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 CCFSI
A. Project Title: Soil organic carbon stocks and greenhouse gas emissions under low- and high-density livestock management systems in sub-humid Zimbabwe
Objectives:
The main objective of the study is to assess the carbon stocks and GHG emissions on farms and landscape systems interacting with livestock at different intensities.
Source of Funding: Global Research Alliance through the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)
Contributions to national development:
Contribute to the nation’s GHG inventory reporting; Climate action and natural resources management
B. Project Title: Fostering Resilient Fruit Value Chains to Enhance Rural Livelihoods in the Zambezi Valley
Objectives:
The overall objective of this project is to promote the empowerment of women involved in tamarind production, an endemic plant in the Zambezi Valley, with the aim of increasing their income and resilience to climate change while enhancing sustainability and preserving the environment.
Funded by: Foundation OCP
Contributions to national development:
Increasing income and resilience to climate change of rural women while enhancing sustainability and preserving the environment
C. Project Title: Evaluation of Symbiotic Efficiency and Competitiveness of Indigenous Rhizobia and Mycorrhiza Strains for use as Inoculants on Food and Forage legumes in Malawi and Zimbabwe
Funded by: Research Council of Zimbabwe
Objectives:
The main objectives of the project are to evaluate the symbiotic efficiency of selected elite indigenous rhizobia and mycorrhiza isolates for increased food and forages legumes in Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Funded by: International Development Research Centre’s Science Granting Councils Initiative in sub-Saharan Africa through the Research Council of Zimbabwe
Contributions to national development: Improved agricultural growth, enhanced food security, reduce hunger and poverty.
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
Research Associate:
Dr George Tonderai Mudimu
Qualifications
PhD Public Administration (Rural Development and Management), China Agricultural University, China (2020).
Master’s in Public Administration, Tsinghua University, China (2016).
Bachelor of Science (Honors) Degree-Public Administration, University of Zimbabwe (2007)
Email: gmudimu@muast.ac.zw
Email: enmasvaya@muast.ac.zw