Govermate logoGovermate
Back to opportunities
DocumentClosednews

Young African Agricultural Researchers Come Together To Discuss The Continents Future 884

University of the Western CapeRef: https://www.uwc.ac.za/news-and-announcements/news/young-african-agricultural-researchers-come-together-to-discuss-the-continents-future-884

Official source

Source domain: uwc.ac.za

Collected on 2 August 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

Our copy (archived 2 August 2026)Official source

What this means

This document is a news item from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) announcing that an international conference—the Inaugural Conference of the Young African Researchers in Agriculture (YARA) network—was held to discuss the future of African agriculture. It describes the conference’s purpose, participants (young and early-career African Masters and PhD researchers in agriculture), and key themes: property rights/land governance, climate change and environment, food security, and agro-food systems and rural livelihoods. It also includes highlights of research presented by specific speakers and notes that the conference helped identify gaps for further research and collaboration plans.

Facts

Places

Eastern Cape, Western Cape

Reference

https://www.uwc.ac.za/news-and-announcements/news/young-african-agricultural-researchers-come-together-to-discuss-the-continents-future-884

Key Takeaways

  • UWC hosted the Inaugural Conference of the Young African Researchers in Agriculture (YARA) network
  • Conference aimed to discuss the future of African agriculture and transformation of rural economies in Africa
  • Participants: young and early-career African Masters and PhD-level agricultural researchers from across Africa
  • Four main themes: property rights/land governance; climate change and environment; food security; agro-food systems and rural livelihoods
  • Professor Ben Cousins (UWC/PLAAS) quoted on importance of young researchers’ work
  • Research highlights include land reform in Zimbabwe (Phillan Zamchiya), bovine liver condemnation in Eastern Cape abattoirs (Ishmael Festus Jaja), and land/livelihood politics of the ‡Khomani (Gillo Momo Lekane)
  • Conference outcomes mentioned: reflection and short/medium/long-term action plans and identification of research gaps and collaboration opportunities
  • University of the Western Cape (UWC)
  • Young African Researchers in Agriculture (YARA) network
  • Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS)
  • Professor Ben Cousins
  • Phillan Zamchiya
  • Ishmael Festus Jaja
  • University of Fort Hare
  • Gillo Momo Lekane
  • Worker’s College SA
  • ‡Khomani
  • Kalahari Gemsbok National Park
  • Zimbabwe
  • Eastern Cape
  • Masvingo (Zimbabwe)