The 28^th edition of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held from November 30, 2023, to December 12, 2023, in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Commonly known as COP, the conference offered a platform for climate stakeholders to deliberate on ways to address the Triple Planetary Crisis.

Away from the high-level deliberations, pledges, and decision-making sessions, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) facilitated the participation of its Fellows, young African researchers working to develop solutions for the continents’ smallholders to cope with climate change.

Supporting the Fellows, Sofiane Boudalia, a 2020 One Planet Laureate Candidate from Algeria, and Clara Chinwoke, a 2022 AWARD Policy Fellow from Nigeria, to attend COP 28 is part of AWARD’s investment in expanding the networks of African researchers, catalyzing collaborations and enhancing their visibility.

The fellows outline an account of their participation at the Summit:

“My highlight of COP 28 was the Gender Equality Day”- Clara Chinwoke

The COP28 Gender Equality Day, co-organized by UNFCCC and the COP 28 presidency, was marked on December 4, 2023, and focused on discussions to ensure a gender-responsive just transition toward implementing the Paris Agreement.

Clara reflects on the numerous similarities and lessons she learned in Gender Mainstreaming at COP 28 from different actors across the globe. She parallels her Policy Innovation Project (PIP), an output of her participation in the Gender Responsive Agricultural Systems Policy (GRASP) Fellowship, as crucial in agricultural policy formulation and implementation.

Through her PIP, she aims to develop a gender accelerator framework to assess gender responsiveness across climate change policies and projects in Nigeria.

“I saw the relevance in my PIP that I am currently working on with my mentor when I saw similar ideas at the women and gender pavilion, such as a project by Egyptian women that aims to integrate gender into climate action in rural Egypt,” says Clara.

Clara was also invited to join a network of activists working towards gender inclusion in climate change action. “The training at AWARD has made me intentional about networking and being eager to take the lead in sharing my ideas and experience with the younger generation. This contributed to my invitation to join the network and act as a mentor toward achieving its goals.”

“I was intrigued by the many scientific innovations targeting smallholder farmers in arid and semiarid regions”- Sofiane Boudalia

Sofiane’s research revolves around strengthening and creating resilient livestock food systems. A native of Algeria, where the Sahara Desert covers about 85% of the territory, Sofiane’s research focuses on strengthening food systems in harsh environments. It becomes more apparent with the changing climatic conditions.

COP 28 was a fitting forum to learn about the latest innovations targeting agricultural development in dry areas. “One of my main aims when attending COP 28 was to scout for opportunities and learn about emerging innovations from startups working in arid food systems.”

Sofiane identifies the COP 28 Green Zone as the highlight of his experience at the Summit. The Expo area showcased emerging technological and scientific climate change adaptation and mitigation innovations.

“I interacted with a group of scientists from Japan who have developed a type of algae that can be used as animal feed in regions such as North Africa. I believe this innovation can profoundly impact smallholder farmers if adopted in Algeria and Africa to reduce the reliance on imported feeds and use of large tracts of land to produce food for livestock,” says Sofiane.

Elsewhere, Rokiatou Traore, a 2019 One Planet Laureate Candidate from Mali, attended the Summit, notably participating at the Burkina Faso pavilion. She shared her work on supporting women Moringa farmers to increase their productivity with climate-positive outcomes.

Rokiatou trains farmers in producing, processing, and packaging 100% natural Moringa-based products, which she believes will positively impact the livelihood of rural women and the youth.

Dr. Miriam Karwitha is a Crop Protection Scientist at Egerton University and an African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), 2019 One Planet Laureate Candidate. Her research explores the potential of Togotia- a small African indigenous leafy vegetable- as a solution to combating nutrition insecurity and climate change adaptation in Kenya.

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Applying technological solutions and innovations is increasingly an efficient approach to fostering data-informed and accurate information generation in biodiversity monitoring and forest conservation across the globe.

