Marshal Papworth scholars measure the impact of their studies one year on!
After completing the Marshal Papworth Fund’s 10-week scholarship course in sustainable agriculture at Harper Adams University, England, in 2022, the seven lead farmers and agricultural extension workers from across Africa have begun to measure the impact of their scholarship on the communities that they returned to.
In Ghana, Ahassan Abdul-Rahaman is working for ADRA Ghana on a project with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), to help refugees from Burkina Faso find a new livelihood in guinea fowl production. Working with three youth groups (over 90 attendees) and a further 100 refugees, Ahassan said: “My main objective on leaving Harper Adams University was to promote guinea fowl production in northern Ghana by reducing mortality in guinea fowl keets (chicks), and to promote this as an alternative livelihood for poor farmer households and thereby boost their nutrition and income. In line with my project objectives, the ADRA decided to put me on the livelihood project to provide this service to the refugees who needed this knowledge even more because they have no source of livelihood at all.”
He continued: “With more knowledge and skills, I am multitasking personnel in the field; the 10-week programme really helped build my confidence in interacting with colleagues and also improve my knowledge and skills in agricultural activities to then roll those out in the community.”
Also working with ADRA Ghana on the UNHCR’s project, Koduah Sampson explained more on how some of the intricacies of his studies at Harper Adams University with the Marshal Papworth Fund have directly impacted his work. “My main duty is to train refugees on both crop production and livestock production. Having completed the 10-week training programme, I strategically used a group dynamics training approach, where farmers were sensitized on group formation activities. As an agriculture officer in charge of both crops and animal management, and with the knowledge gained on integrated pest management during the short course, I am able to sensitize and demonstrate to farmers the use of both biological (the use of neem extracts) and natural enemies (the use of parasitoids) to control pest and diseases with the chemical approach being the least to recommend.”
Sampson training farmers on the preparation of organic pesticides
In Kenya, Everlyne Mamai, a peer farmer trainer with Ripple Effect, has reported how she has used her Marshal Papworth scholarship to facilitate the empowerment of women in her region. She said: “Reflecting on the 10-week training programme facilitated by Marshal Papworth, I can confidently assert that it has significantly enhanced my ability to execute my project. The program has been instrumental in refining my facilitation skills, allowing me to effectively convey complex agricultural concepts to diverse audiences. Moreover, the networking opportunities provided during the training have enabled me to establish valuable connections within the agricultural community, fostering collaboration and the exchange of innovative ideas.”
Everlyne in the field with some of her farming group members
Working with over 320 farmers in Malawi, George Mbale, a Water Sanitation and Hygiene Project Officer with Self Help Africa, said: “The increased skills for community facilitation from my time on the scholarship helped me to organise the groups with ease, increased knowledge on soil compaction will help in the smooth running of my current project until the objectives are met. Knowledge in crop pests and diseases will help in monitoring the research trials and be able to deal with such issues which might affect the results.”
Managed be the East of England Agricultural Society, the Marshal Papworth Fund has forged partnerships with charities based in country, to enable the selection of students most likely to roll those new sustainable agriculture learnings out successfully in their communities, and thereby positively impact the most lives. Those charities worked with include ADRA Ghana, Hands Around The World, Leprosy Mission, Ripple Effect, Self Help Africa, Teyapi4Peace and Tree Aid.
Marshal Papworth Fund coordinator, Sandra Lauridsen, said: “It is always amazing to hear from our students, and see the impact of their scholarships, even after just 12 months. The 2022 short course scholars have already rolled out the projects they developed whilst on our course at Harper Adams University, and it’s clear from their reports that thousands of lives have already begun to be positively impacted through sharing this sustainable agriculture knowledge. Thank you to all our students for the work you have done so far to help your communities in growing out of hunger.”
The Marshal Papworth Fund provides scholarships for students from developing countries, including year-long Masters MSc scholarships to leading UK agricultural universities and colleges, and this bespoke 10-week short course, developed with Harper Adams University. The Fund has just welcomed its 250th student to be educated at UK agricultural universities as part of the Marshal Papworth Fund scholarship schemes.
To find out more about supporting the Marshal Papworth Fund, please contact Sandra Lauridsen on 01733 961024 or email slauridsen@eastofengland.org.uk for more information. You can also visit our new website at www.marshalpapworth.com
