growing up in northern ghana, kansanga experienced food insecurity early in life. times of scarcity brought famine…and bigger questions. “a couple of kilometers out,” he says “there was a food-secure region with year-round cultivation…” why? how? 

these questions guided his career, which began with the pursuit of finding out why his childhood geographical setting had the recurring issue of hunger. the beginning of the answer was in geography, of which he is now an associate professor at the george washington university. according to kansanga, geography is a tool to think and study across scale. he credits it for allowing him to “contextualize the challenges he observed at home outwardly to national and international dynamics” of global food systems and environmental justice.

as a researcher, kansanga’s work has expanded to analyzing solutions to ecological issues in a contextually relevant manner that encompasses the complexities of communities like his own. his research focus on sustainable agriculture depicts how agriculture is enmeshed with interconnected systems of food security, equity, gender, and other social dynamics. in other words, kansanga’s research is in the growing field of agroecology.

what exactly is “agroecology”?

at its most basic, agroecology is a holistic approach to understanding agriculture within the context of various interacting economic, environmental, and social systems. for kansanga, agroecology emphasizes “reorienting agriculture in an ecologically friendly manner” while maintaining a strong social justice dimension that addresses social inequalities in the food system. it’s an approach that expands beyond academia and forms what the united nations food and agriculture organization describes as a “transdisciplinary field” that “is concurrently a science, a set of practices, and a social movement” composed of 10 key elements. see the fao’s explanatory video here.

the agroecological emphasis on examining social inequalities on a local scale has been especially central to kansanga’s research, where he has found that it helps “create an atmosphere for dialogue at the local level.” this dialogue, kansanga says, often plays a key role in beginning difficult cultural discussions that reckon with themes of gender inequality and traditional family dynamics that play into agricultural systems. often, it comes with engaging communities in critical questions such as:

• does everyone have equal access to the farming process?

• how does gender inequality play out in agricultural communities where women tend to play a peripheral role?

• would food production increase if women had the same access to agricultural resources and processes?

furthermore, agroecology provides a framework for preserving and integrating local knowledge alongside innovative solutions — two components that can, at times, seem at odds with each other. but together, they offer much more, as “traditional systems,” kansanga says, “are the basis of scientific advancements in agriculture.” and given a safe environment where farmers actively collaborate with and contribute to agroecological research, kansanga says that traditional insights meet with scientific knowledge and spur innovation and studies into the scientific background of traditional practices.

for example, for centuries, local farmers in sub-saharan africa would plant in raised mounds of soil with intercropped beans and millet to consolidate nutrients and create a form of what kansanga compares to “instant manure” that increased productivity.

however, as the economic principle of maximizing growing space was popularized, many farmers moved to monoculture row crops that lost the ecological synergies of the traditional mound intercropping system. now, agroecology gives researchers like kansanga the space to study traditional practices and work with farmers to create agroecological systems that are more powerful and resilient. 

why is the community lens of agroecology important?

without the lens of communities, agriculture is understood only through the environmental and economic lenses, which kansanga says is a “limited view of how agriculture should be.” relying on technological solutions based on overlapping economic and environmental interests is like “applying a bandage without addressing structural undertones” that make systems unequal and, therefore, unsustainable.

agroecologists seek to understand how ecologically friendly principles and social justice intersect in a way that draws from the three pillars in the united nations’ understanding of sustainability: economic, ecological, and social. in his research, this unique perspective has allowed kansanga to add more nuance to conversations about sustainable food systems, or “agroecosystems,” in west africa. 

for example, kansanga’s studies include examining the multidimensional impact of africa’s green revolution, which was carried out by the alliance for a green revolution in africa (agra) with the aim of reducing food insecurity and poverty in africa. agra primarily focused on increasing agricultural productivity by expanding smallholder farmer access to mass-production technology like commercial seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation systems. however, agroecologists like kansanga emphasize that agra also had socioeconomic impacts on local farmers that changed the local distribution of wealth, displaced traditional staple crops, altered soil and land quality, and shifted gender dynamics.

