In a quest to find solutions to production challenges chocking growth of smallholder farmers and agribusinesses in Malawi, Centre for Agricultural Transformation (CAT) and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) have signed a $13,500 (about K14.5 million) research grant to support six undergraduate students carry out research.
The grant secured from the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World through Agricultural Transformation Initiative covers one year of research activities by four male and two female students drawn from Luanar’s Bunda College who were selected through a competitive and rigorous process managed by both the university and CAT.
The package will enable the students to undertake specific tailor-designed research areas including investigating on the agronomic uniformity and genetic stability of CG11 groundnut variety, develop tissue culture protocols for rapid propagation of Sukari and Zeru local varieties of banana, evaluate and identify effective integrated pest management approaches for Soybeans, assess effect of sunken beds on yield of rain-fed and irrigated garlic, study the field establishment and agronomic performance of chia seeds, and evaluate the potential of used mushroom substrate as an organic fertilizer.
Speaking to YFM, CAT Executive Director Macleod Nkhoma said his institution is delighted to work with LUANAR towards supporting undergraduate research needs that have an impact on smallholder agricultural production as well as those that can provide solutions to production bottlenecks that players in the agribusiness face as they support farmers through various alternative value chains.
“This is a unique opportunity and CAT strongly believes this will further cement the existing partnership between CAT and LUANAR; but more importantly, it will generate evidence-based data that will eventually help these farmers enhance their agricultural productivity, increase income and ensure improve d livelihoods.
“Although this is a pilot phase targeting undergraduate students there is potential for expansion in near future to include other value chains and target groups who may want to research on challenges being faced by the agricultural sector,” Nkhoma said.
Luanar Deputy Vice Chancellor of Dr. Agnes Mwangwela could not hide her excitement by saying that the initiative will go a long way in building and strengthening undergraduate students’ capacity to conduct scientific research.
“The University deeply cherishes a practical partnership with the CAT that is cascading down to our students. Following this initial grant, we look forward to an expanded program that would accommodate more students and staff to conduct demand-driven and cutting-edge research for the agriculture industry,” Mwangwela said.
The research activities will be conducted at the CAT’s Smart Farms located within the precincts of Luanar’s Bunda and NRC Campuses with regular visits to selected agribusinesses in Lilongwe based on individual production challenges they face while working with smallholder farmers.
