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New ARC-DALLRD-UFS research chair to focus on food and nutrition security

07 August 2024 | Story André Damons | Photo André Damons

Dr Alba du Toit, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development, is leading the newly established Innovative ARC-DALLRD-UFS Agro-processing for Climate-smart Food System research chair at the UFS.

The Innovative Agro-processing for Climate-smart Food System research chair, one of four ARC-DALLRD-UFS research chairs recently established at the University of the Free State (UFS), will focus on innovative agro-processing technologies that could affect food and nutrition security. The chair’s work will also focus on improving food systems that can impact socioeconomic development.

In a concerted effort to address the challenges and effects of climate change in Southern Africa, the UFS, together with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), established four new research chairs within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS).

The other research chairs are Climate Change and Agriculture, Agriculture Risk Financing and Sustainable Livestock Production and together with the Innovative Agro-processing for Climate-smart Food System research chair, and fall under the umbrella of climate change. They will also be part of the centre of excellence of the ARC and DALRRD on Climate Smart Agriculture.

Dr Alba du Toit, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development, will lead the Innovative Agro-processing for Climate-smart Food System research chair and says the chair allows researchers to dedicate their time and effort towards research. It consolidates expertise, resources, and facilities to strengthen the research team’s capacity and will have a strong foundation for sustainable development goals. The chair provides a hub for collaboration between the UFS, ARC and DALLRD to focus on regionally engaged research with maximum societal impact.

The chair, which officially started on 1 July, also allows researchers to do trans- and multi-disciplinary, relevant and cutting-edge research.

Nixtamalisation could transform the food system

“We believe that nixtamalisation could transform the food system. However, the consumer’s willingness to adopt and embrace new products and techniques is dependent on the success of the initiative.

“Thus, innovations in new product development must be consumer-led since the consumer is constantly evolving, making it imperative to understand consumer behaviour and motivations behind decision-making,” says Dr Du Toit.

The nixtamalisation process, she explains, is a multistep technique commonly employed in Mexico, Central America and the southern regions of the US to transform maize into food products. The nixtamalisation process alters the physicochemical, nutritional and sensory properties of maize products by increasing protein quality, improving the content of calcium, magnesium and potassium and reducing mycotoxin levels.”

According to Dr Du Toit, by using the principles of circular food design, they will develop products that could provide solutions and support the food system. It involves using processing technologies that could be applied and implemented by anyone with access to a basic kitchen.

“This would benefit rural farmers and communities, small-scale and emerging farmers to provide food for themselves and become economically active small business owners. We believed the right product could not only influence the food security and well-being of individual households but also stimulate entrepreneurial action, which could benefit the community and overcome barriers to make nixtamalisation an acceptable practice for all,” says Dr Du Toit.

Maize and sorghum

“Maize and sorghum are staple crops in South Africa that are not being utilised to their full potential. South Africa is well known for its maize production, and it is the staple for most of the population in the form of pap. However, the reliance on pap exaggerates the issues of food and nutrition insecurity because pap cooked from Super Maize Meal is deficient in nutrients and often consumed in isolation without diversification in the diet.

“Sorghum is another cereal crop that is climate-smart, drought-resistant and suited in South Africa’s arid and semi-arid areas, while it offers good nutritional value. However, most consumers are not familiar with the crop except for its application as an instant porridge. Nixtamalisation is a process that could benefit consumers as maize and sorghum could be transformed into nutritious, safe meals directly from the farm to the fork,” explains Dr Du Toit.

Home-grown dried whole maize kernels, she continues, could be converted into safe and delicious meals in homes using basic equipment as it is widely and effectively done in Mexico by rural women. The research will determine if consumers would accept the process of nixtamalisation, whether the products would be acceptable, and if the nutritional value would be comparable to commercial products.

Some of the news consumer-acceptable products already developed, include maize chips, dehydrated phutu pap, and corndogs. Currently, the team is working on maize-milk, maize-milk frozen dessert and a custard tart. Maize products have the advantage of being lactose- and gluten-free and thus would appeal to consumers of plant-based products.

Societal impact

Dr Du Toit says she is excited about the societal impact this project will have on communities and the country and is hopeful that they will be able to influence policymakers and the industry to provide more nutritious staples that could be “game-changers” for the sake of society. She is looking forward to collaborating with DALRRD, the ARC and the grain industry to ensure that partnerships are strengthened and new opportunities are created for the staff and students.

Prof Wilna Oldewage-Theron, a Professor of Nutrition in the College of Human Sciences at Texas Tech University, will join the research chair next year as the co-leader. She has experience in community nutrition research in Africa, and her research interests include the factors contributing to household food insecurity and malnutrition in resource-poor communities. She will be focused on the nutritional benefits of soy for human health.

Prof Maryke Labuschagne, who is leading the NRF SARChI Chair in Diseases and Quality of Field Crops and who is passionate about impacting malnutrition, has been appointed as mentor for the chair.