2020 One Planet Laureate Candidate Douglas Bwire, a researcher at the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), partners with the Kenya Forest Service through the East and Southern Africa Forests Observatory (OFESA) to apply the Forest Alert System in Kericho County, Kenya.

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Dr. Mariama Ngom, a Researcher at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Senegal, is a 2019 African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Fellow and a mentor under the One Planet Fellowship. She works on the valorization of neglected species with nutritional potential, such as the edible strain, with the aim of addressing food insecurity caused by the effects of climate change in Senegal.

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Doreen Tekedese, a 2023 AWARD Policy Fellow, envisions the Women’s Leadership and Management Course (WLMC) as an opportunity to develop her leadership skillset in the agri-food sector. The course is part of the Gender Responsive Agriculture Systems Policy (GRASP) Fellowship under African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD).

Her expected outcome is to gain foundational skills that will help her advocate for the inclusion of women in the agricultural value chain in her home country of Mozambique. She believes it is crucial to leverage inclusive policies given that 70% of the population relies on agriculture, with rural women playing a crucial role but having little to no access to productive resources.

“I want to take the lead role in ensuring the institution of quotas in female representation in developing public economic budget documents geared towards agricultural projects for smallholder farmers,” she says.

The 2023 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report on the Status of Women in Agrifood systems lists the lack of involvement of women in the agriculture policy cycle as a gaping concern in developing agrifood systems that align with smallholder women farmers.

It outlines that “Even though more than 75 percent of agricultural policies that FAO analyzed recognized women’s roles and/or challenges in agriculture, only 19 percent had gender equality in agriculture or women’s rights as explicit policy objectives. Furthermore, only 13 percent encouraged rural women’s participation in the policy cycle.”

Doreen is one of many AWARD Policy Fellows working to integrate gender in agrifood policies. The AWARD Policy Fellows receive targeted training on leadership, mentoring, and gender in agrifood systems policies to sharpen their capability to lead policy changes toward gender-responsive options.

The WLMC is specially designed to reinforce the leadership capacity and managerial effectiveness of women professionals working in Government, International Research Centers, and other multinational organizations.

The course was recently offered to the 2023 AWARD Policy Fellows, the first in-person training for the second cohort of the GRASP Fellowship, from October 8 to 14, 2023, in Mombasa, Kenya.

The training focuses on skills such as sustaining team performance, managing conflict, and building alliances to achieve research and business results.

Dr. Maria Nassuna-Musoke, an AWARD trainer for the WLMC module and Senior Lecturer at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biosecurity, Makerere University, notes that the skills gained from the WLMC will help the Policy Fellows become capable, influential leaders in the policy space.

“Formulating policies requires streetwise knowledge in lobbying, developing networks, and shrewd pushing to adopt interventions. These are acquired skills that are not taught in school, and we make it our mission to impact these foundational skills in training programs such as the Women’s Leadership and Management Course under the GRASP Fellowship.” Dr. Musoke said.

Looking ahead, the GRASP Fellowship will continue to develop the leadership and managerial acumen of the Policy Fellows. This will be done through guided training modules across the Fellowship period and create a pool of confident female practitioners capable of influencing policy processes in the African agricultural sector.

See highlights of the week-long in-person training in Mombasa, Kenya.

(photo caption) Dr. Eméline S.P. Assèdé engaging local farmers in planting Khaya tree species.

Africa contributes just 3% of global emissions but disproportionately suffers from climate change. Heavy rains, floods, and prolonged droughts heavily impact agricultural communities and economies, increasing food-insecure populations.

In West Africa, climate change and food security challenges loom large. A 2021 report by the World Bank reveals that up to 32 million people could be displaced in West Africa due to climate change.

Dr. Eméline S.P. Assèdé, a 2021 One Planet Laureate Candidate and an Associate Professor of Conservation Ecology and Forest Management, is working to eradicate these harsh realities. She recently won a grant to lead research on sustainable management of Isoberlinia woodland and plantations to build the capacity of local actors and improve ecosystem services for the Sudanian and Sudano-Guinean zones of Benin.

