Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

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Prof. Xolile Mkhize

Member since
Organization: Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban - South Africa
Country: South Africa
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I am working on:
My projects are focusing on the promotion of building resilient food systems through the collaborations on the energy,water,food nexus. This involves interventions of incorporating indigenous foods within diets of urban and rural people through innovation and smallholder farmer capacitation.

I hold both a PhD in Food and Nutrition and serve in the South African National Food and Nutrition Security Coordinating Committee. I also am a council member for the Nutrition Society of South Africa and Wageningen University & Research University Alumni through the Netherlands Universities Foundation for International Cooperation (Nuffic). I have collaborated with various stakeholders such as universities, industry and NGO's globally and locally. 

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    • 1. How can ATIO KB assist you and users like you?

      The ATIO KB can be an opportunity to explore the significance of indigenous knowledge in food production and in climate change adaptation needed for building a resilient Agrifood system from grassroot level. Thus, it can be a contribution to big data generation and management and can be used as a reference base for ethical data sourcing. Furthermore, this is an opportunity to utilize these technologies towards expanding on local food markets to deliver more nutritious food. 

      2. What's your take on concepts like policy innovation and social innovation?

      The integration of these two concepts is vital since policy innovation tackles issues of bringing transformation within the technology aspect. Whilst social innovation deals with inclusivity of the human aspect more in relation to social dynamics.  The FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031 underscores that both these concepts for innovation are important in transforming the agri-food systems for “better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind”. Infusing both concepts is essential.