The national research competence on climate and agriculture will be strengthened through the education of Master and PhD students. The four-year programme is an important contribution to the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor in Tanzania (SAGCOT) and in line with the Norwegian commitment to reduce climate change in the country.
Improved livelihood for farmers
The aim of this programme is to improve food security and reduce poverty among Tanzanian farmers through the introduction of productivity enhancing innovations in agriculture adapted to climate change. In order to improve the market access for smallholder farmers, the programme targets a wide range of actors in the agricultural value chain.
–The Tanzanian economy is expected to grow fast in the coming years, and the growth potential in Tanzania’s agricultural sector is huge, said the Norwegian Ambassador in her opening speech.
–I would like to encourage all researchers in the programme to communicate your research – engage actively in the public debate and try to influence the politicians with your research, said Klepsvik.
Innovative research
The programme aims to up scale and out scale best practices from the long-term research collaboration between SUA and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB).
–In the pilot villages of Ibumila and Njombe farmers have learnt how to plant and conserve fodder for the dry season. As a result of adoption of the introduced technologies, farmers have been able to double the yield of their cows, said the VC at SUA Professor Gerald Monela in his speech at the opening ceremony.
He also underlined that the programme is innovative as the researchers seek to address the entire commodity chain and to work with new partners such as private sector, local government and non-governmental organisations.
Call for research proposals
“Enhancing pro-poor innovations in natural resources and agricultural value-chains” is a four-year research programme of NOK 72 million with participation from SUA, UMB, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science and other academic institutions.
The first call for research proposals under the programme will soon be launched. For more information on the call for proposals, please visit www.suanet.ac.tz.