James’ childhood experience and the staggering statistics on Malawi’s fisheries and population stirred his love for exploring the fish value chain. He reveals that while researching fish handling techniques, he discovered that many fishing communities had been using rudimentary preservation methods resulting in quality loss due to cross-contamination.

Ikabongo Mukumbuta’s research focuses on soil health management and ecosystem restoration. He is particularly interested in measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural soils and analyzing how climate change and on-farm practices influence these emissions.

“I chose to study soil science because it is the foundation for agricultural production,” says Ikabongo, a 2021 One Planet Laureate Candidate. “To grow crops effectively, you have to manage your soil. Food production challenges emanate from problems in the soil.”

Thanks to innovation, scientific research, and concerted action, the vision for healthier and more productive soils is now more precise. Angela Bwalya, a Senior Agricultural Researcher and a 2019 One Planet Laureate Candidate, works with Zambian farmers to improve soil nutrients and water retention for enhanced yields.

Austin has appreciated the considerable burden women and marginalized groups shoulder in agricultural production, yet their needs and challenges are not addressed. They toil year in and year out, yet their effort goes unrecognized. He appreciates that this is a heavy burden, and they need not carry it independently.