AFRACA is a member of the Consortium in the Horizon Europe research project, entitled ‘INtegrated and Circular Technologies for Sustainable city region FOOD systems in Africa’ (INCiTiS-FOOD).

INCiTiS-FOOD aims to improve food and nutrition security (FNS) in African city regions. With the expansion of urban areas, the distance to rural sites for food production for urban dwellers is increasing, leading to increased costs of transportation and carbon footprints. Farming in urban areas will ensure that food is close to the consumers, thereby reducing carbon footprints. The INCiTiS-FOOD project will co-create circular agri-food technologies, practices, and business models centering upon soilless crop farming, recirculating aquaculture systems, and insect farming. These circular agri-food technologies have been considered suitable for the context of African cities because they do not require great access to land and water.

A core part of INCiTiS-FOOD project is the establishment of 8 living labs located in 6 countries across 3 African regions: East: Kenya; West: Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone; Central: Cameroon, Gabon. Living labs will be turned into incubators and accelerators of innovation that will be used beyond the project’s duration.

During the period, the University of Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana launched its Living Lab at Nyankpala campus. The LL will collaborate with farmers, students, cooperatives, policy experts, and civil society organizations in the area to boost fish and vegetable productivity.

Photos:  INCiTis Food – Sections of the Living Lab at University of Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana