Global Research Alliance
- ️Mon Mar 03 2025
The Qinisa Initiative at Future Africa hosted a high-profile delegation on 17 January 2025, including the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria, Prof. Francis Petersen, and New Zealand High Commissioner to South Africa, H.E. Philip Richard Hewitt. The Initiative fosters regional collaboration in agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation by enhancing research, innovation, and information-sharing across Southern Africa.
During the visit, delegates toured the Qinisa measurement hub, a flagship project supported by the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA). The hub provides advanced GHG measurement capabilities, complementing external facilities like the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi. High Commissioner Hewitt praised the initiative as a milestone in climate change mitigation and reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment to capacity-building in the region.
Prof. Petersen acknowledged the contributions of key stakeholders, including the GRA, the New Zealand government, and leading researchers, in equipping the University of Pretoria with state-of-the-art GHG measurement tools. He emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and scientifically grounded solutions to ensure sustainable outcomes.
Experts at the event, including Prof. Wanda Markotter, Dr Linde du Toit, and Dr Ackim Mwape, highlighted the role of Qinisa in integrating data, coordinating related programs, and supporting governments in tracking Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets. Prof. Frans Swanepoel stressed the need for prioritizing livestock-related GHG mitigation, given its significant contribution to emissions and its importance to rural livelihoods.
The visit served as a strong endorsement of the Qinisa Initiative’s mission to strengthen partnerships, build regional research capacity, and develop targeted interventions for reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint while improving livelihoods.