Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Times News
Published on 2024-03-10 11:07:43
Higher Education institutions (HEIs) play a crucial role in transforming societies across various sectors through knowledge generation and research, including the agriculture sector. However, at times, agricultural development programs operate in isolation, missing out on the valuable resources that HEIs have to offer. When development programs establish strong partnerships with HEIs, it benefits all parties involved by bridging the gap between research and practice.
HEIs serve as centers of research excellence in agricultural transformation and diversification, producing critical knowledge that shapes food systems and production portfolios. These institutions prioritize the development of young people, providing students and young researchers with the tools and knowledge needed to innovate and improve food and income security. Academic research also plays a vital role in the private sector by contributing to strategic business planning and offering commercially-driven solutions to challenges in agriculture, such as food insecurity.
The Centre for Agriculture Transformation (CAT), funded by the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World through its affiliate the Agricultural Transformation Initiative (ATI), recognizes the importance of partnerships with HEIs. The CAT, a consortium of leading agricultural development and academic institutions, is currently collaborating with students from public higher education institutions in Malawi to develop innovations that can transform the agriculture sector in the country. These partnerships are enabling smallholder farmers to make data-driven decisions to increase productivity and incomes.
One of CAT’s initiatives is to support scholars at Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must) through sponsorship opportunities to study at prestigious institutions like Stellenbosch University in South Africa. These scholars return to Must as faculty members, contributing directly to agricultural transformation. Additionally, CAT has facilitated the development of Must’s Bachelor’s degree program in Food Science and Technology and established a University Technology and Innovation Garage to foster innovation and collaboration among students and researchers.
Through its partnership with Must, CAT has supported the development of agri-technologies such as irrigation systems, online market platforms, solar-powered irrigation solutions, and grain storage technologies to address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Malawi. The collaboration with Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources has also enabled students to conduct research to find quick solutions to challenges faced by smallholder farmers in targeted value chains.
Formal partnerships with HEIs, as demonstrated by CAT, are essential for strengthening the impact of development programs and bridging the gap between research and practice. These partnerships catalyze the development of technologies and innovations to address the daily challenges faced by smallholder farmers, empowering them to increase agricultural yields and incomes. As Malawi aims to increase agricultural productivity and commercialization under MW2063, strong partnerships with HEIs will be crucial in achieving national goals through research, investment, and collaboration.
In conclusion, the collaboration between development implementers and HEIs is vital for driving progress in agricultural transformation and addressing the challenges faced by smallholder farmers. By leveraging the expertise and resources of HEIs, development programs can achieve greater impact and contribute to the sustainable growth of the agriculture sector.
Read the original article on The Times
