In the heart of Africa’s bustling communities and expansive rural landscapes, a quiet revolution is taking place—one garden at a time.
Women across the continent are transforming small plots of land adjacent to their homes into flourishing kitchen gardens, cultivating indigenous vegetables that nourish their families and strengthen local food systems.
In the Kibera slums, the Mazingira Women's Group champions backyard sack gardening, preserving traditional Nubian foods while combating food insecurity.
Their goal is to tackle the challenge of providing affordable, nutritious food in a continent that has been hit by climate change.
These grassroots initiatives are part of a larger movement that advocates for a return to indigenous crops and sustainable farming practices.
Former Mauritius President, Dr Ameenah Firdaus Gurib-Fakim, in an interview with The Star, noted the critical importance of embracing native foods and reducing reliance on food imports.
She underscored the pivotal role of women in agriculture, noting that they often bear the responsibility of small-scale farming to feed their families.
Addressing gender equality, Dr Ameenah highlighted that empowering women is essential to strengthening Africa’s agricultural resilience and ensuring food sovereignty.
In her interview, Dr Ameenah delves deeper into the intersections of climate change, indigenous agriculture, women’s empowerment and sustainable energy solutions.
Here is what Dr Ameenah said:
Q: The CGIAR Science Week focused on innovations for food inclusion and climate security. What do you see as the most urgent challenge in addressing these issues?
(The CGIAR Science Week engaged the community of global leaders in research, policy and development working for a food, nutrition, and climate secure future in active dialogue during plenary sessions focused on harnessing and scaling science and innovation).
A: First, when we talk about climate change, especially from the African perspective, we must acknowledge that Africa has contributed very little—less than four percent—to global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, ironically, it is one of the hardest-hit regions. We’ve experienced severe floods, prolonged droughts, and in my country, massive cyclones that can set our economy back by 10 to 15 years.
To quote Aliko Dangote from the UN General Assembly last year, “No one will come to save us.” We must mobilize our own resources.
Q: Your leadership has spanned science, climate and policy. What inspired you to champion these causes, and how do they align with CGIAR’s mission?
A: My inspiration stems from my scientific training. When you view the world through a scientific lens, you see possibilities where others see problems. That’s why I advocate for more women scientists in politics. We need them at the decision-making table.
And if there’s no chair for you at the table, bring your own. Build it if you must. Because if you’re not at the table, you’ll be on the menu.
Q: You have also championed gender equality across the continent. How does gender intersect with food security and climate resilience?
A: We must view everything; agriculture, climate action, food systems through a gender lens. This is not just a slogan; it’s a fact. Women feed Africa. The question is, how do we empower the women who do so much?
They need tools, financing and the means to transform what they already do. The image of a woman with a baby on her back digging soil under the sun is outdated. Agriculture is a business, a trillion-dollar business if we truly leverage it.
Most smallholder farmers in Africa are women, and they produce 80 percent of the continent’s food. If we invest in them, we strengthen our food systems. And let’s not forget the power of neglected and underutilised crops, often indigenous, that can tackle hidden hunger and build resilience.
Q: Are you referring to indigenous foods and crops here?
A: Yes, absolutely. When I was a student, I worked on a project at ICRAF where we explored indigenous vegetables. They are abundant, nutritious and affordable, yet often overlooked. Why should we depend on imported vegetables when our traditional crops can offer the same, if not better nutritional value?
We need better communication, better policy and better access. These crops can play a huge role in combating both food insecurity and economic pressure, especially for lower-income households.
Q: CGIAR is focused on tackling rural poverty and fragility in regions across the world. In your opinion, how can local communities in Africa become more integrated into these global science and innovation efforts to drive long-term change?
A: When we talk about innovative practices, we tend to think of high technology. It's not.
If you simply scatter seeds on the ground, there's a high chance they’ll be eaten by birds. However, one farmer took a different approach—he wrapped each seed in cow dung before spreading them.
This natural coating protected the seeds from animals, which avoided eating them. Then, at the first drop of rain, the cow dung dissolved, releasing the seeds into the soil and providing vital nutrients for the crops to grow successfully.
This example highlights the importance of considering traditional agricultural methods in Africa. There's no one-size-fits-all solution.
In some West African countries, for instance, farmers dig small holes in the ground, place the seeds inside, and patiently wait for the rains. These time-tested methods are often highly effective and adapted to local conditions.
