Human Health Plant Health Environment Health Education Research

Nutrition, Health & Food Security

In Africa, agriculture is the most important sector, which, according to World Bank (2015) data, employs 65 per cent of the continent’s labour force and accounts for 32 per cent of its gross domestic product. Although Africa’s agricultural performance has improved since 2000, growth is still slow, largely constrained by pests, parasitic weeds and poor soils, and decreasing land holdings.

 

The aim of the bwi plant health theme is to contribute towards improving agricultural production in Africa, with the overall goal of contributing to food security, human and environmental health, and to household and national economies.

 

bwi aims to protect agriculture-based economies of low- and middle-income countries in …

Learn More

Amplifying the Influence of Science

Despite the wealth of data available about agriculture and the environment, major gaps remain. Further effort is needed to curate, synthesize and make more accessible existing data and evidence, to turn it into useful knowledge that is available to different stakeholders who are working to solve problems in these fields. 

 

bwi uniquely combines original scientific research, scientific publishing, independent journalism on science for development, and practical expertise in using digital and other tools to reach farmers and other stakeholders with scientifically proven approaches.

 

Our Approach:

 

  • We bridge the gap between scientific research and action, turning insights in agriculture and the environment into tangible policies and practices …

    Learn More

Gender and youth

While women constitute 43% of the agricultural workforce, they produce 20%–30% smaller crop yields than men due to their lack of access to and control over resources, including land, labour, credit, agricultural information, inputs and market opportunities. Young people likewise struggle with low levels of access to farming finance, information and land, which limit their opportunities in rural areas.

 

Breaking down the barriers to women and young people’s employment in agriculture can benefit agriculture, food security, and communities. For example, if male–female differences in access and yields could be overcome, the number of undernourished and hungry people worldwide would fall by 100–150 million.

 

We use our understanding of how gender, social relations and underlying power …

Learn More

Climate change

Climate change amplifies the impacts of other risks for smallholder farmers, such as extreme weather and pests and diseases. No longer regarded as a future challenge to be faced in the next few decades, climate disruption is already causing substantial losses to agriculture by speeding up biodiversity loss and the spread of crop pests and invasive species.

 

Invasive species have been estimated to cost Africa's agricultural sector $65.58bn per year. Taken together, the impacts of climate change undermine development gains and push people back into, or further into, poverty.

 

bwi empowers people with skills, tools and knowledge to adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of climate …

Learn More

Food security

Too many people worldwide lack access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. As many as 828 million people still go hungry. Many of these people are either smallholder farmers or they depend on their output - 80% of food consumed in developing regions is grown by small-scale farmers. With food demand expected to grow by more than 70% by 2050, there is a need to put in place sustainable food systems that work for smallholders.

 

Supporting the integration of smallholders into these systems and minimizing their crop losses (up to 40% of which are currently caused by crop pests) can help reduce hunger and increase rural incomes. bwi helps smallholder farmers to improve their …

Learn More

Biodiversity

Biodiversity loss is proceeding at an unprecedented pace, jeopardizing the stability of natural ecosystems, increasing vulnerability to climate change, limiting options for climate adaptation and threatening food security.

The world’s poorest countries are home to the greatest array of biodiversity and so bear the brunt of this trend. Invasive species are major drivers of biodiversity loss, alongside habitat loss, climate change and pollution - which includes excessive use of synthetic pesticides.

 

Action in all of these areas, coupled with the sustainable use of natural resources, is vital to prevent further biodiversity loss.

bwi works to support sustainable livelihoods and reduce poverty, and develop more equitable models of natural resource …

Learn More

Research and Health Innovation

Our Purpose

We believe that health is a basic human right. Everything we do ensures lasting health change for all.

 

The Dilemma

In recent years, major and sustained growth in emerging economies, particularly across Africa, have shown promising strides towards better health outcomes fueled by increased prosperity, democratic reforms, the advancement of human rights, and access to cutting-edge technologies. The expansion of trade, education, and travel has bolstered research and innovation capabilities in low and middle-income nations. Consequently, the once-exclusive domain of global health research has transcended geographical boundaries, with solutions now emerging from all corners of the globe.

Nevertheless, entrenched systemic barriers impede the widespread dissemination of health research and innovation. These obstacles …

Learn More

Neglected Tropical Diseases

The World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritised 17 neglected tropical diseases or NTDs, (http://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/diseases/en/), a diverse group of parasitic and bacterial infectious ailments that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries, affecting more than one billion people, costing developing economies billions of dollars every year.

NTDs mainly affect populations living in poverty, posing a devastating obstacle to health and seriously impeding poverty reduction and socioeconomic development. These ailments cause immense human suffering and long-term disability, and are the cause of death for over 500,000 people per year. 

 

At its founding, bwi recognised that control (leading to elimination and eradication), of many arthropod-transmitted NTDs will depend on successful vector control. As such, the Centre, has maintained a strong …

Learn More