Global Food Systems Institute UF IFAS

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Global Food Systems Institute UF IFAS

Mission: To enhance the nutrition, health, and livelihoods of global citizens and the environment

The Mission of the Food Systems Institute is to:

Conduct transdisciplinary research on critical food systems issues that is transformative and pushes beyond the frontiers of current knowledge. Develop transdisciplinary curricula and training for stakeholders across food systems. Multi-directional translation between scientists and stakeholders to promote the adoption of improved practices and technologies.

09/04/2026

GFSI joined University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to visit agricultural and research facilities in Egypt. They explored opportunities to strengthen partnerships in agriculture, technology, research, and innovation.

We’re proud to see UF/IFAS building connections that help advance solutions to global food systems challenges. 🌱

08/31/2026

August 31, 2026, marks the end of the Precision Livestock Farming Technologies Evaluation in Africa Project

During this 3-year project, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences faculty and researchers from The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) tested the suitability of two technologies for the Tanzanian context.

On August 27 & 28, the project team hosted a close-out and results-sharing event in Arusha, Tanzania.

Professor Susana Agostino, Acting Vice Chancellor at NM-AIST, opened the event, and Dr. Benezeth Lutege Malinda, Director of Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, was the guest of honor, representing Miss Agnes Kisaka Meena, Permanent Secretary for the livestock sector at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Tanzania. The UF team involved in this project included: principal investigator, Dr. Geoffrey Dahl, professor in the Animal Sciences Department, Dr. Saskia Hendrickx, scientist in the Animal Sciences Department, Dr. Diwakar Vyas, associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, and Dr. Gregory A. Kiker, professor and chair of the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering.

Other participants included farmers, NGO representatives, researchers, and input providers.

Learn more about the project on our website! https://foodsystems.ifas.ufl.edu/our-work/project-websites/precision-livestock-farming-tanzania/

08/26/2026

🔬New Publication!

The paper, Control of Regulated and Emerging Silage Mycotoxins, has just been published in the Journal of Dairy Science! GFSI's Research Assistants Temitope Adeoti and Dr.Atia Bonna and Director and Associate Vice President Adegbola Adesogan collaborated with the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (CattolicaNews)
to examine the occurrence, sources, detection, and mitigation strategies for both regulated and emerging mycotoxins in silage-based dairy systems.

Mycotoxins are natural, toxic chemical compounds produced by certain molds and fungi that can contaminate agricultural commodities, such as crops and forages used in livestock feed. This review examines mycotoxins in silage-based dairy systems and mitigation strategies during ensiling and storage.

This work addresses GFSI’s commitment to enhancing the nutrition, health, and livelihoods of global citizens and the environment.

Read the paper here! https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030226032054?via%3Dihub

08/19/2026

🌍 Strengthening global partnerships through agricultural innovation.
Dr. Gopal Kakani, Associate Director for GFSI Research, recently visited India to advance collaborations supporting agricultural research and innovation.
During his visit, Dr. Kakani toured the new state-of-the-art phenomics facility at the Global Center of Excellence for Millets in Hyderabad ahead of its inauguration and received a commemorative Andhra University Centennial Stamp from the University’s Vice Chancellor, recognizing the continued UF/IFAS–Andhra University partnership.

On July 8, Dr. Kakani traveled to Coimbatore to deliver a keynote address, give a presentation, and participate in a panel at the International Conference on Future-Ready Farming: Climate-Smart and Resilient Agricultural Solutions. He also met with Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University (SKLTGHU) leaders and World Bank representatives to discuss opportunities to advance horticulture in Telangana.

By promoting research and exchanging knowledge, GFSI develops meaningful international partnerships that help shape and advance science-based solutions that lead to global impacts.🌱

08/14/2026

GFSI is proud to partner with global experts to address challenges affecting food systems and foster collaboration in agriculture, food systems, and innovation! 🌱🤝

In recent weeks, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. J. Scott Angle, and GFSI’s Director and Associate Vice President, Dr. Adegbola Adesogan, welcomed delegations from Kyungpook National University, the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NAS), and 국립공주대학교 Kongju National University on August 4th, 6th, and 10th, respectively.

These visits served to build connections that can advance research, technology, and student opportunities across borders.

During their visits, Dr. Kyeongho Lim, President of Kongju National University, Dr. Han, Vice President of Kyungpook National University, and Dr. Je Hoon Sung, Director General of South Korea’s National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NAS), met with Dr. J. Scott Angle and Dr. Adegbola Adesogan to sign Memorandums of Understanding to establish a framework for sustained collaboration in research, academic exchange, workforce development, and interdisciplinary education.

The visits also included research discussions and tours of UF’s Precision Agriculture Lab led by Dr. Wonsuk "Daniel" Lee, ABE Professor in Precision Agriculture and Machine Vision, the ABE Robotics Lab, and HiPerGator facilities, showcasing the University of Florida’s research capabilities and resources.

These activities ultimately further GFSI’s commitment to developing lasting, evidence-based solutions that promote a more food-secure future and a sustainable world.

08/13/2026

Our August newsletter from GFSI is now live! 🎉 Dive in to discover all the amazing updates and initiatives we’ve been working on. Check it out by clicking the link in our bio!

08/10/2026

Passionate about global food systems, agriculture, sustainability, nutrition, or international development? Interested in getting involved with research and collaboration at the University of Florida?

Join the interest meeting for the GFSI Student Association Club! 🌱

Together, we’ll help shape the club’s goals, activities, and opportunities. We want to hear from you—what interests you, what experiences you hope to gain, and how this club can support your journey in global food systems.

Come share your ideas and be part of building a community of students passionate about creating a more sustainable food future!

08/05/2026

During a recent visit to the University of Ibadan, GFSI Director and UF Associate Vice President for Global Engagement, Dr. Adegbola Adesogan, joined University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences faculty and staff to explore collaborative opportunities in dairy science, forage research, sustainable farming, and agricultural innovation.

The partnership aims to expand research, capacity building, technology transfer, and workforce development—supporting solutions that benefit farmers and food systems in Nigeria and beyond.

Together, we're building stronger global connections to address tomorrow's food challenges. 🌱

📸 Photos courtesy of the Directorate of Public Communication at the University of Ibadan.

07/31/2026

Our directors have been busy this summer! 🔆

Dr. Adegbola Adesogan, Associate Vice President and Director of GFSI, recently joined Dr. J. Scott Angle, Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, on a visit to South Korea to strengthen partnerships with university, government, and research leaders.

The visit has already resulted in exciting opportunities, including plans for UF/IFAS to coordinate student exchanges with several South Korean universities beginning next spring. In addition, Kyungpook National University (KNU) is developing a framework for a KNU Global Initiative Center for R&D (GIC-R) at the University of Florida, creating new opportunities for collaborative research and innovation.

By building international partnerships, GFSI continues to expand opportunities for research, education, and global engagement that will shape the future of food systems.

🌎 Stay tuned as we highlight what our other GFSI directors have been accomplishing around the world this summer!

Address

P. O. Box 110910
Gainesville, FL
32611

Website

https://linkin.bio/gfsi_ifas

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