The Centre for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS) congratulates Dr. Elias Mwakilama on being awarded the 2024 Commonwealth Climate Resilience Network (CCRN) Grant.The Commonwealth Climate Resilient Challenge Grants, administered by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, support initiatives aimed at enhancing climate resilience in Commonwealth universities and communities. 

These grants empower academic and professional staff to lead impactful projects that bolster institutional climate resilience and drive adaptation efforts.

Dr. Mwakilama, a researcher at CRAFS, will use his grant to focus on data mapping and interoperability to address key challenges in smallholder farmer food production and resilience in Southern Africa. His research aims to develop a comprehensive database to support:

• Understanding yield gaps and the factors influencing productivity.

• Assessing food production policies and improving access to sustainable agricultural solutions.

• Enhancing climate resilience strategies through data-driven decision-making.

"Through this project, I will collaborate with regional researchers to provide smallholder farmers with reliable, data-driven insights on climate-smart agricultural practices. This initiative will play a vital role in strengthening food security and promoting sustainable development across the region," said Dr. Mwakilama.