Agriculture & Environment
Prof. John H. Muyonga Delivers Professorial Inaugural Lecture
Published
5 months agoon

Theme: Circular Bio-economy: Applications to the Agri-food Sector
In his Lecture, Prof. John H. Muyonga highlighted the nutritional value of waste from agri-food products and explained the measures that can be taken to minimize wastage
The Inaugural Lecture
A lot of what is thrown away as waste from agri-food products contains nutrients that are crucial for the body’s immunity. This was revealed by Prof. John H. Muyonga during his Professorial Inaugural Lecture held on 23 June 2023 at the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility, Makerere University. Organized under the theme: Circular Bio-economy: Applications to the Agri-food Sector, the lecture was graced by the University Top Management led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, and attended by academics and administrators from the 10 Colleges of Makerere, as well as the family of Prof. Muyonga. Prof. Muyonga.

The health benefits of waste from agri-food products
In his presentation, Prof. John H. Muyonga, a Professor of Food Science at the Department of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University revealed that waste of plant origin contains nutrients and a wide diversity of non-nutrient compounds (phytochemicals), that are associated with health benefits. “The non-starch polysaccharides from fruits, vegetables and whole cereals help prevent cancer, hypertensive, hypoglycemic, and hypochloresterol. Carotenoids found in coloured fruits and vegetables equally prevent hypertensive, cancer, obesity, and support vision. The phytosterols in cereals and legume cereals bran serve as antioxidants and help in the prevention of colon cancer and hypochloresterol effect, hypertensive, pytic acid, and kidney stone formation,” Prof. Muyonga explained, further highlighting valuable components of waste from selected food crops. Citrus peels and seeds contain Pectin, essences, ethanol, D-limonene, limonoids and flavonoids. Mango peels and kernels contain fibre, vitamins, carotenoids and polyphenols, kernal fat and pectin. Passion fruit seeds and rind contain pectin and linoleic acid. Banana peels have phenolics, beta-carotenoids, anthocyanins, fiber, amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, flavonoids and potassium, whereas Avocado seeds and peels contain carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fibres, minerals, phenolics, flavonoids, and fatty acids. Prof. Muyonga also highlighted a number of valuable components in waste from animal-based foods emphasizing the need to minimize wastage. According to Prof. Muyonga, increased adoption of circular bio-economy principles can help minimise wastage. Circular bio-economy entails reuse of as much bio-waste as possible, resulting in multiple value added products from a given volume of harvested biomass. Circular bio-economy can be used to explore the use of waste streams as raw materials for products such as new food products, feed, fuel, industrial ingredients, bio-plastics, biopharmaceuticals, bio-cosmetics, enzymes, nutritional supplements, nutraceuticals, materials for tissue repair, plasma substitutes, microbes and adsorbents. Circular bio-economy decreases dependency on natural resources by encouraging sustainable goods that generate food, feed, materials and energy using biological resources.

Minimising wastage of agri-food products
During his 26 years at Makerere University, Prof. Muyonga has been key in developing research capacity on previously under researched foods including grain amaranth, jackfruit, pumpkins, Solanum anguivi (katukuma), and Nile perch, among others. Working with a number of partners, he has conducted research and come up with various technologies to minimize wastage in agri-food products. Given the Nutraceutical properties of jackfruit pulp, he has conducted research and developed protocols for drying jackfruit pulp using the Refractance Window Drying technology. He has conducted studies on pumpkin and produced shelf stable flours from seed and pulp of pumpkins. Flour from the seeds is high in phytochemicals and it is recommended for weight control. Together with his research team, they have processed sweetpotato products into shelf-stable value added products. He has also conducted research on jackfruit pectin. The work entailed extracting pectin from jackfruit and assessing its properties. He also worked on the production and utilisation of passion fruit powder. Other key activities included; Tamarind seed analysis and utilisation- Tamarind seed powder was found to be suitable for use as ingredient to enhance nutraceutical properties of juices and cookies; Nile Perch collagen and gelatin studies – Collagen has a unique amino acid profile that gives it peculiar properties, including the ability to form gels when dissolved in water; Nile Perch oil extraction and Characterisation- Fish oils are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids contribute to brain development and protection against cardiovascular diseases, breast, colon and prostate cancer, inflammation, depression, pain and psychosis. He also worked on characterisation of cassava leaf, processing and utilisation. Cassava leaves were found to be high in proteins, carbohydrates, beta-carotene, polyphenols and ascorbic acid.
Future plans
In future, Prof. Muyonga intends to work on the characterization of by-products from more agri-food materials produced in Uganda. He also hopes to work on the application of novel and sustainable technologies in agri-food waste valorisation to improve extraction efficiency, efficacy and limit environmental impact; and to evaluate new applications of components of agri-food waste – e.g. in bio-based packaging and bio-preservation. Prof. Muyonga also plans to undertake policy and techno-economic analysis of valorisation options.

Remarks by the Vice Chancellor
According to Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, an inaugural lecture is an occasion of significance in an academic staff member’s career at the university. It provides professors with the opportunity to share their achievements in research, innovation, engagement and teaching activities before an audience of members of the University community and the general public.

In his address, Prof. Nawangwe congratulated Prof. Muyonga for making all necessary preparations to deliver his Professorial Inaugural Lecture. “This is the way to go as we continue to boost our scholarship, image and reputation. The Professorial Inaugural Lecture should act as an inspiration to all of us as scholars to not only learn but also continuously disseminate our work. I want to implore other colleagues at the rank of Professor in the University to emulate Prof. Muyonga and also deliver their Professorial Inaugural Lectures.” The Vice Chancellor commended CAES for spearheading the initiative leading to Prof. Muyonga’s presentation and applauded the Professorial Inaugural Lectures Organising Committee (PILOC) led by Prof. David Bakibinga for a job well done in preparing for this event. Highlighting the significance of Prof. Muyonga’s lecture focus, “Circular bioeconomy: Applications to the agri-food sector”, the Vice Chancellor noted that it was quite novel and contemporary, testifying that Makerere University possesses the competencies and capacities to substantially address the national and global development challenges. “Our science, creation of new knowledge and innovations in this field will be crucial for national stability cognizant of Uganda’s rapid population growth and high levels of youth unemployment. As a premier university, we should harness the emerging opportunities including artificial intelligence which appears to be a game changer to find practical solutions to complex societal challenges at multiple scales,” he explained.

Remarks by the DVCAA
In his remarks, the First Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, also host of the Professorial Inaugural Lectures, Prof. Umar Kakumba said Prof. Muyonga’s research works had demonstrated Makerere’s commitment and contribution to the realization of the national and global development agendas. “As academics, we have a duty to think and address the needs of the growing population, projected to reach 60 million in 2030 and 102 million in 2060. The research done by Prof. Muyonga contributes to the realization of the SDGs2,3,9,12 aimed at reducing hunger; ensuring good health and wellbeing, generating employment and income through innovation; and reversing the current consumption trends as well as promoting a more sustainable future.”

Prof. Muyonga’s biography
Prof. Muyonga holds a PhD in Food Science from the University of Pretoria, M.Sc. Food Science from Cornell University and a B.Sc. Food Science and Technology from Makerere University. He became full Professor of Food Science of Makerere University in 2010, and has served as Faculty at Makerere University since 1997. Prof. Muyonga was Head of the Department of Food Science and Technology from 2006 to 2011, during which period the Department transformed to the now School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering and served as the pioneer Dean of the School. He has published over 80 peer reviewed journal articles, mainly in areas of nutraceutical and physico-chemical properties of traditional Ugandan foods, improvement of traditional food handling and processing methods, extrusion technology, novel drying techniques and agri-food waste valorisation. Prof. Muyonga serves as Associate Editor of two (2) international journals and his work has been cited in over 3,900 articles.

Prof. Muyonga has played critical roles in the development of capacity for food science and nutrition research and research translation in Uganda. He has led more than twenty (20) research and consultancy projects and raised over 20 million US$ for research, technology translation and institutional development. He has been key in developing research capacity on previously under researched foods including grain amaranth, jack fruit, pumpkins, Solanum anguivi (katukuma), and Nile perch, among others. As a university administrator, Prof. Muyonga coordinated the implementation of several institutional development initiatives, including a NORAD funded institutional development project for Makerere University’s Department of Food Science and Technology and the setting up of a Technology and Business Incubation Centre at Makerere University.

Under his leadership, the Department of Food Science and Technology and the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bioengineering initiated four (4) new degree programmes, registered great improvement in research infrastructure, greatly increased graduate students’ enrolment and graduation rates, markedly increased output of peer reviewed research articles and supported commercialisation of dozens of new food products. He has served on several boards, advisory and technical committees, and is currently Chair of the Management Committee of the National Agricultural Research Laboratories, as well as board member of Volunteer Efforts Development Concerns. Prof. Muyonga is a Fellow of the Uganda Academy of Sciences and professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists (USA). He was the 2009 TWAS young scientist, is an alumnus of the Global Young Academy, UN University and TWAS affiliate programme. He was previously member of the scientific advisory committee of the Bill and Melinda Gates funded Banana Biotechnology Programme and served as Technical Evaluator for the World Bank African Centres of Excellence for Central and Western Africa and for the European Commission research programmes. Prof. Muyonga is also a Rotarian and has served in several roles in his club (Rotary Club of Kampala North). He is a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF+3) and is actively engaged in numerous Rotary projects supporting the underserved.
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Agriculture & Environment
Soybean Breeders Deliberate Strategies for Improving Productivity
Published
6 days agoon
November 30, 2023
The breeders from USA, Brazil and across Africa, including scientists from CGIAR met at Makerere University on 28th November-1st December 2023 to share experiences, best practices and ideas on collaboration, and to brainstorm on ways of improving productivity.
Overview
Soybean (Glycine max) serves as one of the most valuable crops in the world, not only as an oil seed crop and feed for livestock and aquaculture, but also as a good and cheap source of protein for human diet and as a biofuel feedstock. The protein content of soybean is the highest among legume crops, averaging 40% on a dry matter basis. Soy-foods are generally considered to be nutritious and healthy based on their nutrient composition which includes protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fibres as well as minerals and phytoestrogens (or isoflavones). Due to its nutritional superiority, soybean-based foods are highly recommended for children under 5 years, expectant mothers, and HIV/AIDS patients. Impact studies have shown that regular soy food consumption can reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering serum cholesterol by about 33%. It can also reduce the risk of rectal cancer by 80%, mammary tumour by 40%, and breast cancer by 50%.

Economic viability
Production of soybean stands at 264 million MT worldwide, with United States of America (USA), Brazil and Argentina being the largest producers. In Africa, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Uganda are the largest producers, with annual volumes estimated at 1.5 million metric tonnes (FAO, 2017). The Soybean Market size is estimated to reach $259 billion by 2030 (IndustryARC – Soybean Market Forecast 2023-2028).

The economic viability of soy production is determined by the commercial utilization of both its sub-products, meal and oil, which, respectively, account for about two thirds and one third of the crop’s economic value. Soymeal accounts for over 60% of world output of vegetable and animal meals and occupies a prominent position among protein feedstuffs used in the production of feed concentrates, while soybean oil is the single most important vegetable oil, accounting for 20% of global vegetable oil production. The widespread use of soybean oil in particular as edible oil is mainly due to (i) its plentiful and dependable supplies, (ii) its competitive price, (iii) its neutral flavour, and its stability in both unhydrogenated and partially hydrogenated form. Indirectly, the rapid rise in the demand for compound feed has contributed considerably to the rise in soybean and soyoil production. Soybean contributes significantly to the total value added by the agricultural sector in the major producing countries and particularly so in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and the USA. In these countries, soybean and its two main sub-products also occupy an important position in export earnings from agriculture as well as in terms of total merchandise exports (FAO). In Uganda, soybean is number one income earner crop in Northern and Eastern Uganda. Farmers in the region earn at least UGX1,200,000 per hectare per season.

Challenges undermining productivity
Despite the significant strides registered by soybean growing countries, and the health and economic benefits that the crop presents, a number of challenges still undermine productivity. These include; pests and diseases, prolonged droughts and prolonged rains, poor agronomic practices, inaccessibility to good seed by farmers, drudgery in the production chain (Planting and harvesting) and market price fluctuations, as well as mismatches in supply and demand. Surging input costs, supply disruptions of fertilizers and alternative crops caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and lingering COVID-19 effects have added more uncertainty and volatility to the soybeans market, driving up the prices. Home grown technologies, local seed business approach, and addressing the whole value chain, are envisaged as some of the strategies to overcome the challenges. Adapting crop management, conserving and improving soil conditions by minimizing tilling, increasing crop diversification, protecting soil from erosion, as well as the development of drought-tolerant varieties, will be key to withstand the emerging climate challenges.

Soybean Breeders meeting at Makerere
Soybean breeders from USA, Brazil, and across Africa including scientists from CGIAR on 28th November 2023 met at Makerere University to share experiences, best practices, and ideas on collaboration, and to brainstorm on ways of improving soybean productivity. The meeting held at the School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) was organized by the Makerere University Centre for Soybean Improvement and Development (MAKCSID) and the Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL) of the University of Illinois with support from USAID. It was coordinated by Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa, Principal Investigator for the Soybean Breeding and Seed Systems at Makerere, and Prof. Brian Diers from SIL, University of Illinois. It was graced by the Principal of CAES, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, the Deputy Principal, Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze, and the Dean, SAS, Dr John Baptist Tumuhairwe. During the meeting, participants shared progress reports of their respective institutions, highlighting the achievements registered in soybean breeding and seed systems, best practices, challenges undermining productivity, and strategies for improvement. In his presentation, Prof. Diers briefed participants on SIL breeding efforts, indicating that 20 varieties had been developed between 2019-2022 up from the 7 developed between 2013-2018. He also shared updates on the renewed funding from USAID, and the support extended towards new breeding programmes at IITA in Nigeria, IITA in Zambia, EIAR in Ethiopia, Makerere University, and SARI in Ghana.

Delivering a presentation on soybean research in Uganda, Prof. Tukamuhabwa noted that the country had registered significant strides with the production of six high yielding varieties namely; Maksoy IN, Maksoy 2N, Maksoy 3N, Maksoy 4N; Maksoy 5N, Maksoy 6N. Recent impact studies indicated that the new varieties developed by MAKCSID were the most planted and accounted for 93% of the soybean varieties grown by Ugandan farmers. Currently, Maksoy 1N is the most widely adopted variety by farmers, while Maksoy 3N has the largest quantities of foundation seed disseminated by the Centre. According to Prof. Tukamuhabwa, the Centre also established a state-of-the-art seed storage facility for early generation seed (Breeders and Foundation seed) and soybean germplasm used for breeding other varieties. Other facilities are soybean processing equipment (soycow) and Soybean roaster that are used to add value to soybeans. The growth of the soybean sub-sector in Uganda is mainly attributed to the availability of a wide range of improved varieties, government investment in soybean research, and increased private sector investment along the soybean value chain. Despite the achievements, Prof. Tukamuhabwa outlined a number of factors undermining soybean seed systems in Uganda including; the presumed high cost of seed by farmers, counterfeit seed in the market, limited interest in self-pollinating crops by most private seed companies, weak seed policy enforcement, limited access to seed, and unpredictable weather conditions. He expressed gratitude to all development partners that have supported the growth of the MAKCSID programme including; USAID through SIL, the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF VODP), NARO, NAcRRI, RUFORUM, AATF, AGRA, Soybean Africa Limited, NAADS, Smart Foods, ISSD Uganda, IITA, and all local soybean stakeholders.

At the meeting, participants including Godfree Chigeza from IITA, Zambia; Abush Tesfaye (IITA, Nigeria), Masresha Yirga (EIAR, Ethiopia), Harun Murithi (SIL), Andrew Scaboo (University of Missouri), Elizabeth De Meyer (University of Missouri), and Carrie Miranda (North Dakota State University) delivered presentations on the progress of their breeding and research programmes.

A major concern arising from the meeting was the increasing threat of rust. Through efforts of the Centre for Soybean Improvement and Development (MAKCSID), the soybean rust pandemic was brought under control, through breeding and dissemination of superior varieties to the farming communities.

Going forward, participants emphasized the need to set up a rust reference centre, early warning systems, and disease nurseries – potential lines for monitoring virulence. They also called for an increase in germplasm acquisition, capacity building for germplasm storage and utilization, introduction of bruchid tolerant genotypes, introduction of soybean genotypes suitable for mechanical harvest, mechanization of production processes, leveraging the scarce research infrastructure, and the development of necessary skills amongst scientists and staff.

In her remarks, the Principal of CAES, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga expressed gratitude to participants for leading soybean development initiatives. She also appreciated the development partners for supporting the programme. Commenting on the significance of the crop, she said under NDPIII, soybean had been identified as a game changer and one of the crops to improve the country’s food systems. “The crop has been targeted for its oils and nutritional benefits. It is therefore important that we move it to the next level in terms of resistance to diseases, adaption to climate change, and development of fast growing varieties.” She specifically thanked the breeding team led by Prof. Tukamuhabwa for making Makerere the leading Centre in quality soybean seed production and distribution in the country. During their four-day visit, the soybean breeders visited the screen houses, soybean fields, and the Early Generation Seed Unit at MUARIK where they provided enriching insights for improvement. The team also toured Nakabango/Jinja trials as well as the Bugi ZARDI highland soybean trials.
More photos from the meeting
















Agriculture & Environment
Stakeholders to work with Academia to strengthen Education & Research in Biodiversity Conservation
Published
1 week agoon
November 27, 2023
On 16th November 2023, national and international stakeholders participated in the kick off workshop hosted at Makerere University to further consolidate various schools of thought aimed at producing a holistic and relevant graduate student equipped with practical skills, research and problem solving abilities aligned to Sustainable Development Goals.
The blended kick off workshop, which brought on board the academia, researchers, private sector, civil society, business community and graduate students set the pace for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Partnership Project titled: Strengthening Education and Research Capacity for Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resources Use.”
Expected to benefit over 350 graduate students and 20 members of staff, the SDG Partnership project that will be implemented by Makerere University (Mak) through the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) in collaboration with Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW), and Central University of Technology (CUT) is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Welcoming the stakeholders to the kick off workshop, the research project team represented by Prof. John Tabuti from Makerere University and Ms Nele Vahrenhorst from Rhine Waal University of Applied Sciences highlighted that the project seeks to contribute to the following SDGs:

- Poverty Eradication (SDG 1), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Quality Education (SDG 4), Economic Growth (SDG 8), promoting sustainable consumption and production through developing business opportunities in natural resources use (SDG 12), Climate action through better management technologies and protection on natural resources and ecosystems reducing carbon emissions (SDG 13), as well as protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managed forests, combat desertification and halt reverse land degradation and halt bio diversity loss (SDG 15).
Prof. Tabuti stated that the mode of delivery will prioritise the student using an approach referred to as ‘Student-centred learning.”
The main objective of the project is to enhance SDG research and teaching through a strong North-South-South partnership between HSRW, Mak, and CUT, so as to prepare graduate students for the societal challenges ahead, and the requirements of the job market. The SDG project partnership will ensure that university graduates are highly equipped with the necessary competencies to develop appropriate resource management responses, and implement optimum biodiversity conservation strategies as well as dealing with dynamic and complex business problems. The project will address the issue of environmental degradation hence poverty reduction, food insecurity, natural resource depletion, and climate change.
The project will focus on mainly Uganda, being the most bio-diverse country in Sub-Saharan Africa, with over 70% of its population relying on agriculture and use of natural resources. In addition, the loss of substantial parts of the natural habitat used in infrastructure development and extension is a major issue of concern. The research project states the urgent need to encourage the youths and students to foster their passion for SDGs premised on the rapid population growth in Uganda, with 50% of the population being under 16 years old.

Officially opening the kick off workshop for the SDG partnership project, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, represented by Associate Prof. Robert Wamala from the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training commended the physical and online participants for accepting to engage in this highly interactive workshop. He further underscored the need to conduct research aligned to the SDGs, national development goals, and global challenges.
The Vice Chancellor pointed out that biodiversity, despite sustaining the planet, faces unprecedented challenges including: Climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and unsustainable resource use. He highlighted education and research as the most formidable tools in addressing these challenges. He noted the role played by Makerere University through its 5-year Strategic Plan that aligns with the National Development Plan III (2020/21-2024/25), by contributing to our transformation into a “research-led” institution with a multi-faceted research agenda and enhanced engagement with industry players.
Associate Professor Robert Wamala concluded by informing the audience that DAAD has been instrumental in his career growth, having sponsored both his Masters’ and PhD studies. Currently serving as Deputy Director (Research Innovations and Partnerships) at Makerere University, he applauded DAAD for supporting research and capacity building programmes at Makerere University.

According to the Acting Head, Department of Environmental Management at Makerere University, Associate Professor Vincent Muwanika, the project will support practical training of students on problem identification, and staff in identifying and publishing local cases that are key in enhancing growth, not only at Makerere University but also in the private sector.
Associate Prof. Muwanika observed that the project’s alignment with SDG 15 will be guided by and greatly benefit from partnerships. He noted that partnerships are key in enabling us share and cross fertilize academic ideas and experiences, a feat that has kept Makerere University among top-tier research institutions.
Highlighting the importance of policies in churning out relevant products, Associate Prof. Muwanika commended the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University-Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for spearheading and overseeing policies and programmes that recognize, incentivize, and promote partnerships with industry, people and institutions outside Makerere University.
To further onboard the stakeholders, the project team leads namely Prof. John Tabuti and Ms Nele Vahrenhorst specified that the main activities of the project would include: improving the teaching material on courses that assemble natural resources for use, socio-ecological issues, data analysis, genetics, entrepreneurship, and sustainable tourism. The project will focus on capacity building of teaching and research staff on various methods, develop case studies on sustainable natural resources use, develop networks with non-academic actors, enhance student mobility to strengthen international perspectives, as well as promote inter-country inter-disciplinary learning exchange, incorporate higher education management, internationalization, digitalization as well as monitoring and evaluation.

Prof. Tabuti advocated for a strong stakeholder engagement for content development, research undertakings and case studies. “We have brought you on board because you are key people in the field. You are going to play an instrumental role in the development of case studies. Stakeholders will work with the academic staff to develop the content and teach our students,” said Prof. Tabuti.
In a highly interactive session involving a plenary and group sessions, the stakeholders contributed to the discussion on their needs and expectations regarding the graduate competencies and skills in biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resources.
Matters arising from the stakeholder workshop:
- With regard to the kind of graduates’ employers would wish to have, participants presented a number of qualities including: good communication skills, practical orientation, humility, openness to diversity, readiness to learn and unlearn, ability to adopt to work ethics, problem solving skills, articulateness, confidence with ability to collaborate, design thinking mindset, and innovativeness.
- In response to a question on how the partnership with stakeholders to support teaching and research shall be made possible, the participants presented proposals including: Identification of case studies linking to the lecture to be delivered, identification of key stakeholders, stakeholder engagement, identification of valid course content, design access and agreement on methodological approach to be used during the teaching and learning process, compilation of issues to be addressed before they are presented, design of a working document that can guide who does what, coming up with a team to develop a framework for developing the curricular.
- Responses to a question on how partners can collaborate in development of case studies included: contribution of knowledge to case study development, establishment of linkages with the community, identification of research gaps, sharing of available resources in public domain, documentation of intellectual property rights, collaboration in teaching and training of students, provision of internship opportunities, giving notifications for advance preparation.
During the presentations, stakeholders indicated the readiness to partner with Makerere University to contribute to the development of case studies and content production for lectures and community outreach.
Closing the kick off workshop, Prof. Tabuti conveyed his gratitude to Makerere University management for supporting the project. He acknowledged Ms Ritah Namisango, the Principal Public Relations Officer of Makerere University for moderating the workshop. He thanked Dr. Dorothy Nampanziira, Ms Ritah Namisango, Ms Aziidah Namatovu and Dr. Godfrey Mayende for the excellent coordination of activities leading to the successful hosting of the workshop. He also thanked the physical and online participants for actively contributing to the stakeholders’ workshop.
Agriculture & Environment
RUFORUM 19th AGM Urges Africa to Take the Lead on Climate Action
Published
2 weeks agoon
November 24, 2023By
Mak Editor
By Agaba Issa Mugabo
As the impacts of climate change are increasingly being felt across Africa, the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) has reminded African Governments that their climate commitments are key to preserving the continent’s unique natural resources.
The appeal was made on 1st November 2023 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where higher education leaders, researchers, policy makers, development partners, students, farmers, among others from across the African continent and the world gathered to discuss and lay strategies to transform agricultural higher education to contribute to Africa’s development.
In line with thematic areas of the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting (AGM), the “Accelerating and Scaling-Up Africa’s Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Actions: Experiences and Lessons” side-event was held. The side-event provided a platform for participants to share experiences and lessons learned from initiatives such as; Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa project (AICCRA), the Global Research Alliance for Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) and Responsible Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action in Africa (RAINCA). It served as a unifying platform where participants collectively envisioned a future characterized by integration and harmony of solutions.
Furthermore, the side-event emphasized the urgent need for swift and coordinated action to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate. The event featured discussions aimed at fostering efficiency, collaboration, and idea-sharing across various tracks.
Africa by virtue of its overreliance on rain-fed agriculture is vulnerable to climate change impacts. Predictions show that global warming of 1.5°C or 2.0°C, a now more than likely scenario, will shorten crop growth duration, aggravate droughts, and consequently reduce yield for major staple cereals.
Climate change adaptation is therefore necessary to reduce the likely impacts on agricultural productivity. Furthermore, mitigation actions are required to reduce on greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration.
In addition to sharing lessons and experiences, the side-event provided a forum to address challenges in accelerating and scaling up Africa’s climate change adaptation and mitigation actions.

Speakers and discussants emphasized the vital role of climate finance in unlocking Africa’s green energy potential and fostering climate-resilient development, with a call on African governments to allocate more financial resources to address climate challenges effectively.
Dr. Florence Nakayiwa Mayega, the Deputy Executive Secretary of RUFORUM, welcomed the attendees with a powerful message. “Africa can play a bigger role in climate change mitigation” she said, urging that “Governments and their people must mitigate climate change while preparing for climate change”.
The Deputy Executive Secretary said that the main objective of the side event was to explore how universities can play an active role in addressing climate change issues. She added that universities should therefore take keen interest in the climate change initiatives RUFORUM is engaged in.
“Under the AICCRA programme, RUFORUM has developed curricula for enhancing the use of validated climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and/or the climate information services (CIS) knowledge products developed by the CGIAR Centres and other research institutions” added Dr. Nakayiwa Mayega.
The modules and other technologies, practices and innovations developed under the AICCRA programme were showcased at the side-event. The meeting also explored avenues for mainstreaming CSA/CIS into university activities including university curricula, research and outreach.

Dr. Robert Zougmore the AICCRA West Africa Cluster Lead delivered the keynote address on Accelerating and scaling-up Africa’s climate change adaptation and mitigation actions: Experiences and lessons learned from AICCRA. He reported that AICCRA which started in 2012 has reached three million smallholder farmers in six countries including: Senegal, Ghana, Mali, Ethiopia, Kenya and Zambia. This, he said, had been achieved through a number of regional initiatives that complement national activities to deliver benefits for a broader range of stakeholders across East, West and Southern Africa.
“Africa, like other regions, has come to terms with the reality that climate change is already happening. The continent now knows that if left untamed, Africa’s economies, livelihoods and nature will be hit by severe climate-induced pressure,” said Dr. Zougmore.
“AICCRA has 45 packages that support millions of smallholder farmers across Africa to access and use proven innovations in climate information services and climate-smart agriculture,” he said.
Dr. Zougmore added that AICCRA believes that with better access to innovative technology and advisory services—linked to information about effective response measures—farmers are enabled to better anticipate climate events and take preventative action that helps their communities safeguard livelihoods and the environment.
He also said that close to 80 partner organisations across Africa are using AICCRA technologies to help farmers and ten agriculture data (Agdata) hubs have been established with the aim of transforming agriculture decisions in Africa. The hubs integrate data from multiple sources to help farmers make informed decisions about what crops or varieties to plant in a given location and when to sow them.

Addressing the audience on “Championing a transformative mode of Climate Change Action in Africa”, Dr. Ackim Mwape, from the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) called for the continent’s increased determination to accelerate action on adaptation and finance in order to deliver climate justice that Africa deserves.
Dr. Mwape said that there is need to inject more financial resources in climate action solutions in Africa to ensure that communities can bolster their climate resilience. “Only USD 30 billion in climate financing flows into Africa annually, which is only 11% of the climate financing needs estimated at USD 280 billion a year,” he said.
He said that governments, the private sector, multilaterals and development partners need to do more to help close the climate financing gap on the continent that is not only the hardest hit by climate change but also sleepwalking into a potential catastrophe. Dr. Mwape added that the ongoing initiatives by international partners are still a drop in the ocean compared to financial resources needed to protect the most vulnerable.
He concluded by adding that failure to act now, not only exacerbates immediate risks but also threatens long-term resilience and contributes to social inequality and political instability. He reiterated that access to adequate financial resources is crucial for climate change adaptation and developed countries are expected to scale up climate finance for developing countries with a balanced allocation between adaptation and mitigation.

Discussing Climate Information Services (CIS) Curriculum Development and Research: Experiences from International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI), James Hansen a Senior Research Scientist at IRI, said that Africa requires climate information services that effectively meet African farmers’ decision-making needs in a variable and changing climate.
He said that well-functioning weather and climate information services can save lives and livelihoods. He added that in order for African communities and businesses to adapt more effectively to the inevitable impacts of climate change, CIS must be strengthened as comprehensively as possible.
Prof. Hansen however acknowledged that uptake and use of CIS in Africa is influenced by many factors including the lack of reliable historical observations, coarse scale of future climate projections, and weakly coordinated CIS delivery, among others.
Participants were urged to mitigate the effects of climate-related weather events and manage residual risks through participatory planning and comprehensive service delivery.
The side event concluded with a resounding message to the effect that: Africa is not just a continent facing climate impacts; it is a continent poised to lead the world in climate solutions.
During the same event, the GRA-RUFORUM Alumni Network in Africa was launched.
RUFORUM convenings are held annually and rotationally in countries where its member universities are based.
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