Master of Science in Climate Change and Food Security (MSCCFS)

Duration: 2 years

Programme Rationale

Globally, the climate is changing and developing countries are most vulnerable with limited capacity to cope up with the associated challenges. Climate change is associated with crop failure and insufficient food supply to the global demands. Sub Saharan Africa has degraded soils and produces less food and does not meet the nutritional demands of the populations in the region (World Bank, 2013). Research projects suggest that food production must increase by 70–100 percent by 2050 to meet the demands of a world with 9 billion people and changing diets (Godfray et al., 2010).

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016–2025 call on all countries and stakeholders to act together to end hunger and prevent all forms of malnutrition by 2030 (FAO IFAD UNICEF, 2017). East Africa is one of the most affected regions affected by climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity resulting from limited capacity to put in place mitigation measures. Therefore equipping graduates with relevant competences in climate change and food security will foster sustainable development in the region.

Programme Objectives

1. To produce an increasing number of graduates with the practical skills and tools for developing agricultural and agri-food systems, policies and measures for addressing the increasing challenge of global warming on agriculture and food security worldwide.
2. To create a balanced growth and development through facilitating integrated agri-food systems; and climatic change resilient crops.
3. To promote a future Natural Earth by reducing climatic change/variability.
4. Conduct research and training programs in climate change management, food security, biodiversity conservation, nutrition and health of the people for different stakeholders.