Director:
Dr Esther Masvaya
Qualifications:
PhD Farming Systems Agronomy – Wageningen University (2019)
MSc Soil and Environmental Management – University of Zimbabwe (2007)
BSc Honours in Agriculture (Soil Science) – University of Zimbabwe (2005)
Contacts:
Cell: Cell: +263 773 930 240/+263712 390 279
Email: enmasvaya@muast.ac.zw
Overview:
The Climate Change and Food Security Institute is an interdisciplinary academic institute at MUAST established to address key, international challenges – in this case, the food security in the face of climate change. Climate change will affect food security through its impacts on all components of global, national and local food systems. Climate change will affect the four dimensions of food security defined as “availability” of enough and quality food, “access” to nutritious and adequate food by individuals, “utilisation” of food to meet all socio-physiological needs and “stability” of availability, accessibility, and utilization of food.
The CCFSI fosters learning and discovery through excellence in basic and applied research, education and service that addresses local and global needs through, and contributes research-based knowledge to make a difference in people’s lives. The Institute work with MUAST Faculties and partners to discover, develop and deliver innovative solutions to achieve food security. CCFSI investigations inform predictions for future climate change-based food security upon an understanding of the full dynamic range of the natural climate system and the evolving dramatic influence of human activity.
Function
Contribute to the overall richness and variety of the mission of MUAST by:
1.Conducting cutting-edge, forward-looking research.
2.Providing service to individuals and the community through technical backstopping and participatory research.
3.Participate in the education of graduate students, fellows, and others.
4.Fostering educational opportunities for students.
5.Resource mobilisation.
Vision
To be a leading institute in the development of climate resilient, transformative and sustainable, participatory research-based solutions that enhance nutrition, health, livelihoods, and the environment through improved food systems.
Projects:
Project Title: The Political Economy of Tobacco Production and Control in Mozambique and Zimbabwe
Objective: To interrogate how the political economy of tobacco supply impacts tobacco control efforts in a number of Low to Middle Income Countries
Contributions to national development: Understanding of factors that shape the policy process on tobacco production.
Project Title: Indigenous Microsymbionts for Food and Forage legumes: Deriving ecosystems services from Agricultural Biotechnology
Objective: To develop effective indigenous microsymbionts and a biological control system for increased crop productivity, improved soil health and food safety in Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Contributions to national development: Improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through the application of agricultural biotechnologies which increase productivity and reduce food contamination through:
1.Isolation of efficient indigenous rhizobia
2.Mycorrhiza inoculants for food and forage legumes.
3.Effective non-aflatoxigenic (atoxigenic) Aspergillus flavus strains for mycotoxin control in maize and groundnut.
4.Training of postgraduate students in agronomy, rhizobiology and microbiology
Project title: Fostering a country-driven process to develop sustainable capacities of academia for a more holistic engagement in the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement: working with university educators in the agriculture and land-use (AFOLU) sectors in Zimbabwe
Objective: This project aims to strengthen the engagement of academic experts and institutions in the AFOLU sector in the UNFCCC processes at the national level, thereby fostering enhanced transparency in AFOLU-related climate reporting and action in Zimbabwe in the short and long term
Contributions to national development:
1.Greater relations and alignments between the government and academia in addressing the Paris Agreement requirements fostered in the short run
2.Capacities of university educators to connect their classrooms to the ongoing global efforts and train the next generation of practitioners, scientists, and leaders enhanced over the mid- to long-run
Research Professor:
Prof Justice Nyamangara
Qualifications
PhD Agriculture (Soil fertility & environmental soil pollution chemistry) – University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe (2001)
MSc Soil Science – University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom (1993)
BSc Honours in Agriculture (Soil Science) – University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe (1989)
Email:jnyamangara@muast.ac.zw
Research Professor:
Prof Nhamo Nhamo
Qualifications
PhD Agricultural Sciences – University of Bonn, Germany (2008)
MPhil Agriculture – University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe (2003)
BSc Honours in Agriculture (Soil Science) – University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe (1996)
Email:nnhamo@muast.ac.zw
Email: enmasvaya@muast.ac.zw