under the more comprehensive scope of agroecology, kansanga worked with a team of researchers to uncover how the mechanization of smallholder agriculture in the african green revolution contributed to increased gender inequality in ghana.  local women, their research revealed, were displaced from traditional roles in the local agricultural system as the use of heavy machinery contributed to cutting down the native vitellaria paradoxa, or shea trees. in ghana, where shea processing remains one of the only livelihood domains where women control the income input, the shea trees growing in agricultural fields provided valuable access to livelihood resources and a degree of economic independence.

here, kansanga says agroecology goes beyond other approaches to agriculture – like regenerative agriculture – in that it acknowledges gains in ecological productivity and benefits, but also poses the question: “what about the inequalities that underscore the system?” agroecology argues that “inequalities should also receive attention” in agriculture and provides a framework for a community-oriented approach that encompasses social justice and equity for the most marginalized as vital components of sustainable agriculture.

beyond west africa: where do we go from here?

kansanga hopes that his research is only the beginning of cultivating more support for agroecology in and beyond the region. “africa,” he says, “has a good chance of asking the social inequity question and addressing it first because it is not neck-deep in agricultural modernization.”

unlike much of the global north, africa has what kansanga says is a late-comer advantage where intensive agriculture and heavy mechanization have yet to take hold completely, and there are remnants of traditional practices left. still, he challenges the global north to examine food systems with an agroecological approach that recognizes how their agricultural systems are interconnected with systems of inequality within the global north and to reinforce such systems in the global south. 

on agroecology,  kansanga says, “it’s working,” but its journey towards integration into mainstream consciousness is stymied by challenges of resources and funding. still, agroecology is moving the conversation of agriculture beyond the economy and the environment and back to the communities and people it sustains. it challenges advocates of sustainable agriculture to understand agriculture as more than an economic and ecological issue, but a social justice issue. agroecology offers the opportunity to build valuable communal contexts into a more equitable global food system, and for kansanga, this includes personal contexts as well, because ground zero for agroecology is home.

“i am the first and only girl in my family which alone creates expectations around me, setting an example for my brothers. i decided to take interest in an area where not a lot of girls are present,” said mwangala maunga, a multi award-winning young scientist, innovator, climate and child rights advocate from lusaka, zambia.

from a young age, mwangala was a book worm, with her readings focused on science and technology. after pondering becoming a medical doctor or an astronaut, she found herself thriving in all of the stem fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). 

clean water for all

driven by the passion to find lasting solutions to the prevailing waterborne diseases rocking most african countries, mwangala, at just 12 years old, came up with an innovative idea to produce a water purifier entirely powered by solar energy. her idea is one that supports the world’s move to more sustainable energy, which in turn plays a key role in helping both developing and developed countries in achieving many of the un’s 2030 sustainable development goals, according to the world bank group. 

she built the water purifier prototype with a combination of wooden and metal sheet enclosures, black paint for insulation, heat absorbent black trays, reflective materials, sheets of glass, glue and catch troughs.

“it is easy to use, as one just needs to put water in it and place it in the sun. however, as science develops, so does my idea,” she said. 

during our interview, mwangala, who is now 16, said she believes her water purifier idea is divine and could not have been timelier, as its conception was closely followed by the declaration of a cholera outbreak in zambia in 2017. cholera is a sometimes fatal infection of the intestines, often caused by drinking contaminated water. mwangala explains that, “the main reason i developed the water filter was because i wanted to provide clean and safe water in the simplest way possible, as opposed to a complicated water purification system.” 

according to mwangala, she nursed the idea for the solar water filter while she was in grade 5, however, she only actualized it when she was in grade 8.

“i remember sitting in a science class and drawing the draft in my exercise book,” she said. “when i showed my friend and asked if she thinks it could actually work, her answer was negative as she said it won’t go anywhere.” a few years down the line, it is evident that mwangala pressed on with her idea. 

using her voice

in an effort to widen the scope of her impact in the lives of other young girls across zambia, she founded the girl power platform, an organization that exists to create stem opportunities for girls especially in rural communities in zambia. 

