Welcome to CRAFS

The Center for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS) brings together researchers and expertise from a variety of disciplines across the University of Malawi and a wide range of stakeholders, from industry, and private and public institutions, to drive research in important themes within agri-food systems. CRAFS is funded by the World Bank, through the Government of Malawi, under the Eastern and Southern Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence Additional Financing (ACE II AF) project.

An interdisciplinary research center

Our interdisciplinary research center aims to strengthen research capacity and capabilities in Malawi to carry out impactful research that leads to resilient agri-food systems grounded in science and technology

We promote, coordinate, and disseminate interdisciplinary research generated within the University and stimulate and support partnerships with external partners to find holistic solutions for a resilient agri-food system.

News and Updates

People

Key Gap Areas

Sustainable food systems are at the centre of the Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDGs1, 2, 3, 4,13) which call for significant transformations in agri-food systems to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition for all by 2030. Attaining food security is a national priority in Malawi (MW 2063; Pillars 1 and 2) and is a pillar of development in the African Union' Agenda 2063 strategic framework. The reasons for insufficient progress in attaining food and nutrition security and ending hunger are complex but include the role of

High Post-harvest Loses and Limited Capacity in Food Science & Value Addition.

Weak Information Systems, Data Analytics & Use.

Limited Contextualization of Climate Models and Early Warning Systems.

Low Community Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Variability & Adverse Events.

Vision and Objectives

Our Vision is to Provide answers and solutions to the challenge of ensuring that everyone in the world has access to enough safe and nutritious food in harmony with the environment. Our center aims to provide a platform for:

Academic Capacity

Building institutional capacity to increase demand, expand enrollments and provide for quality post-graduate education in key themes within agri-food systems.

Research Capability

Building institutional capability to conduct high quality applied research, relevant to addressing key challenges to attaining resilient agri-food systems

Partnerships

Developing and enhancing partnerships with other academic institutions for academic excellence, and with industry and the private sector for greater impact

Our Work

We stimulate and support research & postgraduate teaching within the University and in partnership with external partners to find holistic solutions for a resilient agri-food system.

Exchanges programmes

Enrollments

Short courses

Incubation programmes

Academic Excellence

Promoting excellence in teaching and learning at postgraduate level in key thematic areas within agri-food systems by supporting revision of existing programmes, development of new programmes, accreditation and improvement of teaching and research facilities.

CRAFS in Numbers

The Centre for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS) at the University of Malawi is dedicated to advancing research, education, and innovation in the field of agri-food systems. Here are some key statistics that highlight our impact and contributions to the field.

208

Scholarships Awarded

Exchange Programs Sponsored

Postgraduate programmes

Short Courses done

Faculty Members

350

Short Courses Participants

Exchange programs Participants

189

Publications

Areas of Research

Incubation Calls Held

Proposal calls

Our Partners

CRAFS has developed and enhanced partnerships with other academic institutions for academic excellence, and with industry and the private sector for greater impact.

Contact Information

Find Us

CRAFS on Social media