Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

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Dr. Karen Cloete

Member since
Organization: University of South Africa
Country: South Africa
Field(s) of expertise:
I am working on:

Using phyto-nano-engineering to develop and test the potential of nanofertilizers to promote plant establishment and growth.

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    • One of the greatest challenges in advancing strategic science-policy interfaces for agrifood systems in South Africa is ensuring effective communication and collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to inform evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation. The FAO guidance can help address this challenge by providing frameworks, tools, and best practices for establishing and strengthening science-policy interfaces at the national and sub-national levels.

      Here are some ways in which the FAO guidance can be practical and usable at the country level, with suggestions for improvement:

      1. Tailored Approach: The FAO guidance should be adaptable to the specific context, needs, and priorities of South Africa's agrifood systems. It should take into account the country's unique socio-economic, political, and environmental conditions, as well as the diversity of stakeholders involved.
      2. Capacity Building: Provide capacity-building support to enhance the skills and knowledge of stakeholders involved in science-policy interfaces. This could include training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities to strengthen their understanding of scientific evidence, policy processes, and communication strategies.
      3. Engagement and Participation: Facilitate meaningful engagement and participation of diverse stakeholders, including farmers, industry representatives, civil society organizations, and local communities, in the science-policy dialogue. Ensure that their perspectives, experiences, and needs are adequately represented and considered in decision-making processes.
      4. Transparent and Accessible Information: Ensure transparency and accessibility of scientific information, data, and evidence to policymakers and stakeholders. Develop user-friendly platforms, databases, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms to disseminate relevant research findings, reports, and policy briefs in a timely and comprehensible manner.
      5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and co-production of knowledge between scientists from different disciplines (e.g., agriculture, ecology, economics, sociology) and policymakers. Foster mutual learning and exchange of expertise to address complex agrifood system challenges from multiple perspectives.
      6. Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness and impact of science-policy interfaces over time. Develop indicators and benchmarks to assess the uptake of scientific evidence in policymaking, the quality of policy outcomes, and the extent of stakeholder engagement.
      7. Policy Coherence and Integration: Promote policy coherence and integration across relevant sectors (e.g., agriculture, environment, health, trade) to address interconnected challenges such as food security, climate change, and biodiversity conservation. Encourage the alignment of agrifood policies with national development priorities and international commitments (e.g., SDGs, Paris Agreement).
      8. Long-Term Commitment: Recognize that building effective science-policy interfaces is a long-term process that requires sustained commitment and investment from governments, research institutions, and development partners. Foster political will and institutional support to prioritize evidence-informed policymaking and strengthen the role of science in decision-making processes.

      By incorporating these suggestions, the FAO guidance can be more practical and actionable for advancing strategic science-policy interfaces for agrifood systems in South Africa, ultimately contributing to more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems.