Health, Heat and Wellbeing
Sustainable, Healthy and Resilient Animal Source Food Systems in Southern Africa | ASCEND Synthesis Team
By using systems mapping and expert input, the project seeks to provide actionable recommendations to enhance the resilience and sustainability of animal source food systems across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in response to climate variability.
Overview
About this synthesis team
By using systems mapping and expert input, the project seeks to provide actionable recommendations to enhance the resilience and sustainability of animal source food systems across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in response to climate variability.
The Challenge
Livestock systems in Southern Africa are exposed to drought, heat stress, and shifting disease vectors, while millions depend on animal source foods for essential nutrition. Agricultural, veterinary, climate, and nutrition data are held by different institutions and seldom analysed as one system.
Our Approach
The team integrates livestock production and disease surveillance data with climate projections and household nutrition surveys, co-designing resilience guidance with farmer organisations, veterinary services, and agriculture departments.
Expected Outputs
- Regional food system resilience map
- Practitioner toolkit for resilient livestock systems
- Policy recommendations for nutrition and agriculture ministries
People
Team members
Researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers contributing to this synthesis team.
Project leads
2 membersMichelle North
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Liveness Banda
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Project members
13 membersBarbara Häsler
Royal Veterinary College
Andrew Arlington
Regenerative Agriculture Association of Southern Africa
Andrew Bennie
Institute of Economic Justice
Bettie Kawonga
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Julius Musevenzi
University of Zimbabwe
Kevin Queenan
Royal Veterinary College
Mjabu Ngidi
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Rebone Moerane
University of Pretoria
Scott Drimie
University of Stellenbosch
Vincent Henwood
Department of Agriculture, South Africa
Wilson Nandolo
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Vimbai Hamandishe
University of Zimbabwe
Trust Shumba
Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization and Irrigation Development, Government of Zimbabwe
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