Rooted in practice: 17 success stories of science making a difference (2018–2024)

The AgriFoSe2030 program assists countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia to strengthen their capacity to synthesize and translate robust scientific evidence into policies and practices. These aim to accelerate the transition toward more sustainable food systems and contribute to improved food security.

By utilizing a knowledge co-creation approach, the program brings together a network of researchers, practitioners and policymakers to develop context specific solutions that are grounded in local knowledge and expertise. Within the period covered by this report (2018-2024), AgriFoSe2030 aligned its workplan to focus on sustainable agriculture production and food security. This work was then organized into four solution-oriented “challenge areas” identified in consultation with partners in sub-Saharan Africa, South and South East Asia.

They include:

1. Improving access to safe and nutritious food
2. Agricultural productivity and ecosystem functions
3. Science-based innovation and extension
4. Smallholder agriculture within transforming food systems

Within each challenge, there were approximately four illustrative change projects showcasing practical science translation processes for addressing a range of issues within agriculture and sustainable food systems. This report highlights some of the impacts in all 17 change projects under each of the four challenge areas listed above. The detailed compendium of impacts is available on the program’s website.

This report was compiled by the AgriFoSe2030 team, with support from SEI’s Ivar Virgin, Selorm Kugbega, Brenda Ochola and Silvija Marcinkevičiūtė.