Purpose of FoodAfrica

Contact:
FoodAfrica Secretariat
Natural Resources Institute
The University of Greenwich at Medway
Central Avenue
Chatham Maritime
Kent ME4 4TB
United Kingdom

Email: Keith Tomlins
Tel: +44 (0)1634 883360
Fax: +44 (0)1634 883567
Web: www.nri.org

Themes
Participants

Dramatic population growth will lead to a rapidly changing socio-economic environment in many African countries. By 2020, the global population is predicted to increase by 31% to reach 7.6 Billion and 98% of the increase will take place in developing countries. Urban populations will double in size, reaching 3.4 billion. Health hazards are also threatening the quality of life.

Food systems in sub-Saharan Africa will have to respond to this changing environment. New challenges are arising that food research and development scientists will have to tackle to ensure food security, economic growth and 'quality of life' of the population.

Food safety is important for national markets and also for export. Urbanisation is changing the demand for foods and brings with it new opportunities for income generation and employment. The urban and rural poor need access to good quality food that is affordable and nutritious. New threats to health, such as HIV/AIDS also make demands on food systems.

The FoodAfrica initiative will address these critical issues through an Internet-based Forum and an International Working Meeting which will:

• Review the current research and development activities that affect food systems in sub-Saharan Africa;
• Identify gaps in current food and health research strategies;
• Recommend future research strategies; and
• Improve the links between researchers, in particular young scientists, in Africa and Europe.
  

Themes

• Food, Nutrition and health: making a link
• Food safety and quality management
• Impact of urbanisation of food systems
• Agro-food enterprises: adding value and meeting consumer demand
• Food security: access and quality

Participants

• Research and development workers with interest in nutrition, food or food based systems;
• Young scientists;
• Policy makers, private sector, NGOs, development planners etc.