In January 2024, the TSARA initiative reached a major milestone in its objectives. At its second General Assembly held in Saly, the action plan and scientific agenda were officially adopted, consolidating a dynamic collaboration for action-oriented research. The initiative was able to expand by welcoming new associate members from the academic world.
A global vision for transforming food systems
TSARA is in line with the joint objective of the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) to strengthen scientific cooperation between research organizations and higher education establishments in Africa and Europe. This initiative profiles itself as a rich research, training and innovation partnership, aiming to share knowledge, methods and networks to co-construct programs and projects in support of field players and African public policies, while contributing to major international initiatives in the fields of agriculture, food and the environment.
Meeting global challenges together
TSARA's scientific agenda is rooted in high-quality, impact-oriented research. It aims to respond to global and common challenges in Africa and Europe, particularly those linked to climate disruption, by working to transform food systems to promote food security and sovereignty. The systems targeted must be productive, resilient, autonomous and sustainable, while preserving natural resources and improving social well-being and overall health.
Thematic research priorities
TSARA's scientific agenda is broken down into nine research themes, each highlighting crucial aspects for the transformation of food and agricultural systems in Africa, and is the guiding principle of the initiative.
1. Agroecological transition: Explore the ecological processes, technical feasibility, economic benefits and socio-technical environment favorable to agroecological transition.
2. Soil and climate: Adapting agricultural and forestry production systems to climate change, restoring soils and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Water governance: Rethinking water governance based on agroecology for greater agricultural resilience.
4. Adapting forest and agroforestry areas: striking a balance between forest conservation and the development of local societies, maintaining biodiversity and assessing the necessary transitions in practices.
5.One health: Understanding the links between human, animal and environmental health, with a focus on antibiotic resistance and other livestock diseases.
6. Human nutrition and health and food system transition: Explore necessary changes in diet, design nutrition-sensitive food systems, and prevent post-harvest losses.
7. The place and future of livestock farming: study herds, livestock farming systems, livestock farming professions and livestock farming areas in the context of climate change and growing demand for animal products.
8. Work-employment and income: Analyze transformations in work and employment, focusing on the interplay between tasks, contract types and drivers of change.
9. Digital: Contribute to the deployment of digital technology in agriculture, in a low-cost, fair and accessible approach, by sharing knowledge, methods and tools.
Transversalities and nexuses at the heart of the TSARA agenda
The TSARA initiative also recognizes the importance of transversalities in its research, notably by integrating aspects such as digital technology, agroecology and the consideration of risk and uncertainty into its work. These cross-disciplinary approaches will enable better understanding and more effective action on the complex agricultural and food challenges facing Africa and Europe.
We also encourage "nexus" research, focusing on interfaces between themes. A first example is the MAHDIA project funded from 2024 on the interfaces between water, food and agroecology.
By adopting this ambitious scientific agenda, TSARA is reinforcing its commitment to the transformation of food and agricultural systems.