Agriculture & Environment
Mak Flags off 244 Ugandan University Students for Agrostudies Internship in Israel
244 students from five universities – Makerere, Kyambogo, Gulu, Busitema and Bishop Stuart University have been flagged off to Israel for a one year paid internship. 10 out of the 244 flagged off are female.
The students were flagged of by the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration (DVCFA) Assoc. Prof. Josephine Nabukenya on 13th October, 2021 at a colorful ceremony held in the Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF2) Auditorium, Makerere University.
The function was also attended by a team from the Agrostudies center in Israel led by the CEO Mr. Yaron Tamir, representatives from the participating Universities in Uganda, Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Alumni and Coordinators of the Agrostudies Apprenticeship Programme from the five universities.
Prior to the flag off, the Mr. Yaron Tamir and his deputy paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor where they discussed matters of interest to the university and the Government of Uganda especially a plan to start an Agrostudies Alumni Cooperative in Uganda and the possibility of the program Alumni to support Government in providing extension services.
The Agrostudies cohort 2021/2022 was organized under the theme, “Securing the Future of Uganda through Agriculture Capacity Building”. At Makerere University, the programme was coordinated by Dr. Mildred Ochwo-Ssemakula and Dr. Narisi Mubangaizi from the School of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
The students’ participation in the Agrostudies agriculture capacity building program is a response to the need to transform from subsistence to more commercial agriculture in a bid to secure the future of Uganda.
Presiding over the function as Chief Guest, Assoc. Prof. Josephine Nabukenya welcomed all to Makerere describing the University as a warm and peaceful community.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor reported that Uganda is grappling with several development challenges including low agricultural production and productivity, negative attitude of youth towards agriculture and high rates of unemployment among the youth.
She noted that the Agrostudies apprenticeship programme which aims at exposing Ugandan University Students to modern agricultural technologies in agriculture has a huge potential to deal with these development challenges.
Dr. Nabukenya said most of the students that have participated in the agrostudies apprenticeship programme have set up agricultural enterprises in which they have applied knowledge, skills and financial resources acquired from the programme.
On behalf of Makerere University and all participating universities in Uganda, Prof. Nabukenya appreciated the foresightedness of the Israeli and Ugandan Governments for coming up with this wonderful programme
“By setting up agricultural enterprises, these students have become job creators rather than job seekers. These agricultural enterprises set up by alumni of the Agrostudies apprenticeship programme are also helping in transferring technologies from Israel to other farmers in Uganda,“ she stated.
Dr. Nabukenya expressed gratitude to the governments of Uganda and Israel for entrusting Makerere University with the noble responsibility of being the national coordinator for the Agrostudies program in Uganda and pledged total commitment towards the programme’s success and continuity.
She said, the university has embarked on the process of institutionalizing the programme where the Office of the Vice Chancellor has mandated the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) to coordinate the programme on behalf of Makerere University from 2021 onwards.
The DVCFA also thanked CAES for accepting this responsibility and for the progress so far made. As proof of the university commitment to the programme, Prof. Nabukenya said, Makerere University has provided free accommodation to all the students selected under the programme residing within the students’ halls of residence.
She appreciated the efforts made by several units of Makerere University including the Vice Chancellors’ Office, Office of the University Secretary, Finance and Accounts, University Hospital, Dean of Students and staff in the students’ halls of residence to support the programme.
Dr. Nabukenya congratulated the students upon their successful selection for the program, a competitive process involving rigorous medical examinations as well physical fitness training to ensure that they are mentally, physically and emotionally ready for the work ahead of them.
“Please do not waste this golden opportunity. I encourage you to learn as much as you can and observe very good discipline during your stay in Israel. Above all, I humbly appeal to you to fully observe all the rules and guidelines of the programme and to return to Uganda at the end of the programme”, Dr. Nabukenya implored.
The DVCFA thanked the Agrostudies team from Israel for adjusting the earlier position regarding the non-participation of female students in the programme by enrolling 10 female students.
She however appealed to the Agrostudies Israel team to consider increasing the number of female students onto the programme in the subsequent years, saying, Makerere University is a gender sensitive institution and tries as much as possible to promote gender equity and equality by giving equal opportunities to both males and females.
Orienting the students, the Chief Executive Officer Agrostudies program Mr. Yaron Tamir thanked Makerere University for hosting and selecting the candidates for the year 2021/2021.
Mr. Yaron said Agro studies was established 17 years ago to conduct agricultural capacity building by bringing students from different countries doing traditional agriculture to Israel to learn and practice modern agriculture. He clarified that Agrostudies is neither a university nor a replacement of a university but one has to be a university student to qualify for the program.
The CEO said Agro studies enrolls around 1,500 students every year from 14 countries including Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Benin, Liberia among others. He cautioned students against laziness, escaping and staying in Israel beyond the program period.
“You are not going for summer. It involves very hard and intensive work in the field. If you feel you are not qualified or capable of doing it, this is not a place for you. It is true Agrostudies is a life changing program and we have thousands of students with amazing successful stories but you need to understand that agriculture is not done in the office, it does not involve air condition but it is hard physical work in the field”, the CEO emphasized.
Mr. Yaron however told students not be afraid when they reach the airport saying it is their job to take care of them as mothers and fathers for the next eleven months.
“If you are sick, or have a problem back home, we are the ones to take care of you. We will be very communicative with the university in case of problems and we will solve them. We have a member of staff who will be in charge and he will visit you on the farm, check accommodation to see that everything is well and on arrival at the airport you will be availed emergency numbers”, the CEO pledged.
Yaron told students that on arrival in Israel they will be quarantined for seven days, hosted in a farm apartment and given food and other necessities but before exiting the airport they will be subjected to a PCR test at a cost of USD 20 which will be repeated after seven days at no cost but they will have to pay for a PCR test upon their return to Uganda.
He urged students to carry with them laptops for they will start school during that quarantine period through the Israel system including all courseworks and tests adding that they have to pass to get that diploma.
The CEO said, once out of quarantine, students will be vaccinated because every citizen is vaccinated with Pfitzer noting that Israel is the first country in the world that gives a booster because after 6 months of vaccination the anti-bodies disappear or become low.
He explained that whether vaccinated or not, it does not matter as long as one is through with the quarantine period. In Israel, he said that a green tag is issued after vaccination to allow one to go to a restaurant, mall and other public places.
He reported that the Delta COVID variant was rampant but with the vaccination, the number has gone down significantly and going low day by day with anumber of PCR tests conducted.
He told students that they will be going to one of the campuses once every week to meet teachers, doctors and students from other countries and experience different courses of agriculture including crop, horticulture and dairy farming.
“Our job is to take the knowledge you have acquired here at university and transfer it into actions. Israel is a small and a highly developed agricultural nation with almost no arable land, the majority being a desert with a huge shortage of water unlike Uganda with a lot of water. And only 2% of the population grows everything the population needs and we export 150% of it because we have the technologies and this is why we hope you will experience this technology.
Success comes with hard work, so you will spend five days on the farm doing all farm activities, earn money for it and once you earn, it is important that you save a significant amount to help you come to Uganda and open your own business”, the CEO said
Part of the school requirement according to Yaron is for the students to prepare the agricultural protocol where they will study what the farms have and analyse them so as to help them understand how to eventually start their own agricultural business. Among other things of agricultural course is the requirement by students to prepare a business proposal with the help of Israeli experts so that once they come back, they will have the capital to start a business.
Mr. Yaron observed that unlike Rwanda where the largest cooperative is owned by 101 Agrostudies alumni and the second largest is owned by 39 Agrostudies alumni, there is not yet a cooperative owned by Agrostudies graduates in Uganda.
Yaron told students that Israel farmers are very strict with time adding that they must understand that agriculture is a very profitable business and depends on how one does it. He said, Israel used to grow mangoes but abandoned them for avocados and cherry tomatoes because they are more profitably grown using irrigation from 80% recycled domestic water.
“Israel is a good country but with very hard conditions so we had to do what was possible especially using technology not to starve. You need to know you are not representing yourself but Uganda. … you are young, your future is bright. Come back and be a success story not to end with few dollars in restaurants to wash dishes”, the CEO warned.
The Principal CAES Prof. Bernard Bashaasha described the day’s event as a happy day and thanked the coordinating team from various universities for a job well done.
Prof. Bashaasha thanked the Government of Uganda and Government of the state of Israel for the political collaboration and partnerships that enables such activities to take place.
Bashaasha also expressed appreciation to the Vice Chancellors of the five participating universities for embracing the program.
He thanked Agrostudies for the vision and initiative that started in 2013 noting that seventeen years down the road, the vision has matured.
The Principal congratulated the selected students for successfully reaching the flagging-off stage and going through a stiff competition, thorough screening process and medical examination
“When you go to Israel, be good ambassadors. You are carrying the flag of Uganda and take that very seriously because it is not just a ritual but something seriously intended. When you go, please come back so as not to spoil chances of your other colleagues and the implementation of the program”, Bashaasha advised.
Prof. Bashaasha appreciated the Government of Uganda for putting up a policy framework that allows such activities to happen.
He said the Agrostudies activity being conducted in various universities here is anchored in the government policy on guidelines of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET 2009) in the Ministry of Education and Sports.
Giving oversight of this, Prof. Bashaasha said, is the TVET Council which provides guidelines with eleven key parameters which stipulate that there has to be a governance structure, some remuneration, a written contract, social security coverage, a legal framework, the program of learning, on-off job training, formal assessment and within the duration of one to four years.
Jane Anyango is the Principal Communication Officer, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
Agriculture & Environment
FoodLAND Project Research Dissemination: Nakaseke District Farmers Sensitized on Modern Agricultural Practices & Proper Nutrition
******Food and Local, Agricultural, and Nutritional Diversity (FoodLAND) project aims to develop, implement and validate innovative, scalable, and sustainable technologies aimed at supporting the nutrition performance of local food systems in Africa, while strengthening agro-biodiversity and food diversity as well as diversity of healthy diets.
Experiences of Nakaseke District farmers
Farmers in Nakaseke District are indebted for the support and training received from the FoodLAND Project. Although many had been engaged in the activity, they lacked knowledge and skills of modern farming. Connected to FoodLAND through VEDCO, a non-governmental and not for profit agricultural organization, the farmers have acquired skills on value addition, precision irrigation/fertigation, smart storage systems, gardening and hydroponics systems, biodegradable mulching, precision crop protection systems, precision harvesting systems and agro-ecological intensification practices.
According to Ms. Nakawuba Sarah, a widow and tomato farmer in Kapeeka Sub County, Nakaseke District, the knowledge acquired has enabled her to expand, and gain more profits. “I extend my gratitude to FoodLAND and the funders of the project. The knowledge acquired over time has enabled me to expand my farm and earn more money. Due to ignorance, we used to be exploited – people would buy our products cheaply because we lacked knowledge of preservation. The training on value addition has helped us learn how to preserve our products and we are now benefiting more from them. At the time my husband died, we had just a small house built on his father’s land. I am happy that with the support received from VEDCO and FoodLAND, I have bought a plot of land, built a house, and I am able to pay school fees for my children. I once again thank VEDCO and the FoodLAND. Although the FoodLAND project is ending soon, I request that they do not leave us. They should continue training us so that we further improve our skills.”
Mr. Lubowa Samuel Sunday, also a farmer in Kapeeka Sub County, Nakaseke District is equally grateful. Through FoodLAND, several farmers in Nakaseke District have acquired knowledge of climate smart agriculture. “Farming in the dry season is no longer a challenge. Our harvest has increased and we are now earning more. However we still face a number of challenges including the high cost of fertilizers and pesticides. We appeal to the project team to conduct more research on natural remedies for the challenges we are experiencing.”
Ms. Nankya Jane, a coffee and banana farmer Semuto Sub County, Nakaseke District, the irrigation skills acquired through the project have greatly improved her farm. “The place where I do my farming was so dry, and this, in many cases, affected my yields. Through VEDCO, we were taken to the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK) where we acquired skills on proper irrigation and value addition using technologies developed by the FoodLAND Project. If I had acquired these skills when I started 7 years ago, I would be very far. My appeal is that you continue offering training to us. There is a lot more that we need to learn.”
About the FoodLAND project
Launched in 2020, the main objective of the FoodLAND project was to develop, implement and validate innovative, scalable and sustainable technologies aimed at supporting the nutrition performance of local food systems in Africa, while strengthening agro-biodiversity and food diversity as well as diversity of healthy diets.
Funded to the tune of 7 million euro by the European Commission within the Horizon 2020 programme, and led by Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna (Italy), the project committed to developing a range of innovations for local agriculture and aquaculture development, as well as to nudging consumers towards healthier eating behaviour in six African countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The project specifically aimed to empower smallholder farmers and food operators, foster nutrition responsive and sustainable agro-biodiversity, reinforce the productivity and resilience of food supply chains, and create new market opportunities at both the local and global scales, thereby encouraging the flourishing of rural communities. The project was envisaged to create a network of 14 local Food Hubs—paired with 14 separate cities in these countries—that would mobilise relevant actors in rural, urban and peri-urban communities and serve as injection points for testing and introducing the innovations. The 28 partners that comprise the FoodLAND consortium (18 of them African institutions while the other 10 are European) were expected to work together to develop, implement and validate 12 technological innovations; which include organizational and technological innovations for both vegetable and fish farming and food processing systems, together with 17 novel local food products, ranging from fresh, dried and processed vegetables and fish to composite flours and therapeutic foods.
In Uganda, the project was implemented in 6 districts namely; Masaka, Nakaseke, Kamuli, Lwengo, Mukono and Wakiso, and was led by Prof. John Muyonga from the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University. Other members on the project were: Prof. Johnny Mugisha from CAES; Dr. Cassius Aruho, Dr. Puline Nakyewa, Dr. Margaret Masette, Dr. Getrude Atukunda and Dr. Justus Rutaisire from NARO; Mr. Henry Nsereko from VEDCO; and Prof. Dorothy Nakimbugwe from Nutreal.
To date, the project team in Uganda has registered a number of achievements including;
- New nutrient enhanced food products – Noodles containing orange fleshed sweet potatoes and biofortified beans; instant flours containing orange fleshed sweet potatoes, biofortified beans and grain amaranth; and dry eggplant. Arrangements are in place for commercialization of the technologies by SMEs.
- Establishment of infrastructure at MUARIK for research and training on fertigation (irrigation that supplies water together with manure) and precision irrigation.
- Development of technology for smart cold storage of perishable foods such as fruits and vegetables. The technology allows for remote monitoring of temperature and relative humidity.
- Development of technology for rodent control in stores. This technology has been shown to be effective in preventing of rodent damage to food in stores.
- Promotion of agro-ecological intensification – Applying ecological principles to ensure sustainable agricultural production.
- Testing application of bio-based packaging of food
- Training of 100 farmers in different production technologies.
- Training of 3 M.Sc.
- Developing of nutrition guidelines for adults and the elderly.
Dissemination of the project findings and achievements to farmers and district leaders in Nakaseke
On 16th July 2024, the project team held a dissemination workshop for Nakaseke District leaders and farmers to sensitize them on different aspects including the research findings and recommendations for improved farming practices. Coordinated by Ms. Josephine Kisakye, and conducted at Butalangu District Headquarters, the workshop was attended by representatives of farmer groups in Nakaseke as well as the district officials, including the CAO, DHO, DPMO and RDC. On behalf of the Project Coordinator, Dr Richard Bukenya, also a member of staff in the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition briefed the farmers on the findings of the project, highlighting the project objectives and progress made thus far, including the technologies, novel raw materials, ingredients and food products developed. Under the project, a number of technologies for smart farming have been developed and are being tested. These include: Digital tools for precision agriculture, farming management systems like the rodent control system as part of smart storage systems, and the food processing systems like the solar drier.
During the workshop, Mr. Barak Price, a student on the project sensitized participants on the rodent control system. He also trained the farmers on precision irrigation/fertigation. The farmers were also taken through the processes of value addition. Ms. Josephine Kisakye, a researcher on the project discussed the nutrition recommendations developed by the project. In the course of the project activities, it was noted that diets in Uganda are mainly composed of starchy staples, especially cereals, roots, tubers and bananas, with legumes constituting the main protein source. Intake of micronutrient-rich foods is low, despite various interventions to promote consumption of fruits, and vegetables. Ugandan adult and elderly population in both rural and urban areas were found to be at risk of under-nutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies. Nutritional recommendations included: i) Daily consumption of locally available fruits and vegetables, whole starchy staples, and protein-rich foods; including beans, peas, nuts, fish, eggs, and meat; ii) Limiting the consumption of fried foods, salt, alcohol, and sweetened beverages; iii) Hydrate with fluids, preferably water; Regular engagement in moderate-intensity physical activity like brisk walking, digging, swimming, aerobics, and cycling; vi) Undertaking medical examination at intervals of no longer than 6 months to facilitate timely detection and treatment of ailments like diabetes, hypertension, high plasma cholesterol and cancers.
Appreciation by the District officials
Butalangu Town Clerk, Ms. Rashida Mutebi on behalf of the Chief Administrative Officer appreciated the project for reaching out and working with the local communities to improve their livelihoods. “The trainings on value addition will go a long way in saving our farmers losses,” she noted, calling for resilience and cooperation amongst the farmers. “It is important that you work together. Always share best practices if you are to improve yourselves and gain more from farming. I also implore you to always keep records of your farming activities.”
In his remarks, Nakaseke District Health Officer, Dr Alija Simon noted that the challenge of non-communicable diseases was on the raise due to poor feeding habits. He expressed gratitude to the project for incorporating the important aspect of nutrition in its research.
DPMO Wandera James appreciated the Government of Uganda for investing in farming. He also appreciated the project team for the trainings offered to the farmers in the district, noting that value addition was a key area of focus in the Parish Development Model. “Nakaseke is now becoming a food hub. I thank Makerere University for working with the communities. Initially, research was done but stopped in the shelves of the University. We are happy that you are now working with the communities to identify solutions to the challenges undermining agriculture. Research should be conducted for development.”
Addressing participants, the Assistant RDC, Nakaseke District, Mr. Muhoozi Michael appreciated Makerere University, specifically the FoodLAND Project, calling for more innervations to support farmers in the district out of poverty. He implored the farmer groups to form a cooperative, noting that the latter forms a better platform for soliciting support.
A similar dissemination exercise was conducted in Kamuli District in Eastern Uganda.
More photos from the FoodLAND project Nakaseke Dissemination
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on 19th July 2024 endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding between Makerere University and Oregon State University to collaborate in different aspects of academics. The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by members of staff from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) namely; Dr Revocatus Twinomuhangi, Dean, School of Forestry, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences; Dr Lawrence Orikiriza Head, Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism; and Prof. Jim Ayorekire from the same department. Oregon State University was represented by Dr Ian E. Munanura, an Associate Professor in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, College of Forestry, and Ms. Racheal Fahrenbach, Manager International Programs at the College of Forestry. At Makerere, the MoU will be implemented by the Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism under the leadership of Prof. Jim Ayorekire. At Oregon State University, it will be implemented by the College of Forestry.
Under the MoU, the two institutions have agree to mutually promote the following programmes, based on their respective academic and educational needs; i) Exchange of scholars and faculty staff, ii) Exchange of undergraduate and graduate students for research and study, iii) Exchange of academic information and materials, iv) Joint research activities and publications, v) Participation in conferences and academic meetings vi) Joint running of short-term academic programs, vii) Resource mobilization in respect of areas of mutual interest, and any other areas which may promote their mutual interests.
During the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor noted that programmes agreed on in the MoU were in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, and would greatly advance Makerere’s aspiration to become a research-led University. “As we move towards becoming a research-led University, we aim to contribute to the realization of Agenda 2063 which seeks to have Africa produce at least one million PhDs as one of the measures to eradicate poverty from the continent. Partnerships like this will help us achieve our target, by building our supervision capacity,” he explained, pledging support towards the implementation of the MoU.
Dr Ian Munanura on behalf of Oregon State University expressed gratitude to work with Makerere, noting that the partnership would strengthen research capacity of the two institutions and support the mentorship of the next generation of scientists to deal with the challenges facing humanity including climate change and unemployment.
About the Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism at Makerere
The Department of Forestry, Biodiversity, and Tourism under the School of Forestry, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University offers programmes namely; Bachelor of Science in Conservation Forestry and Products Technology; Bachelor of Social and Entrepreneurial Forestry; and Master of Science in Agroforestry. Specific courses offered under those programmes include; Agroforestry Systems, Practices And Technologies; Drylands Agroforestry; Advanced Community Forestry; Gender Issues In Forestry; Advanced Biodiversity Conservation; Ecophysiology and Agronomy; Forestry For Rural Development; Natural Resource Management; Tropical Forest Ecology And Management; Forestry Business Management; Entrepreneurship In Forestry; Forestry And Food Security; Indigenous Knowledge in Resource Management; Biomass Energy Production and Conservation; Land Use Planning and Watershed Management; Forest Planning and Development; Forest Ecosystems and Livelihoods; and Forest Planning and Development. The Department also conducts a wide range of research in the fields highlighted above. The training offered exposes graduates from the department to a wide range of employment opportunities.
About the College of Forestry, Oregon State University
The Oregon State University College of Forestry is an internationally recognized leader that is transforming education, research and policy for managing and sustaining working forest ecosystems in the 21st century. The College offers a world-class education that provides a wide variety of opportunities following graduation. Academic excellence is the hallmark of the College of Forestry programs at Oregon State University. Ranked as one of the premier forestry schools in the world, students find a variety of programs that offer broad education, rigorous depth and professional focus. The College is known for its collaborative research approach to advance knowledge and bring solutions to issues facing forest landscapes and ecosystems. It takes pride in creating new and innovative approaches to help partners enhance people’s lives while improving the health of lands, businesses and vital ecosystems.
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