Eméline explains that woodland is Benin’s most important vegetation type, accounting for 38.4% of the land cover. This forest vegetation, dominated by Isoberlinia tree species, contributes to maintaining biodiversity and, above all, the socio-economic development of local populations. Isoberlinia doka and Isoberlinia. tomentosa are two tree species generally exploited for energy sources and medicinal purposes.

Eméline notes that the forests play a pivotal role in Benin’s ecosystem and the livelihoods of its smallholder farmers. The trees are vital for firewood, charcoal, construction, and herbs, making them central to the socio-economic development of local communities. However, their unchecked exploitation has led to soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, and, ultimately, a heightened vulnerability to climate change.

Eméline’s research seeks to reverse this trend by building the capacity of local actors, including farmers and carpenters, to manage Isoberlinia woodlands sustainably. The research is ambitious and multifaceted, aiming to establish a permanent Isoberlinia open forest management center, influence policies, and promote gender equity.

“I am passionate about forestry and have worked on woodland ecology and use by local populations since 2006. Through this project, I expect to produce concrete sustainable management and restoration strategies and impact the national policies for the sustainable management of Isoberlinia woodlands,” she says.

One crucial aspect of Eméline’s project is the collaboration with local farmers. She emphasizes that because farmers are clearing massive plots of forest cover for farming, restoration and climate-resilient solution strategies are even more imperative.

She uses a participative approach to train the local farmers in Isoberlinia seedling production and sustainable agroforestry techniques to ensure they are actively involved in restoring the woodlands while protecting their livelihoods.

For Eméline, the success of this research project means achieving several milestones that will benefit local communities and contribute to broader climate resilience efforts in Benin. These include the development of sustainable Isoberlinia woodland management strategies, a technical guide for seedling production, and sustainable exploitation techniques.

Her dedication to inclusive research and collaboration is a testament to her commitment to transforming Africa’s agriculture and resilience. She is preserving the woodlands and empowering communities to thrive in a changing climate by bridging the gap between science and local knowledge.

Dr. Bolarinwa Islamiyat Folashade, a 2020 One Planet Laureate Candidate and a food scientist at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Nigeria, won two research grants from Innovative UK to support her research on developing solutions for post-harvest management.

As a little girl growing up in rural Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Bolarinwa was often frustrated seeing half of her father’s farm produce waste due to a lack of preservation facilities. Her father grew cassava, vegetables, and fruits, which were strenuous to process from harvest to market. Close to four decades later, the situation has still not improved much for smallholder farmers.

“I see lots of rotten fruits and vegetables on dumping grounds. This makes my heart bleed knowing the efforts that farmers put into cultivating these crops and how food insecure my country is,” she explains.

Bolarinwa’s first grant of £152,715 supports a project on “Development of Sustainable Edible Coatings for Perishable Tropical Food Crops Preservation: Option for reduction of post-harvest losses through the value chain.” The project aims to address the high post-harvest losses that have long plagued smallholder farmers in Nigeria, jeopardizing food security and economic stability.

Through the project, she hopes to develop sustainable biopolymer coatings that act as alternatives to chemical preservatives for extending the shelf life of perishable crops. The coatings will reduce post-harvest loss, boost productivity, and increase profitability for smallholder farmers.

This year, Nigeria’s Federal government disclosed that the country’s total economic cost of post-harvest losses stands at N3.5 trillion annually in the agricultural sector, with post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables going as high as 60%. Bolarinwa is working to change that narrative. Her innovative work promises to bring transformative changes in how Nigeria and potentially the world approach post-harvest loss challenges.

“My aim is to provide an affordable and high-quality source of plant-based protein, reducing protein-energy malnutrition and its associated health issues,” she declared.