“i live in the capital city which exposes me to more of these opportunities. what about girls that live in remote areas? i love to see girls thrive because i know for a fact that they have limitless potential,” mwangala said.

through her organization and her innovation, mwangala has been able to address and inspire over 600 girls in her school through stem and climate advocacy activities.

considering the fact that mwangala spends most of her time in school, she reveals she has not had ample time for community outreach. however, she plans to take this on as soon as she completes secondary school this year. “now that i am graduating, it will allow me to have more outreach time to girls in remote areas,” she said.

as she leaves high school this year, her immediate goal is to “complete a book i am working on titled, ‘this far,’ which practically highlights the major events of my life; where i started from and all leading to this point.”

she also plans to engage in mass production of the water filters by early 2023 as the water purifier prototype has gone through the necessary scientific tests and is now at the patenting stage.

her college ambitions are to pursue development studies and engineering. “i intend to reach out to more underprivileged girls in communities and inspire them with my story and educate them on climate change and how they can contribute to making our planet a better place,” she said.

mwangala reveals that she comes from a family that values education and academic achievements. because she is able to access more opportunities, she says, “i am poised to use my voice at every opportunity to educate younger girls, with support from my parents and siblings who have been real cheerleaders in my journey.” 

powered by the sun

her efforts have been crowned with several recognitions, including the best inventor in the science and tech category at the dstv africa multichoice – cartoon network powerpuff girls’ awards; the 2019 youngest recipient of the brenda muntemba award as an “emerging young african leader” at the push women awards; the youngest and only zambian speaker at the 2020 virtual international youth day which featured the youngest deputy minister of information and technology in namibia, hon. emma theofelus; and the youngest stem change maker award at the 2021 genius education zambia awards.

mwangala believes her success is determined by her “ability to do what she loves doing to her heart’s content.” using her gifts to the best of her abilities, she is willing to continue to challenge the status quo in stem by harnessing the power within her in practical ways to bring about positive change in her community and inspire other young girls towards sustainable development.

given that about 418 million people still lack access to even a basic level of drinking water in africa, access to clean water continues to be a permeating development issue. as access to clean, affordable, and safe drinking water is both a fundamental human right recognized by the united nations and goal 6 of the united nations, sustainable development goals, environmental and health benefits are both captured in mwangala’s water purifier innovation.

she has also demonstrated that solar energy remains crucial not only in providing the world with an opportunity to cut down on its carbon footprint, but also to confront the numerous impediments to sustainable economic growth worsened by climate change. 

this story was featured in our series, slipping through our fingers: the future of water.

mutezo is a wildlife lawyer, farmer, and mandela washington fellow from the teapot-shaped landlocked country in southern africa known as zimbabwe. this country is not only mutezo’s home, but host to a quarter of the world’s elephant population.

as a child, mutezo spent most of her summer holidays in a small rural village known as nyanyadzi in the town of chimanimani. while there, she nursed a love of nature, community, and agriculture, as she spent most of her leisure time in the fields with friends or in the wild. when mutezo’s father got a job for a coal mining company, her family had to relocate — and their new home just so happened to be situated around one of the oldest national parks in zimbabwe, hwange national park — also known as zim park. while at the park, she learned that every 15 minutes, an elephant is killed in the wild. this explains why only about 400,000 elephants are left in africa today, as opposed to the 10 million wild elephants that roamed the continent in the 1930s, according to the world wildlife fund.

despite this, zimbabwe has one of the largest elephant populations in the world, with a population of more than 100,000 elephants. although a testament to effective conservation efforts, this poses several challenges, as the current population exceeds zim park’s stated ideal capacity of 40,000 elephants. while elephants are near extinction in other parts of the world, zimbabwe is struggling to devise strategies to cope with overpopulation, yet the threats remain the same: human-wildlife conflict and poaching.

human-wildlife conflict is a big issue in zimbabwe, where most wildlife are found in protected areas adjacent to rural, communal lands. and not only is the elephant population increasing, the human population shares the same growth curve. the country increasingly sees food security threatened by elephants that encroach into human spaces, destroying crops and killing humans. mutezo believes this problem can be solved, which is the reason for her choice of educational path.

“after completing high school at peterhouse girls school in zimbabwe, i left my home and family to study environmental law at the university of groningen in the netherlands, one of the most prestigious law schools in europe,” mutezo says. “it was a platform for exposure to various fields of law including my area of specialization — wildlife law.”

during her studies, mutezo had the opportunity to work at the wildlife justice commission (wjc), which greatly shaped her perspective of the wildlife industry.

“it was during my work at wjc that i gained a better understanding and appreciation of the fact that wildlife crime is one of the most lucrative, illegal businesses in the world and considered a multi-billion-dollar industry,” mutezo says.

with the mass exodus of african youth to europe and america in search of better opportunities, one would expect mutezo to stay in the netherlands for “greener pastures.” instead, she packed her bags and returned to zimbabwe.

“motivated by my combined love for people and nature, and equipped with the knowledge gained from my studies and work in the netherlands, i decided to return to zimbabwe,” mutezo says. “it struck me deeply that it took leaving my home to appreciate the impact that wildlife crimes, such as poaching, have on zimbabwe — and the entire globe. my goal was and remains to find home-grown solutions to local and global issues such as wildlife crime. i would like the future generations to enjoy wildlife, too.”

it has been over 5 years since mutezo moved back to zimbabwe, and she has dedicated her law degree to wildlife conservation by working with the tikki hywood foundation.

“i am the first lawyer employed by a conservation organization in zimbabwe,” she says. “my work in case management includes legal advisory on various wildlife crime cases, including cross-border and high-profile matters, and has set precedence as to how wildlife crime cases should be handled across the region. my contribution also extends to drafting and amending key legislation including laws that ensure that endangered species such as rhinoceros, pangolin, and painted dogs are recognized and given the highest protection at law.” 

by developing partnerships with various national authorities, she co-authored a handbook on prosecuting wildlife crimes and educated law enforcement and judicial officers across zimbabwe on wildlife and the law.

“it has been a great honor to innovate and find ways to use the law as a tool to conserve and protect wildlife,” mutezo says. 

having participated in the 2022 cohort of the u.s. state department’s flagship leadership program for young african leaders, the mandela washington fellowship (mwf), at the university of nebraska-lincoln, mutezo feels she has an even tighter grip on her vision to solve the human-wildlife conflict in her country. (in full disclosure, mwf is where this author met mutezo.)

she returns with a wealth of knowledge and access to resources to effectively execute her focus project at hambai wild, a registered agri-business she founded, with the goal of finding solutions to the human-wildlife conflict, by creating natural boundaries between humans and wildlife.

“my solution to this problem is to use one endangered species to protect another, by encouraging beekeeping to scare elephants,” she says. bees, as well as chili pepper, act as natural repellents against elephants. 

“mwf allowed me to turn an idea into an action plan,” mutezo says. “the access to a coach also gave me an opportunity to fine tune the idea into a viable business model that i intend to bring to fruition back in zimbabwe. i also pitched my project to different people from whom i got constructive feedback to transition from inception to execution.”

she intends to use her prowess as a farmer and knowledge as a wildlife lawyer and policy expert to engage communities affected by wildlife conflicts.

to be more practical, she says, “hambai wild will use the contract farming model, by providing inputs to local communities such as seedlings, beekeeping kits, and by empowering the local population with technical expertise and training to grow chili peppers and keep bees. this would allow us the option of buying back the produce and selling sustainably sourced produce.”

just like in a colony where each bee plays a contributing role to the survival of the hive, she looks forward to strategic partnerships with other organizations that have successfully implemented similar models, like save the elephants in kenya and awf (african wildlife foundation) in uganda. 

says mutezo: “i encourage collective action by everyone to protect the zim’s natural resources for future generations.”

coined by australians david holmgren and bill mollison, “permaculture” is defined as “a system of agricultural and social design principles centered around simulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features observed in natural ecosystems.” with three core tenets — care for the earth, care for the people and return of surplus — the agricultural design focuses on sustainable land use.

at the kusamala institute of agriculture & ecology, luwayo biswick is an expert in permaculture. watch him explain the complexities of this method and how even the most novice farmers can make a huge impact.

