Acting Centre Manager – Dr. Lovemore Musemwa
The Centre for Excellence in Agroecology, Food Security, and Climate Change (CEAFSCC) in the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science at Bindura University of Science Education was established in 2018 to address the urgent challenges posed by food insecurity and climate change, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. With the world’s population projected to reach nine billion by 2050, agricultural production must grow by 60% to ensure food security. However, this growth faces significant hurdles, including the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and unpredictable climate patterns that complicate food production planning.
In developing regions, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, about 500 million smallholder farmers rely on rainfed crop production, which accounts for 80% of the food consumed. This heavy dependence on rainfall makes agriculture a risky endeavour in the face of climate change. The Centre recognizes the need to enhance the resilience of food production systems and improve output on a declining resource base. Agriculture not only contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions but is also profoundly affected by its impacts. Therefore, the CEAFSCC advocates for science-informed, sustainable agricultural practices that enhance productivity while protecting the environment. This includes the integration of agroecology and livestock management to develop more resilient food systems that can withstand climate risks and shocks.
The Centre promotes the adoption of best management practices (BMPs) that align with sustainability goals, aiming for reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased carbon sequestration. By fostering collaboration among farmers, researchers, policymakers, and communities, the CEAFSCC seeks to implement effective strategies that address the food-security-climate change nexus. Failure to tackle food security issues could lead to socio-economic stresses, including land and water disputes that may escalate into conflicts. Understanding this critical connection, the Centre is committed to building a skilled workforce equipped to develop innovative solutions that combat food insecurity and persistent poverty.
Through its initiatives, the CEAFSCC directly contributes to the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, addressing three key Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
- Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture.
- Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
By positioning itself as a leading Centre of Excellence in agroecology, food security, and climate change since its establishment in 2018, the CEAFSCC aims to drive sustainable agricultural practices and promote environmental resilience for a more secure future.
Vision:
To be a leading Centre of Excellence in Agroecology, Food Security, and Climate Change, driving sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring food sovereignty, and promoting environmental resilience.
Mission:
Our mission is to conduct cutting-edge research, foster innovation, provide quality education, facilitate collaboration, and advance sustainable agricultural practices in order to effectively address the challenges of food insecurity and climate change.
Values:
Sustainability: Promoting sustainable agricultural practices that protect and enhance the natural environment for long-term viability.
Collaboration: Fostering partnerships among farmers, researchers, policymakers, and communities to collectively address agroecology, food security, and climate change.
Innovation: Embracing new technologies, approaches, and practices to drive agricultural productivity, resilience, and adaptation to climate change.
Knowledge and Education: Advancing knowledge through robust research and education programs to equip individuals and communities with skills to address agroecological and climate-related challenges.
Equity and Inclusivity: Promoting inclusivity, gender equity, and social justice in all endeavors, recognizing the rights of all people to sustainable agriculture and food security.
Community Engagement: Actively engaging with local communities, farmers, and stakeholders to understand their needs, involve them in decision-making, and co-create contextually relevant and beneficial sustainable solutions.
Policy Advocacy: Influencing policies and advocating for the integration of agroecology, food security, and climate change considerations into national and regional strategies, ensuring a supportive policy environment for sustainable agriculture.
Main Objective of the Centre
To enhance sustainable agricultural practices and ensure food security by conducting innovative research, promoting collaboration, and advocating for equitable policies that address the challenges of climate change and food sovereignty.
One of the major factors contributing to low agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa is lack of skilled personnel, throughout the food value chain. Therefore, the main objective of the CEAFSCC at BUSE is to build capacity of agricultural professionals and climate change experts through relevant and high quality postgraduate training and applied research. The CEAFSCC shall achieve this through mutually and beneficial collaborations with national, regional, and international universities, and private and public sector.
Currently, CEAFSCC offers the following food security and climate change related degree programmes:
- MSc. in Food Security and Sustainable Agricultural Production
- MSc. in Food Security and Sustainable Agricultural Policy
- MSc. in Agroforestry
- MSc in Agroecology (coming soon)
- BSc in Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (Coming soon)
- BSc in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development (Coming soon)
- MPhil and PhD degrees
Currently the Centre is identifying partners on the African continent and beyond with a view to co-offer some of the programmes internationally. In addition to human capital development, the CEAFSCC conducts research, develops new products and services and conducts short courses for the stakeholders.
- Bio-fertilizers and Bio-Pesticides Development
- Food Product Development
- Application Development
- Policy Analysis, Development, Review and Advocacy
- Provision of Access to Finance to Youths and Women
- Value Addition of Non-timber Forest Products.
Acting Centre Manager: Dr. L. Musemwa
Secretary: Ms. P. Siinda
CEAFSCC Steering Committee
CEAFSCC Steering Committee is chaired by the Pro-Vice Chancellor (PVC)
In the absence of the PVC, CEAFSCC Steering Committee is chaired by the Dean of Agriculture or the Director of Centre. The members of the committee include:
- Pro-Vice Chancelor
- Dean of Agriculture and Environmental Science
- Director of Centre/ Acting Centre Manager
- Projects Manager
- Heads of Departments, which participate in Centre Activities.
- Project leaders/representatives
- 1st International Conference on Food Security and Climate Change, 4th to the 5th of October 2018 at Monomutapa Hotel, Harare.
- Symposium on Combating Food Insecurity in Southern Africa in the Era of Climate Change through Mitigation and Adaptation Measures being organized by the Centre of Excellence in Agroecology, Food Security, and Climate Change at Bindura University of Science Education in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, 8th to the 9th of May 2024 at the Management Training Bureau (MTB), Msasa, Harare.
- Regional Agroecology Conference, Celebration Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe June 30 th – August 1st, 2024
