UKUDLA is an African – German collaborative centre that seeks to transform food systems research in Africa through interdisciplinary research, knowledge transfer and capacity building. Bringing together expertise in agri-food systems and data science, the initiative supports applied research and provides advanced training opportunities for African postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career researchers.
Held at the University of Hohenheim under the theme Data Science for Sustainable Food Systems: Facing Climate Change, the 2026 Summer School brought together participants from across the UKUDLA partnership to examine the relationship between food systems, sustainability and data science.
The programme included symposium sessions, technical training, field visits, stakeholder engagement and collaborative project work, with participants documenting their experiences through daily learning diaries.
Professor Magwaza presented his research at the Summer School.
A key feature of the programme was the Agroecology, Climate Resilience, and Indigenous and Underutilised Crops: Rethinking Value Chains for Sustainable Food Futures (ACRIUC) Symposium 2026, which featured presentations from experts in agronomy, plant breeding, agroecology and international development organisations.
Discussions highlighted several challenges affecting sustainable food systems, including limited research funding, how consumer preferences can shape research priorities and funding decisions, and barriers to the wider adoption of indigenous and underutilised crops.
Delegates emphasised the need to strengthen collaboration between natural, agricultural and social scientists, alongside policymakers and industry stakeholders, to better integrate these crops into existing agricultural systems. The importance of adapting entire agricultural value chains to support sustainable food production was also underscored.
Professor Ludidi, UKUDLA Co-Project Leader and Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences at UMP, chaired the session on plant breeding and climate resilience. Professor Magwaza, South Africa – German Bilateral Research Chair in Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems (SARChI SuReFooDS), presented research titled: The Double Role of Underutilised Crops for Climate Resilience and Protein Supply, highlighting the potential of neglected crop species to strengthen food security while improving resilience to climate change.
Professor Ludidi chaired one of the sessions at the Summer School.
Throughout the Summer School, researchers, breeders and representatives of international organisations also highlighted the importance of international collaboration in conserving seeds and managing gene banks to safeguard agricultural biodiversity and strengthen future food security.
The discussions reinforced the value of bringing together researchers from different disciplines and countries to share knowledge, develop practical solutions and build partnerships that can help create more sustainable and resilient food systems.
Adapted from an article first published by UKUDLA South Africa https://ukudla-coe.ac.za). Pictures: Theo Sammet/UKUDLA.