Diversifying Food Systems - Horticultural Innovations and Learning for Improved Nutrition and Livelihood in East Africa (HORTINLEA) A transdisciplinary approach to improving value chains of African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) Presented by: ___________________ Food System ACTIVITIES Producing food Processing & Packaging food Distributing & Retailing food Consuming food Availability of technology, inputs, knowledge Packaging materials, postharvest handling standards, storage … Transport, infrastructure, marketing, contracts Purchasing, preparation, tradition/habits Mechanism Social Welfare Income, Employment, Wealth, Social capital, Political capital, Human capital Environmental Welfare Ecosystem, stocks & flows, Ecosystem services, Access to natural capital Food Access Food Security Food Availability Food Utilisation Transdisciplinary research Sustainable research networks The Food Systems Approach Solving multidimensional problems of food security requires research that addresses the following aspects: 1)Interdisciplinarity: Integrating contributions from water management, soil science, plant physiology, plant nutrition, post harvest processing, nutritional sciences, marketing, development economics, climate science, agricultural science, gender studies, resource economics, development studies, political science, communication. 2)Participation: All activities are joint achievements by a diverse range of stakeholders, from the inception of the approach to the utilisation of results. The proposal was developed jointly by researchers from Kenya and Germany (18 partner organisations). 3)Dissemination: In order to enable real changes, the elaborated knowledge will be problem orientated, relevant, applicable, gender sensitive and financially affordable to the target group of poor farmers. It will be communicated, translated and understood by the recipients, i.e. the policy makers and/ or practitioners or by suitable knowledge brokers. PhD research almost exclusively with young candidates from Kenya who will embark on careers in the Kenyan agrifood sector and science in the future. A capacity building approach to: 1) enable young researchers to strategically pursue a career in research and development cooperation through mentoring, graduate schools and targeted skills acquisition to improve their innovative and analytical capacities, 2) develop knowledge-sharing networks and research-community linkages to enable effective research cooperation that addresses strategic needs of developing countries. 25 flexibly adapted bilateral subcontracts and a cooperation agreement with 18 partner organisations. Problems of Food Security General Potential of Horticulture The underutilised potential of indigenous vegetables Hunger and malnutrition: Approximately 900 million people suffer from hunger worldwide, and 2.5 billion from micronutrient deficiencies due to low intake. In Kenya, one third of the population is malnourished. Poverty: Nearly half of the country's 43 million people live below the poverty line. More than three quarters of the population lives in rural areas. Biodiversity: 90% of the calories in the human diet come from 15 crops and 60% from 3 crops (wheat, rice and maize) Climate: Kenya is already extremely susceptible to climate-related events. Droughts and floods in particular are having a devastating effect on the environment, society and the wider economy. Hunger and malnutrition: Approximately 900 million people suffer from hunger worldwide, and 2.5 billion from micronutrient deficiencies due to low intake. In Kenya, one third of the population is malnourished. Poverty: Nearly half of the country's 43 million people live below the poverty line. More than three quarters of the population lives in rural areas. Biodiversity: 90% of the calories in the human diet come from 15 crops and 60% from 3 crops (wheat, rice and maize) Climate: Kenya is already extremely susceptible to climate-related events. Droughts and floods in particular are having a devastating effect on the environment, society and the wider economy. Provide essential micronutrients to millions of people and Reduce child mortality and improve maternal health Improve immune systems and reduce prevalence of infectious diseases in population Reduce obesity and related diseases Reduce anaemia Become an engine for economic growth (Vision 2030), providing a lucrative market offering opportunities for women and youth generating new income opportunities by value added activities Contribute to biodiversity of agricultural production systems k Provide essential micronutrients to millions of people and Reduce child mortality and improve maternal health Improve immune systems and reduce prevalence of infectious diseases in population Reduce obesity and related diseases Reduce anaemia Become an engine for economic growth (Vision 2030), providing a lucrative market offering opportunities for women and youth generating new income opportunities by value added activities Contribute to biodiversity of agricultural production systems k Production: Crop yields and quality are below their potential, Poor distribution of farm inputs, high input prices, Shortage of water, unreliability of rainfall. Postharvest handling, processing: Processing and other value-addition activities are poorly developed, Food losses of up to 50%. Marketing High prices, inadequate infrastructure, poorly organised markets. Consumption Per capita consumption is much less than required - 31 kg compared to 73 kg Consumption habits, sociocultural factors and lack of knowledge negatively affect consumption Production: Crop yields and quality are below their potential, Poor distribution of farm inputs, high input prices, Shortage of water, unreliability of rainfall. Postharvest handling, processing: Processing and other value-addition activities are poorly developed, Food losses of up to 50%. Marketing High prices, inadequate infrastructure, poorly organised markets. Consumption Per capita consumption is much less than required - 31 kg compared to 73 kg Consumption habits, sociocultural factors and lack of knowledge negatively affect consumption SP 01 - Increasing Water Use Efficiency SP 02 - Developing Integrated Pest Management Strategies SP 03 - Improving Soil Fertility Management SP 06 - Improving Varieties & Analysing Seed Systems SP 11 - Improving Institutional Arrangements SP 12 - Elaborating Value Chain Strategies SP 08 - Analysing Climate Change SP 09 - Poverty, Vulnerability and Coping of Vegetable Producers and Consumers SP 10 - Analysing Gender Dynamics Challenge 1: Transdisciplinary Research Challenge 2: Establishing a Sustainable Research Network for Locally Adapted Solutions SP 07 - Analysing Market Trends and Consumption Habits SP 04 - Assuring Postharvest Quailty SP05 – Analysing the Impact on Human Health