Food Security, Nutrition, and Sustainable Agriculture Nexus: The Role of Higher Education in Attainment of Zero Hunger in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Sustainable development goal 2 (SDG2) is about creating a world free of hunger by 2030. Southern Africa faces a myriad of challenges affecting food and nutrition security, from population expansion, old and emerging pandemics, increased frequency of climate-induced natural disasters, ageing infrastructure, and challenging service delivery. The increased shocks and hazards and inadequate social safety nets have changed the dimensions of food and nutrition insecurity, giving rise to new roles for higher and tertiary education. Higher education (HE) institutions are expected to play a more active role in capacity building and producing goods and services that can contribute to the achievement of SDG2. This chapter assesses the role of HE towards the attainment of SDG2 which seeks to eliminate hunger and all forms of malnutrition. The chapter will highlight an insect-based value chain project as an example of HE contribution to reducing food insecurity. Through the case study, the chapter will explore the role of HE in community engagement, human capital development, and conducting research that informs policy and programming decisions. Furthermore, the chapter explores the role of North–South Collaborative research, interdisciplinary collaborations, and innovation hubs in developing innovations that can transform food systems and help build resilience in the face of the increasing climate and health shocks. Within these spaces, the contribution of HE to the achievement of food and nutrition security in Africa can be realised, and this approach replicated in other African institutions seeking to engage in such work.

Citation

Chopera, P., Matsungo, T.M., Bhatasara, S., Ranawana, V., Fiore, A., Manditsera, F. and Macheka, L. (2024), "Food Security, Nutrition, and Sustainable Agriculture Nexus: The Role of Higher Education in Attainment of Zero Hunger in Zimbabwe", Cripps, K. and Thondre, P.S. (Ed.) Higher Education and SDG2: Zero Hunger (Higher Education and the Sustainable Development Goals), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 65-85. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83608-458-720241004