Co-Lead: Associate Professor Karen Keaveney
University College Dublin (UCD) is leading this innovative project in partnership with Prof. Miriam Kalanda-Joshua of the University of Malawi. Dr. Andrew Jamali is the project's Societal Champion, from Malawi's National Planning Commission. The project is funded by Research Ireland - SFI SDG Challenge Fund for SDG 2 'Zero Hunger'.
The SDG Challenge supports diverse, transdisciplinary teams to develop transformative, sustainable solutions that will contribute to addressing development challenges under the UN SDGs in countries where Irish Aid works.
Funders