These traditional methods work. Combined with modern science, they can be powerful solutions especially in combating desertification through initiatives like the Great Green Wall from Senegal.
Q: That’s a powerful perspective. What role do local communities play in scaling such innovations across the continent?
A: Farmers are the bedrock of food security, not just in Africa, but globally. We must engage them, support them and equip them with the tools to succeed especially under changing climate conditions.
Despite being the Blue Continent, Africa still struggles with water access. We need to develop water resources strategically and inclusively. No one will save us—we have to rely on our own capabilities.
Q: On the topic of water access, what are your thoughts on dam projects like those in Ethiopia, which have taken years to complete?
A: We must learn from successful African models. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. We need to identify what works in our context and scale it across the continent.
People often refer to Eritrea as isolated, but I recently visited, and what I saw was a model worth studying. Eritrea has constructed many dams, each supporting around 2,000 farmers. They are food secure and have transformed their agriculture. I even visited a facility producing yogurt from local milk adding value to local produce.
Q: How does gender equality come into play in the Eritrean model, and more broadly in climate action?
A: As I said, women are the backbone of our families and our societies. Every great leader was raised by a woman. Empowering women through education, policy and opportunity is critical.
Women must be brought to the center of development. Their inclusion will bring about meaningful, long-lasting change.
Q: You’ve long been an advocate for climate and energy issues in Africa. How do you see science and policy intersecting to mitigate climate change impacts on agriculture and food security?
A: It is important to first note that we cannot separate science from the solution. Science is not just a body of knowledge; it’s a mindset. As Prime Minister Mayaki said recently, it’s how we shape our strategies. Science is embedded in food security, energy and water.
We must harness science and innovation to improve lives, especially the lives of young people. We need to invest in local talent, empower scientific communities and ensure that policy and science work hand in hand to secure our future.
Q: Can you share a personal experience where you saw science directly improve lives in Africa?
A: One area I’ve worked in is medicinal plants. In Africa, more than 70 percent of the population relies on herbal medicine for primary health care.
This isn’t just anecdotal; according to the World Health Organization, over 70 percent of the African population depends on traditional herbal knowledge for their health needs.
Now imagine applying a scientific framework to this vast reservoir of indigenous knowledge. For example, take a traditional remedy involving two or three plants. We know that a plant’s chemical composition can vary depending on the time of day, season, or region. If we use science to analyse and standardise these remedies, we can create safe, effective and socially acceptable treatments.
This approach holds the potential to deliver widespread health benefits while also validating and preserving local traditions. It's especially important when you consider that a leading antimalarial drug in Africa—artemisinin—comes from Artemisia annua, a plant grown in China. Yet, we have an African equivalent with similar properties that remains largely unexplored.
Q: What are some of the biggest obstacles to preserving and leveraging Africa’s traditional knowledge, and how can we ensure it's protected for future generations?
A: One of the key challenges is documentation. Unlike countries like India and China, where traditional knowledge has been systematically recorded, much of Africa’s herbal heritage remains undocumented. I’ve personally contributed to documenting traditional knowledge in my region, but this needs to happen on a continental scale.
This is also deeply tied to intellectual property (IP) rights. By documenting and protecting our traditional knowledge, we can assert ownership and benefit from its use. Admittedly, the IP landscape is evolving, especially in the era of AI, but that only makes it more urgent to safeguard what we have.
Ultimately, traditional knowledge is passed down through generations—our elders and ancestors have been its custodians. But this knowledge is fading fast. If we don't act now to preserve and elevate it, we risk losing an invaluable part of our identity and a powerful tool for improving livelihoods across Africa.
Q: Let’s talk about energy in Africa and its role in turning around the effects of climate change?
When we speak about energy transition, we are also speaking about critical minerals, many of which are abundant in Africa. The continent is rich in the very minerals the world needs for a green transition. But there’s a paradox—Africa is rich in fossil fuels too. Why can’t we be granted a “carbon window” to develop using our existing resources?
My concern is that when trade becomes strictly linked to clean energy, many African nations will be left behind. How do we leapfrog to that level without the necessary infrastructure? That’s why Africa must collectively assert its stance. We must grow our economies while balancing climate goals with economic realities.
Q: What advice would you give to young African leaders who want to make a difference in science, policy, and development, especially around climate change and sustainable agriculture?
A: Just do it. Believe in yourself. Many will try to hold you back, but don’t give up. Ever. Keep learning, keep doing, and don’t underestimate the power of small actions. Those little things can grow into transformative change.