News Archive

Conference: Expanded ARV treatment

2005-03-02

VENUE: University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
DATE: 30 March 2005 - 1 April 2005

ARV Programme as on 24Feb Download Word document
Programme Special events Download Word document

Official web site www.fshealth.gov.za/subsites/arvc

Rationale for the Conference
At the time of the planned Conference, much ground would have been covered, both in the Free State and in South Africa, in respect of the expanded public sector ARV treatment programme in respect of research, experiences in practice, training of staff, treatment of patients, lessons learned, successes and failures, etc. The time would then be quite opportune to share these in a systematic manner with other provinces and countries, as well as with the large variety of stakeholders and role players in the ARV and related domains, be they academics and researchers, policy makers and service/facility managers, the variety of caregivers, and the community organisations and affected patients.

The Conference and current research
The proposed Conference is, firstly, directly linked to the current research on the public sector roll-out of ARV treatment in the Free State conducted by several research institutions (e.g. CIET, CHSR&D, UCT Lung Institute). Secondly, the Conference could and would serve as a forum for other research groups in the country and further a field to report and share knowledge and experiences on ARV treatment and related initiatives. Lastly, the Conference will stage a golden opportunity for researchers and scientists, on the one hand, and policy makers, managers, and caregivers (as knowledge users), on the other hand, to engage in cross-disciplinary discourse on this mutual and topical theme.

Theme of Conference
Expanded ARV treatment in the Free State: sharing experiences

Focus
The focus is primarily on public sector ARV treatment in the Free State, but also initiatives/activities/perspectives of relevance to the Free State elsewhere in the country at large and further a field, as well as relevant ARV initiatives in the public, private, NGO and FBO sectors. Bear in mind, however, that ARV treatment is but part of a much more comprehensive approach to HIV and AIDS. The Conference will, therefore, not narrowly focus on the ARV treatment programme only. The broader context, other relevant dimensions, and a comprehensive approach to the challenges of HIV, AIDS and TB are of equal importance.

The purpose of the Conference
Enhance meaningful exchange, mutual understanding and collaboration among researchers, scientists, policy makers, managers and practitioners in the field of ARV treatment and related fields.

Share experiences in the various spheres of ARV treatment and related spheres (policy, management, practice, research, training, public-private-civil society sectors).

Record, reflect and report on the establishment of the ARV treatment programme in the Free State, and in within the context of the comprehensive HIV/AIDS programme.

Disseminate important research results on ARV treatment and related themes to health policy makers, managers, practitioners, communities and to the research community.

Stimulate discourse among various disciplines and various stakeholders/role players involved in ARV treatment and related programmes.

Sensitise and acquaint researchers to the requirements of policy makers, managers and practitioners in respect of ARV treatment and related fields.

Facilitate the implementation of research results in ARV treatment policy, programmes and practice.

Dissemination of Conference-related information
Information generated during the Conference could feed into policy, management and practice of ARV treatment, the training accompanying such programme, and the existing body of knowledge. After the Conference the information will be disseminated via the Internet and by scientific and popular publications.

Date and duration
Set for 30 & 31 March & 1 April 2005; to commence at 09:00 on the first day (30 March) and to end at 16:30 (1 April) the third day.

Format and scope of Conference
Alternating plenary, parallel sessions and debates focused on topical issues and interest groups. The Conference will strive to be maximally interactive and participative.

Themes and topics to cover:

Policy, management and health services/practice (various levels and contexts – clinical treatment, information, IT systems, pharmacy, laboratories, nutrition)
Research covering all relevant disciplines and diverse dimensions of ARV treatment and related themes
Training and evaluation of training
Patients, communities and civil society organisations
Public, private, NGO, FBO initiatives and partnerships

Emphasis will be on the Free State, however, with of significant involvement from other provinces, SADC countries, and countries further a field. The thrust will be to export lessons and experiences from the Free State, but also to import lessons and experiences from other provinces, countries and sectors.

Presenters
Key presenters from the Free State, other provinces, South Africa, from the private, FBO and NGO sectors, and from several other countries

Delegates
About half of the delegates will be Free State stakeholders and role players (all levels and all contexts). The other half will be role players and stakeholders in the ARV and related fields from other provinces, the national level, and other countries, as well as from the private, public and non-governmental sectors.

Focused workshops
Provision will be made for half-a-day or one-day workshop initiatives on the third day (1 April 2005).

Enquiries
For more information please contact:

Prof Dingie van Rensburg
Centre for Health Systems Research & Development
University of the Free State
PO Box 339
Bloenfontein
SOUTH AFRICA
9300

Contact:
Carin van Vuuren
Conference Organiser
Centre for Health Systems Research & Development
University of the Free State
P.O.Box 339
Bloemfontein
South Africa
9300
Tel +27 (0) 51 401 2181
Fax +27 (0) 51 4480370
Cell 0832932890
e-mail: arvconference.hum@mail.uovs.ac.za

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