Learning agroecology in the field: NORPART-EAT students put theory into practice

• Background

  There is a need for a new generation of researchers to engage more in practice-based learning in agricultural contexts in sub-Saharan Africa and co-produce knowledge with local counterparts and smallholder farmers.

  Through higher education, this project aims to foster a learning environment for Tanzanian and Norwegian students involving farmers as co-producers of knowledge that can lead to innovative approaches to food security and community empowerment and contribute to achieving the SDGs.

  High-input agriculture in Tanzania has, as elsewhere, had adverse consequences such as land and resource degradation. Such farming techniques have been promoted by agricultural extension services, alongside higher education institutions.

  Recently, agroecology is seen as a promising approach to increase the sustainability of agriculture and food systems. The Government of Tanzania has established an Agroecology Unit and launched the National Ecological Organic Agriculture Strategy in 2023. Agroecology provides a framework where ecological theory can be applied to the management of agroecosystems according to specific resource and socio-economic realities. In evaluating agricultural practices, it allows for considering environmental sustainability, food security, economic viability, resource conservation, social equity, as well as increased productivity and production. It creates opportunities for finding solutions that integrate local agricultural practices and knowledge with modern inputs, for a gradual transition toward a more robust food production system.

• Objectives

  • To establish and strengthen long-term partnerships in higher education between the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), and Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) by promoting sustainable North-South-South cooperation involving universities and practitioner organizations in Norway and Tanzania.
  • To improve the quality and relevance of higher education in Norway and Tanzania focused on an agroecological approach to food security by promoting co-creation of knowledge through involvement of farmer groups, students, practitioners, and researchers.
  • To anchor education with practice by developing better inter-linkages between partner universities and practicing/community organizations in Tanzania and Norway through internships.
  • To facilitate student and staff mobility between the partner institutions for collaborative learning and research.
  • To promote gender equality and inclusion of marginalized communities and women farmers in higher education, research and co-creation of knowledge.
• Field course

  An outcome of the project is the establishment of the field course Environment, Development and Climate Change in Tanzania, offered at Tanzania's Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). The course focuses on agroecology and sustainability, community-driven development, and participatory learning with Tanzanian farmers. Priorities of the course:

  • Students are able to describe/explain how an institution or an organization functions, how extension work may be organized and to evaluate its impacts.
  • Students are able to design and deliver a standard deliverable in both the professional and academic community, to adapt to a workplace and put theory into practice with transferrable skills, identify a research question, and write a literature review.
  • The course will be made sustainable using the following measures: The joint internship course is based on taking elements from existing courses at SUA and NMBU. The courses will continue beyond the project period, with a stronger basis for conducting meaningful student placements from NMBU and SUA in partnership with practitioners in Tanzania such as SAT.
• Participants

  Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)

  Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)

  

  Kallunde Pilly Sibuga

  Professor

  • Soil fertility
  • Sustainable agriculture
  • Crop production
  • Organic farming
  • Weed management

  

  Paul Kusolwa

  Professor

  • Biotechnology
  • Horticulture
  • Protein Chemistry
  • Biochemistry

  

  Dismas Mwaseba

  Associate Professor

  • Agroecology
  • Farming regulation
  • Sustainable agricultural intensification
  • Extension and advisory services

  Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT)

  

  Kizito K Mwajombe

  • Sustainable agriculture
  • Agricultural development
  • Climate change agriculture
  • Crop production & management
  • Organic farming

  Antusa Massawe

  Programme Manager

  • Sustainable agriculture

Student Blog

Agroecology without borders

Reflections from NORPART-EAT Interns in Tanzania.

Living and learning at Sokoine University of Agriculture

NMBU students share their experiences of learning in the field, including participation in the NORPART-EAT conference.

Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania

Departmet of International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric), Norwegian University of Life Sciences

Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT)

Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills

The Research Council of Norway