Agriculture and Science

Prof Joyce Chitja works as an academic at the University of KwaZulu-Natal for the past 20 years.  She is currently the Director of the African Centre for Food Security (ACFS) and an Associate Professor of Food Security and food security programme. She is a widely published academic in the transdisciplinary field of Food and Nutrition Security, a passionate community engager with a commitment to translating research into action. She is experienced in acquiring and leading large multi-million and multiyear research grants. She is experienced in supervising and mentoring, masters and doctoral students at UKZN.

Nationally and regionally (SADC), she contributes to food security policy and programmes through training and networking. Her expertise and present research programme include food security and water use security, smallholder farmer development and market access. She is an astute networker in building partnership and relationships and collaborations with local and international teams.

She has been a repeat invited scholar to universities locally and abroad in Cornell University (USA); Bonn University (Germany) and Stellenbosch University Institute of Advanced Studies (STIAS). She has also served on company Boards and Councils for over a decade. Her work has been recognized by others including through being awarded awards DST Women in Science-Rural Development Recognition, UKZN as a Wonder Woman in Science and a Water Research Legend Award. Her other interests are entrepreneurial activities in agriculture and has completed seven Two Oceans half marathons successfully.