Food System Program
Our food system program is a cross-cutting initiative focused on transforming Africa’s food systems to be more compassionate, sustainable and resilient. By examining how animals are raised for food, how food choices impact animal welfare and how agricultural practices affect people and the environment, this program aims to promote food systems that prioritize both human and non-human well-being.
Africa stands at a critical juncture where rapid urbanization, population growth and
changing consumption patterns are reshaping food production and demand.
In
many regions, this has led to the rise of industrial livestock systems, intensive
animal farming and a growing disconnect between consumers and the origins of
their food. These trends pose serious challenges to animal welfare, public health
and biodiversity and climate stability.
Through research, education, advocacy and collaboration, our Food System
Program seeks to create a roadmap toward more ethical and sustainable food
practices across the continent.
Promoting Humane and Ethical Farming
We work to improve the treatment of farmed animals by promoting higher-
welfare farming practices that reduce suffering, support natural behaviors and
phase out cruel systems such as battery cages, gestation crates and live animal
markets.
This includes advocating for animal welfare standards in agriculture
policy, engaging with farmers to pilot plant-based and animal-friendly
alternatives and offering guidance on low-input, welfare-conscious farming
models.
Research and Policy Advocacy
Our program conducts evidence-based research on the welfare impacts of industrial farming, the links between factory farming and zoonotic diseases and the role of food production in land degradation, water use and greenhouse gas emissions.
We translate this research into practical policy recommendations and work with government bodies, agricultural institutions and regional platforms to promote policies that support animal-friendly and climate-smart food systems.
We also monitor food policy trends and participate in consultations to ensure animal welfare is meaningfully represented in broader dialogues on food security, nutrition and sustainability.
Public Awareness and Consumer Education
We develop and distribute humane education materials and run public awareness
campaigns that help individuals and communities make informed food choices.
These efforts include
- Highlighting the benefits of reducing animal product consumption
- Promoting plant-based diets and indigenous plant foods
- Educating consumers on the welfare and environmental impacts of their
dietary habits.
Collaborating for Change
We engage with a wide network of stakeholders including agricultural universities, nutritionists, chefs, plant-based entrepreneurs and environmental NGOs to support innovation and knowledge exchange. By building bridges between sectors, we help develop integrated solutions that meet Africa’s development needs without compromising the welfare of animals or the health of the planet.
By placing animal welfare at the heart of food system transformation, the African Institute for Animal Welfare works to build a future where food is produced with empathy, consumed with awareness and governed with fairness. Our Food System Program envisions a continent where animals are not commodities but fellow beings deserving of dignity in every aspect of life.
Our goal is to foster a cultural shift where compassion for animals becomes an
integral part of healthy culturally appropriate food systems.
Food Justice and Equity
We recognize that food systems are not only about production but also about
access, equity and power. Our work prioritizes the inclusion of smallholder
farmers, women, youth and marginalized communities in conversations about
food system change. We support community-led solutions that protect animals
while improving livelihoods, nutrition and the environment.