What we do

UKUDLA is a collaborative centre that advances interdisciplinary research and capacity building in food systems, with a strong foundation in applied data science. Based in South Africa and supported by German and African partners, the centre promotes evidence-based approaches to understanding and improving food systems across their full breadth — from agricultural production, processing, and distribution, to nutrition, consumption, food safety, and food security.

Our work addresses the economic, ecological, and socio-cultural dimensions of food systems, with particular attention to resilience under environmental and economic stress, gender equality, and inclusive development. Through a combination of cutting-edge research, graduate education, and stakeholder engagement, UKUDLA fosters the next generation of scientists and professionals who will shape sustainable and just food futures in Southern Africa.

Data-driven methods — including statistical modelling, geospatial analysis, and machine learning — are at the core of our activities, supporting innovative research and facilitating the transfer of knowledge into policy, practice, and society.

What we stand for

The isiZulu, siSwati, and Ndebele word for ‘food’.
The acronym reflects the Nguni translation of the Centre‘s title:

• *U*kuzenzela (Sustainable)
• *K*uhlangula (Resilient)
• *U*kutya (Food)
• *D*atha (Data)
• *L*wezolimo (Agricultural)
• *A*frika (Africa)

It reflects the diversity of Southern Africa, embodying the essence of the nourishment of people (umtu) and the earth (umhlaba).

Structure and main objectives

The centre is founded upon three pillars: capacity building, research and Situated at the intersection of agri-food systems and data science, the approaches for applied research. The primary objectives of this approach functioning of food systems; secondly, to improve practice, transfer and offer high-level training and capacity building for sustainable food systems In addition to capacity-building measures, the project also supports African students, postdocs and early-career scientists. Furthermore, two research will be established at the University of the Western Cape and at the subject area. Moreover, a special focus is to be placed on the transfer of business, politics and civil society.

Funding partners

The Center for Food Systems and Data Science is part of the DAAD program “Fachzentren Afrika-Centres of African Excellence”. It is a joint synergy project between German and African institutions. On the German side, the Center is funded by the DAAD with funds from the Federal Foreign Office (AA), the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). On the South African side, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) are involved.

The center is divided into separate yet interconnected funding lines:

• Funding line A (capacity building and transfer; funded by the AA)
• Funding line B (Implementation of Research Chair and funding for German doctoral students and postdocs, funded by the BMFTR)
• Funding line C (doctoral and postdoctoral funding for African doctoral students and postdocs, funded by the BMLEH)
• Funding line NRF (National Research Foundation – funding of a further Research Chair) via funds from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)