(video editing by gina mcalpin)

many developing countries are challenged by poor roads in rural areas and few affordable transport options. without good transportation, access to food, farm inputs, education, and markets is limited. also, many farms have no affordable mechanical power inputs. most work is done by hand, which is inefficient.

the solution: the practical utility platform

the practical utility platform (pup) is a utility vehicle designed to provide transportation in rural areas and power to farms. it can haul up to 2000 pounds on road or off road. the vehicle can power attachments like water pumps for irrigation or grain grinders for food processing. in addition, it can pull small field implements, like tillers and planters. the pup is designed to be locally manufactured and maintained. the cost to build one is less than 2000 usd.

learn more at engineering.purdue.edu/pup/

every friday, i casually stroll down university avenue and am met by a line of burrito-crazed enthusiasts. after waiting what seems like an eternity, i finally order my all time favorite: a scrumptious steak burrito wrap with salsa and pinto beans. talk about a fiesta in your mouth! naturally, i have the tendency to scoop out and eat the best part of the burrito: the cilantro-lime rice.

little did i know that my favorite ingredient was the basis for ingenious, mind-blowing research happening right on my campus. an international team of scientists led by the university of arizona has sequenced the complete genomes of african and asian rice. those rice genome maps, and the new rice strains that come from them, may be a key reason that much of the world has enough food to eat in 35 years.

rod wing, director of the arizona genomics institute and member of the ua’s bio5 institute, and his group specialize in developing “genome maps” – tools that provide scientists and agriculturalists information that helps them understand the structure of the genome. the genetic information they produce allows scientists to better understand the growing patterns of rice species, and provides a starting point for creating new rice varieties that can withstand environmental stressors and ultimately help eliminate global hunger challenges.

the complete mapping of african and asian rice genomes allows scientists to cross the two rice strains and create new varieties that mix the high yield traits of asian rice with the hardiness of the african rice. to date, african rice has been crossed with asian rice to create a group of new varieties known as nerica, or new rice for africa.

the demand for rice is growing more rapidly in africa than in any other region of the world, but african rice can be low-yield, while drought and nitrogen-poor soil severely restrict the growing of the more popular and productive asian rice. the nerica mix allows farmers to cultivate rice in new regions, expanding africa’s ability to sustain its own rice production.

according to wing, rice will play a key role in helping solve the “9 billion people question.”

“rice feeds half of the world, and it’s half of the world that is going to double in 20 or 30 years,” wing said.

“the 9 billion people question” refers to the fact that the world’s population will increase to more than 9 billion by 2050. it also suggests that much of the population will live in areas of food scarcity. according to dave kudrna, bac/est resource center group leader at the arizona genomics institute, hunger is one of major negative consequences of the “9 billion people dilemma.”

“unfortunately, food may become a point of contention — if we cannot produce enough food to sufficiently feed society, there could be global wars for food and ultimately, survival,” kudrna said.

the research into heartier rice is still ongoing. this past year, one of ua’s partners, the international rice research institute, released 3000 sequences of the world’s most informative and influential rice genomes and lines. making the data on these lines public could help for researchers identify key problems that need solving to make rice grow in new places more efficiently, and help target rice breeding programs.

as i finished my mouth-watering burrito, i was aware that most (if not all) of our burning questions about how to feed 9 billion people do not have answers — yet. however, because of projects like the genome map, there is hope that future curious college students in food-scarce regions will be able to indulge in delicious rice-filled burritos.

emilee marie hoopes is a sophomore in the honors college at the university of arizona.

^{top photo courtesy of the slari rokupr agricultural research centre.}

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a group of universities (memorial university, university cp peru, university of southern cal, mit, univ of amsterdam, etc.) have received grant funding to research what is really happening with exports. how much of it is really being reused? what recycling practices are dangerous, and how can manual disassembly actually do better than shredding machines, etc.?