Food Security

Meat cooking on an open grill with people in the background

Ensuring everyone has access to sufficient food that meets their nutritional needs is critical to sustainable and equitable development. 795 million people face hunger daily and more than 2 billion suffer from some form of nutrient deficiency, mainly in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs).

In tackling food security, it's necessary to consider all aspects of this challenge, from food production capacity and supply chains to dietary norms and cultural practices. Climate change is impacting growing seasons, new innovations are improving crop yields, and new technologies enable information sharing like never before.

Our teams are working across different aspects of this complex landscape, exploring how wildlife diseases may affect livestock, how we can improve treatments for livestock parasites, developing new insights into malnutrition and creating new technologies for food preparation. 

Where this research is happening at UofG

School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine

School of Education

School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing

School of Health & Wellbeing

School of Social & Political Sciences

James Watt School of Engineering

Wildebeest grazing on a plain
Wildebeest grazing on a plain

Disentangling transport and trophic effects of animal movement on infectious disease

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 17:05:00 GMT

This project examines the impacts of migratory wildebeest on the parasite abundance in the environment and in four wildlife species in the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem: topi, hartebeest, African Cape buffalo, and Grant's gazelle. The project also explores the broader impacts of wildebeest on parasites in livestock populations.

Cattle being herded behind a road sign cautioning the presence of cattle
Cattle being herded behind a road sign cautioning the presence of cattle

Drug Resistance in Livestock Trypanosomes

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 16:43:00 GMT

The team is creating and testing different combinations of chemical compounds to see which are the most effective against trypanosome infection.

Rows of grey and white paper diagnostic strips
Rows of grey and white paper diagnostic strips

Paper-based platform for pathogen detection in shrimp farms

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 13:51:00 GMT

By developing and deploying a low-cost, point-of-use pathogen detection device, this project will empower small-scale shrimp farmers with the ability to identify pathogens early and respond effectively.

Cattle grazing in an open savannah of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Cattle grazing in an open savannah of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Cattle vaccination against malignant catarrhal fever

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 16:10:00 GMT

This project explores the balance of pastoral livelihoods, food security and ecosystem integrity in the Serengeti, Tanzania

Black and white cows grazing outside a building in northern Tanzania
Black and white cows grazing outside a building in northern Tanzania

Operationalising One Health Interventions in Tanzania (OOHTZ)

Mon, 17 May 2021 14:40:00 BST

This project will build on platforms and strengthen capacities that span healthcare systems to develop interventions for the prevention and control of multiple zoonoses in Tanzania.

Cattle and zebra grazing together
Cattle and zebra grazing together

Novel molecular approaches for understanding the epidemiology of endemic anthrax

Mon, 17 May 2021 15:45:00 BST

This research will allow for more targeted management and control of anthrax, leading to enhanced animal and human health, and improved food security and poverty alleviation through reduced production losses.

Camp resident performing water quality testing in Dzaleka refugee camp
Camp resident performing water quality testing in Dzaleka refugee camp

Exploring sustainable livelihoods and farming practices in Malawi refugee camps

Mon, 24 May 2021 17:13:00 BST

This team analysed the farming practices and the modes of organising everyday life within Dzaleka and work with residents of the camp to support sustainable everyday livelihoods.