New book on multifunctional land uses in Africa and sustainable food security solutions

In January 2017 six African young researchers met when participating in an AgriFoSe2030 training course on ‘Translating Science into policy and practice’ in Nairobi, Kenya. The researchers had different scientific back- grounds, but all shared a research focus on multifunctional land use issues with relation to food security.

In-depth discussions lead to a book

The in-depth discussions between the researchers were many and apart from all the challenges and issues associated with sustainable land use and food security, it was obvious that the scientists also had research material that demonstrated successes in the field. As an outcome of discussion and debate, they proposed to publish their multifunctional land use case studies as a book. And here we are...

Improving practices within the agricultural sector

The AgriFoSe2030 programme is built around a consortium of scientists from Swedish universities. AgriFoSe2030 focuses on sustainable agriculture for increased food security and production. The core activity is translating state-of-the–art science for supporting better policy making and use of improved practices within the agricultural sector, targeting young scientists in the global South as the key agents in this process.

Cheikh Mbow, Adjunct Associate Professor at the Forestry Department of Michigan State University-USA and lead author for the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) of IPCC-AR5, has endorsed the book and means that it addresses what most national policies does not often mention in their sectoral approaches. Hear him explain some of the issues that hampers upscaling of agroforestry and multifunctional land uses:

If you are looking for information about how production at the local scale is influenced by various geographies, social behavior, marketed drives, and cultural beliefs, get this book as guidance in content and methods to address what most national policies does not often mention in their sectoral approaches.
- Cheikh Mbow, Former Executive Director of START International

Translating science into policy and practice – a hars task

To translate science into policy and practice is hard. The causal link between research-based results and processes outside academia is usually difficult to prove and the timing, language and level of detail is a struggle. Despite these hurdles, the relevance is clear, and the desire exists, particu- larly within the societies and environments where the authors of this book are working.

– Therefore, this book can be seen as an important element, and part of the puzzle of using science-based work by scientists in their African context, translated into a format that can be digested by many. We therefore hope that this book can inspire and support the shaping of future policies and practices, says Madelene Ostwald.

Cheikh Mbow, Adjunct Associate Professor at the Forestry Department of Michigan State University-USA outlines why agroforestry products does not reach conventional supply chains: