Makerere University

College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Request for

Applications for MSc. Scholarship under the Project entitled:

“Robusta coffee agroforestry to adapt and mitigate climate change in Uganda- ROBUSTA”

Background

The European Union through its Programme known as “Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture”- DESIRA is supporting a consortium of 8 International and  National research organisations which include:- The French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)-Kenya, The Institute of Research For Development (IRD)-France, Makerere University (MaK)-Uganda, The National Coffee Research Institute (NaCORI)-of the National Agricultural Research Organisation Uganda (NARO), The National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NaFORRI)of NARO, Strand Life Sciences Private Limited (Strand)-India,  and The Uganda Coffee Farmers Alliance Limited (UCFA)  to implement a research project in Uganda entitled “Robusta coffee agroforestry to adapt and mitigate climate change in Uganda” with CIRAD as lead institution.

The overall project objective is to support sustainable economic development of Uganda by promoting and improving the Robusta coffee agroforestry farming system. The specific objectives: (i) To design improved Robusta-coffee-based agroforestry systems for enhanced adaptation, mitigation and resilience capacity to buffer climate change impact. To be achieved through international scientific collaboration and participative approach, and (ii) Through partnership with local producers and multi-stakeholders’ interactions, to foster the adoption at all levels, from farm to development strategy designers, of C-Af as a means to counter climate change impact.

As part of the capacity building endeavour, the consortium is searching for qualified candidates to fill six vacant MSc. positions within the project. The MSc. research will fall within the broad field of evaluating, designing and promoting coffee agroforestry systems for adapting and mitigating climate change effects. In particular MSc. research will cover among other (i) Soil and plant health studies seeking to Improving the soil and climatic resilience of coffee small-holder farms and examine ways for taking advantage of Microbiota-mediated soil and plant health interaction in ecological intensification (diversification) of C-Af systems.  (ii) Selection and breeding for drought and heat resistance (iii) Pest and diseases (P&D) control in coffee agro-forestry systems (C-Af). The activity concentrateson major coffee pests and diseases in Uganda. 

MSc research topic/areas

Applications are required for each of the specified research topic below:-

MSc 3: Determination of economic injury levels and yield losses due to the black coffee twig borer (Xylosandrus compactus) (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in Robusta Coffee in Uganda. This work will estimate (i) Yield losses caused by X. compactus among different Robusta coffee varieties as well as the economic Injury Level (EIL) and (ii) Economic Threshold (ET) of X. compactus. This work to be supervised by Makerere University

Qualification:

1. Possession of a Bachelors’ degree in Agriculture, Zoology or any closely related Bachelors’ degree in the broad field of crop science.
2. Evidence of admission under relevant Master’s degree at a reputable University.
3. Evidence of secured funding or funder’s commitment for first year in case of a 2-year course. This scholarship is for one year; with first priority being given to students who have completed their course work and are on normal progress.
4. Recommendation letter from potential University Supervisor.

MSc 4: Impact of coffee value chain greening technologies on socioeconomic status of women. The research will evaluate farmers’ needs and expectation regarding C-Af development. The work will also establish socio-economic patterns of C-AF systems. The MSc. student working with scientist from NaCORRI will establish at least 5 women associations implementing a briquette production unit, operated as micro-enterprises. This work will be supervised by NaCORRI

Qualification:

1. Possession of a Bachelors’ degree in Agriculture or any closely related Bachelors’ degree in the broad field of Agriculture.
2. Evidence of admission under relevant Master’s degree at a reputable University
3. Evidence of secured funding or funder’s commitment for first year in case of a 2-year course. This scholarship is for one year; with first priority being given to students who have completed their course work and are on normal progress.
4. Recommendation letter from potential University Supervisor

MSc 13-1: Determination of yield losses and costs due to the red blister disease in Robusta Coffee in Uganda. This work will estimate yield losses caused by red blister disease among different Robusta coffee varieties. The research will also determine costs due to red blister disease. The work will be supervised by NaCORRI

Qualification:

1. Possession of a Bachelors’ degree in Crop Science (Pest management or any closely related Bachelors’ degree in the broad field of crop science.  
2. Evidence of admission under relevant Master’s degree at a reputable University.                                                           
3. Evidence of secured funding or funder’s commitment for first year in case of a 2-year course. This scholarship is for one year; with first priority being given to students who have completed their course work and are on normal progress.
4. Recommendation letter from potential University Supervisor

MSc 13-2: Effect of altitude and agrobiodiversity on spatio-temporal dynamics of coffee and cocoa pests and diseases. The aim of this study is to (i) Determine the effects of the functional traits of shade trees on microclimate. (ii) Determine P&D dynamics along the altitudinal gradient in the coffee cocoa farming system. The work will be supervised by NaCORRI

Qualification:

1. Possession of a Bachelors’ degree in Agriculture (Pest management or any closely related Bachelors’ degree in the broad field of crop science. 
2. Evidence of admission under relevant Master’s degree at a reputable University.
3. Evidence of secured funding or funder’s commitment for first year in case of a 2-year course. This scholarship is for one year; with first priority being given to students who have completed their course work and are on normal progress.
4. Recommendation letter from potential University Supervisor

MSc 14-1: Identification of Robusta coffee accessions with genetic, morphological, and biochemical traits that meet the market demand. The MSc. will establish (i) Traits of preference along the coffee value chain. (ii) A market-oriented descriptor profile of on-station field Robusta coffee accessions based on selected morphological, biotic, abiotic, and biochemical attributes.(iii)Parental accessions as sources of traits for developing market-oriented coffee varieties. The work will be supervised by NaFORRI

Qualification:

1. Possession of a Bachelors’ degree in Agriculture or any closely related Bachelors’ degree in the broad field of Agriculture. 
2. Evidence of admission under relevant Master’s degree at a reputable University. 
3. Evidence of secured funding or funder’s commitment for first year in case of a 2-year course. This scholarship is for one year; with first priority being given to students who have completed their course work and are on normal progress.
4. Recommendation letter from potential University Supervisor

MSc 14-2: Influence of field capacity and deficit irrigation on morpho-physiological response of Robusta coffee. The work will establish a drought screening protocol for Robusta coffee based on irrigation demand of coffee and field capacity of soil. In addition, the study will screen for traits for drought tolerance. The work will be supervised, NaCORRI

Qualification:

1. Possession of a Bachelors’ degree in Agriculture or any closely related Bachelors’ degree in the broad field of Agriculture. 
2. Evidence of admission under relevant Master’s degree at a reputable University.
3. Evidence of secured funding or funder’s commitment for first year in case of a 2-year course. This scholarship is for one year; with first priority being given to students who have completed their course work and are on normal progress.
4. Recommendation letter from potential University Supervisor

Application

• All applications should be delivered by 2^nd.04.2023 to the following address:
• Department of Agricultural Production, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University. PO Box 7062, Kampala Uganda or via email to Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa; skyamanywa@gmail.com with a copy to Ms Ruthie Mutyaba,  ruthiemutyaba@gmail.com,
• Additional information may be obtained from Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa using the same address; Phone +256772220000.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Application letter
• Complete CV
• Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts including a translation if the documents are not in English.
• Names and contact details for two references
• Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original certificates and transcripts.