As the world grapples with the complexities of food security in an ever-changing climate, global discourse has evolved from stressing on calories alone, to focusing on nutrition and food pathways. This transformative wave— a head nod to indigenous wisdom— is particularly relevant to Africa, a continent brimming with potential for a more resilient and nourishing food future.
“As far as I know, this is the first time that anyone has actually done this,” says Dr. Fowler. “We’ve figured out which of the crops that are essential, critical for nutrition, and how they are going to do with respect to climate change. We’ve done that with individual crops, here and there, but not for a whole food system.”
In the face of mounting challenges—from climate variability to entrenched infrastructural barriers— VACS offers hope and direction. It is a testament to the power of collective action and shared purpose in shaping a more nourished, resilient, and prosperous future for Africa and beyond. Fundamental to VACS's vision is the acknowledgment of women's pivotal role in agriculture. For centuries, women have nurtured and cultivated traditional crops, passing down knowledge through generations. By empowering women and investing in the crops they have long tended, VACS not only addresses food insecurity but also confronts the pervasive issue of childhood malnutrition— a major barrier to prosperity and development.
“For the first time, we have a rational basis for making investments in agricultural development,” explains Dr. Fowler. “It means that we in the state department, for instance, can go to other governments, to development agencies, to the private sector, to philanthropies, and say, we've gone through this scientific process, and we now have a rational basis for making investments that will pay the maximum, biggest bang for the buck, if you will, for nutrition and health, in Africa.
Dr. Fowler believes that, over time, changing climate will be one of the greatest drivers towards dietary change— particularly as production levels of staple crops decline, causing them to become more expensive.not been able to feed himself or his family. He and his family have received one sack of food aid as of February 2024, but with no other stocks and dry fields they are concerned about running out of supplies.