A course that trains African scientists to use genetic tools to improve food production on the continent has begun its third round, with guidance and support from UC Davis. The African Plant Breeding Academy empowers scientists with cutting-edge tools like CRISPR to tackle complex agricultural challenges and support sustainability on their continent.
Six women leaders from around the world spent fall at UC Davis, enhancing leadership and research skills to improve food systems in their home countries. Funded by a USDA grant, the program fosters collaboration, technical training, and gender-aware learning for lasting impact.
The inaugural Global Food Systems Research Day, held Oct. 24 at UC Davis, underscored the role of scientists in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences in the effort to build sustainable agricultural and distribution systems providing nutritious and affordable food to people all over the world.
At a Kenya event, the African Orphan Crops Consortium planted a jackfruit tree to symbolize food security and peace. UC Davis' Allen Van Deynze and partners are breeding resilient orphan crops to help small farmers combat climate change and hunger.
UC Davis' Feed the Future Innovation Lab showcased low-cost postharvest technologies to young African leaders. Simple solutions like solar dryers and CoolBot cold rooms can reduce food waste, boost farmer incomes, and improve food security globally.
The 2024 Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture Annual Meeting in Guatemala focused on building climate resilience for small farmers. Experts shared research, innovations, and strategies for scaling sustainable horticulture practices.
UC Davis and Universidad de La Salle students collaborated on a cacao project, fostering agricultural innovation and cultural exchange. A second project will focus on climate-smart cacao production and agroecology to strengthen Colombia’s food systems.
Master’s student María José Godoy Harb studies food system lessons from COVID-19 on Rapa Nui Island. Her research informs policy for resilience and was selected for a Vermont conference. She received multiple awards and a UC Davis Global Fellowship.
A UC Davis-led project in Nepal will test new food storage and packaging to reduce spoilage, boost farmer income, and improve nutrition. The $876K effort aims to expand food access and safety in rural communities.
The African Orphan Crops Consortium has trained 161 African scientists to improve 101 underutilized crops, aiming to fight malnutrition and stunting. Their work could benefit 700 million people in sub-Saharan Africa.