Her second grant of £29,726 supports her work on increasing the availability of high-protein foods and reducing protein-energy malnutrition, a project titled “Development of Sustainable High Protein Food from Duckweed Plant – A Solution to Protein-Energy Malnutrition in Nigeria.”

Traditionally, animal proteins have been the primary source of nutrition, but their increasing cost and environmental impact necessitate a shift towards plant-based alternatives. In a country where protein-energy malnutrition is a persistent problem, Bolarinwa’s project offers a glimmer of hope. She is processing duckweed into a ready-to-use powder, which will be fortified into staple foods like bread and snacks, such as cookies.

Bolarinwa’s projects prioritize gender equality and inclusivity. Women comprise a large proportion of the agricultural labor force. Yet, their contribution to food security is not yet fully recognized, and how they benefit from food systems remains unequal and under-researched. Bolarinwa asserts that this reality is particularly true for Nigerian women smallholder farmers producing fruits and vegetables.

“Cultivation of fruits and vegetables is a type of ‘nutrition-sensitive agriculture’ that can improve micronutrient intake in rural households. However, post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables are very high, which is likely to affect women’s income from markets negatively,” says Bolarinwa.

Recognizing that women play a pivotal role in agriculture, both projects aim to empower women farmers through training, education, and participation in every research stage. She is committed to addressing the social, economic, and environmental factors to ensure long-term sustainability and a positive impact. By extending the shelf life of fresh produce, these initiatives contribute to economic growth, reduced waste, improved health, and reduced chemical usage.

Bolarinwa’s dedication to addressing complex agricultural challenges with innovative solutions is a testament to the power of research and collaboration. With her projects, she is transforming lives and setting new standards for sustainable agriculture and gender-responsive research, which promises to transcend national borders.

Bolarinwa highlights that her work is gaining the recognition it deserves thanks to initiatives like the One Planet Fellowship. The One Planet Fellowship Laureate Candidates are supported to enhance their leadership and research skills and to deploy a gender lens to analyze the potential of their research through a series of tailored training. The Fellowship brings together an intergenerational network of scientists from across Africa and Europe, strengthens the leadership skills of emerging climate scientists from both continents and contributes to building a robust pipeline of climate science leaders.

“The Fellowship, for the first time, allowed me to engage in a gender-responsive project during the individual project on “Community-Based Vulnerability Assessment of Gender groups to Climate Change.” The experience motivated me to develop a solid gender equality statement for the two grants,” she concluded.

KeAWARD was awarded the grant for their project on “Ufugaji bora, Uhai wetu,” two Swahili phrases meaning “Climate-smart pastoralism Our lifeline.” The project seeks to promote methane-free probiotic feed additives that will replace methane-producing microbes in livestock to reduce emissions from livestock, contributing to climate change mitigation.

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Addressing the adoption of CSA in Africa, six One Planet Laureate Candidates recently published a peer-reviewed article on ‘Climate-Smart Agriculture in African Countries: A Review of Strategies and Impacts on Smallholder Farmers.’

The devastating effects of climate change on Africa’s agri-food systems and smallholders’ livelihoods cannot be overemphasized. That is why Africa needs to transform its agricultural systems to make them more resilient and productive in a changing climate. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) provides an excellent opportunity for transformation since it jointly addresses climate challenges and food security.

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Many Ugandans still believe in the power of cooperatives and that they can create positive change in the plight of the country’s dominant yet largely unemployed youth population. A mini-impromptu online survey conducted among some categories of Ugandans found that they think Uganda needs to prioritize funding for small-scale industrial production cooperative enterprises to transform the majority and most energetic citizens.

Deborah Wendiro, a scientist specializing in industrial research and value-addition, says the Government should prioritize carefully studied, efficiently managed cooperatives anchored on small-scale agricultural commodity enterprises to absorb both skilled and semi-skilled youth.

Wendiro, Chair of Ugandan Women in Agricultural Research and Development (UGAWARD), proposes that the country first needs to implement an innovation systems approach to job creation and enterprise development.

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