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Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification

Category: October 2016

SIIL Joins African Union Technical Networks

Posted on by Zach Stewart
L to R: Drs. Zach Stewart, Jemimah Njuki and Jan Middendorf attended the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa Forum where African heads of state and scientific leaders gathered to discuss the importance of the Malabo Declaration and CAADP to African agricultural transformation.

Nairobi, Kenya -The Feed the Future Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab (SIIL), through the invitation from the African Union Commission (AUC), has joined the Research and Extension Technical Network and the Knowledge Management, Policy Analysis and Accountability for Results Technical Network which will steer the African Union-led Comprehensive African Agriculture and Development Programme (CAADP). CAADP was reaffirmed in 2014 by African Union Heads of State and Government through the Malabo Declaration which laid out an ambitious set of goals to achieve accelerated agricultural growth and transformation for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods in Africa. In order to guide these goals, seven thematic technical networks consisting of leading organizations working across Africa have been organized.

The Research and Extension Technical Network was established to provide training and technical advice in agricultural research and extension to government entities on policies, priority interventions and good practices that can accelerate achievement of national, regional and continent agriculture production, productivity and food security goals related to Malabo and CAADP.

The Knowledge Management, Policy Analysis and Accountability for Results Technical Network is designed to channel best practices in relevant agricultural development areas as it relates to measuring, monitoring and evaluating progress. This network will share strategic planning processes, agriculture statistics and data management resources, and support knowledge generation and dissemination. The intent of this technical network is to build countrywide capacity to strengthen policy analysis and develop mutual accountability and knowledge management systems.

Dr. Vara Prasad, Director of SIIL, Dr. Jan Middendorf, Associate Director, and Dr. Zach Stewart, Research Associate, will serve as the key advisers between SIIL and these CAADP technical networks. Continue reading “SIIL Joins African Union Technical Networks” →

10 Ways to Use Your Degree to Address Food Insecurity

Posted on by Michael Lee

So, you got your degree. Congratulations!! Welcome to the real world. You are probably asking yourself, “What now?” Turns out that earning your degree was just the first step, now all you have to do is decide what you want to do for the rest of your life. No pressure.

The world, as a whole, is under pressure for constant change. This change is evident in technology, resource availability, political policy, social and cultural dynamics and much more. As the saying goes, “If you are not changing, you are not growing.” With change, however, comes the inevitable uncertainty of how to manage it. In terms of food security, the rising global population, change in climate and resource availability, and the fragility of political and social constructs has left many pondering the question, “How will we manage change?”

Though the answer to this question is uncertain, this change will also produce new innovations and unexpected breakthroughs in several areas of influence on the production, marketing and consumption of food. This sheds new light on the burden of feeding the world’s ever-increasing population, an expected 9.56 billion by 2050 (United Nations, 2015). With the help of great minds and dynamic multidisciplinary teams, success is possible. So, “What now?” How about utilizing your expertise to solve a real world problem? Here are our top 10 ways to use your degree to address global food insecurity. Continue reading “10 Ways to Use Your Degree to Address Food Insecurity” →

The Appropriate Scale Mechanization Consortium Kicks Off Field Hub Training with Workshop in Burkina Faso

Posted on by trendall
burkina-1
Dr. Millogo, Director of Appropriate Scale Mechanization Innovation Hub Burkina Faso and workshop participants with their new and improved yokes. Pictured Left to Right: Fankani Tchitchi, Millogo Vinsoun, Bognini Solange, Bonkian Thérese, Bognini Mark, Sanou Mariatou, Sanou Mazouma

Members of the Appropriate Scale Mechanization Consortium (ASMC) led the first hands-on training at their field training hub in Burkina Faso from September 5-16, 2016. It brought together smallholder farmers, local artisans and university students. The workshop was conducted by team members from Michigan State University in cooperation with Tillers International and was funded by the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification.

In Burkina Faso, traditional yokes are still being used to team pairs of oxen. “These yokes are narrow, concentrating the pulling forces on a small area on the neck of the oxen, making long work days difficult and painful,” Elsa Kanner, Tillers International employee, said. Another problem facing farmers in this area is training. The animals are most receptive to training at a young age, but farmers are waiting until they are mature to begin the process. These factors combined make for uncooperative oxen, which require 2-3 workers to handle. The practice is, therefore, more labor intensive and expensive than it could be with improved training techniques and modern yokes. Continue reading “The Appropriate Scale Mechanization Consortium Kicks Off Field Hub Training with Workshop in Burkina Faso” →