Regional PhD Programmes

PhD in Agriculture and Resource Economics hosted by Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi, Malawi. In sub-Saharan Africa, both hunger and poverty have been the major problem faced by the people and governments. The consequences of these problems are natural disorder, high human mortality, and environmental degradation, among others. Government policies in the region are aimed at ending hunger and creating wealth among the masses through increased food production, promotion of entrepreneurship and commercialization of agriculture and creating an enabling environment. However, even if development capital is made available, the key element is availability of qualified human resource that can undertake activities that will provide solutions to many of the problems faced by the region. These can only be achieved by empowering the people through education and training and therefore, capacity building in all sectors of the economy in the region is paramount. Please visit the hosting institution by clicking here.

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PhD in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science hosted by Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi, Malawi. Globally and regionally, one of the most important natural resources is fish. Fish is food of excellent nutritional value, and it makes a very significant contribution to the balanced diet of many fish-consuming communities. Worldwide, about one billion people rely on fish as their main source of animal protein, both in coastal and inland areas. About 20% of the world’s population derives at least 20% of its animal protein from fish, and in some states, fish contributes over 50% of total animal proteins in the diets of their inhabitants. Aquaculture and fisheries production are also major contributors to national economies. For example, in the Asia-Pacific region capture fisheries contribute more than 10% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In sub-Saharan Africa, capture fisheries is also important contributing on average of 4% to GDP. There is however, a general decline in capture fisheries the world over, but more so sub-Saharan Africa. To supplement the declining production of fish from capture fisheries, governments in sub-Saharan Africa have embarked on developing aquaculture at both smallholder and commercial levels. In southern Africa, Malawi has been mandated to co-ordinate the Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Sectors of the region. To implement this, a state-of-the-art research and training facility was established at Bunda College in Lilongwe in 1999. Please visit the hosting institution by clicking here.

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PhD in Dryland Resource Management hosted by University of Nairobi, Kenya.
In the context of eastern and southern Africa (ESA)  drylands, there is felt need to focus strategic interventions on Research for Development (R4D) that enhances security of livelihoods. RUFORUM faces the challenge of sustainable dryland resources management in the ESA region and the need to build capacity for capacity building in dryland Africa. These are areas with great potential for economic development, reduction of hunger and poverty. The interventions must take into account the plasticity associated with highly variable ecosystems and will require multi-partner inteventions to elucidate and address various interactions within ecosystems as a whole. The focus is cross-sectoral and requires partners to actively engage with end-users in an innovation process. It is with this mental framework that the PhD programme in dryland resource management was developed. The programme will provide a platform through which the needed knowledge management is a key thrust in working with affected communities to create sustainable change in dryland farming systems in the ESA region and beyond. The programme opened doors to the first group of eighteen (18) students, from seven (7) countries. The next intake targets the last quarter of 2010. Please visit the hosting institution by clicking here.

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PhD in Plant breeding and Biotechnology hosted by Makerere University, Uganda.
Investing in plant breeding is a matter of urgency because of the diverse needs of the Africa’s farming community and persistent poverty and food insecurity. A recent survey by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) as well National Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) all advocate for increased development and use of science and technology to address the continent’s persistent hunger and poverty. At global level, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has conducted similar studies which all point to the very limited capacity of especially high level trained plant breeders particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This has lead to limited variety releases and general weakened innovations systems which are critical for enhancing productivity to address food insecurity and livelihood issues. Please visit the hosting institution by clicking here.

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PhD in Soil and Water Management hosted by Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania. Agriculture is the main driver of economic development and livelihoods for most African countries.  The overarching framework guiding agricultural development in Africa is the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programmes (CAADP). CAADP pillar 1 (Water and Land Resource Management) and pillar 4 (Agricultural Research, Technology Dissemination and Adoption) place emphasis on natural resource management and agricultural training. In 2008, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) meeting with ministers of agriculture and CAADP platform identified capacity building to support sustainable natural resource management in the areas of forestry, soils, water and land use as a priority investment area. Accordingly, to support the process, RUFORUM launched a PhD in Soil and Water Management at Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania. Please visit the hosting institution by clicking here.