CEGFSD Newsletter Fall 2024

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GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY AND DEFENSE QUART ERLY THE 1890 UNIVERSITIES CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY AND DEFENSE

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WHAT WE DO

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The Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense (CEGFSD) funds teaching, research, extension and integrated projects designed to supply the country with a globally educated workforce and addresses critical needs in global food security and defense. CEGFSD fosters international partnerships that:

FALL 2024 IN THIS ISSUE

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What We Do

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The Center’s Partners

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Message from the Director

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Where We Work

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Addressing Current and Emerging Threats to Mango Production by Small Farmers in Kitui County, Kenya

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University of Maryland Eastern Shore signs a MOU with the University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

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CEGFSD Side Event at the World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue

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University of Arkansas Pine Bluff: Successfully Implements Pilot Study Abroad Programs in FANRHS Degree Areas

Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

• Strengthen agricultural development in developing countries.

• Engage international researchers in addressing new and emerging pests and diseases in animals and plants.

• Engage in agricultural disaster recovery.

• Continue activities carried out by the 1890 Universities Center of Excellence for International Engagement and Development.

The CEIED activities include six projects funded under global education and six others on global food and nutrition security.

CEGFSD relies heavily on its international and domestic partners to achieve these broad goals. The CEGFSD’s partners include the nineteen 1890 landgrant universities, the 1890 Universities Foundation and many international public and private sector partners. The Center is one of six centers of excellence at 1890 universities identified in the U.S. Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The Center is supported with funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. It is hosted by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and brings together all nineteen 1890 universities.

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WHERE WE WORK

THE CENTERS PARTNERS

Latin America and Caribbean

West Africa

Belize Colombia Costa Rica Dominica Guatemala Guyana Honduras Jamaica

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear CEGFSD Stakeholders, Greetings from the Center!

The past year has been very eventful. In the fall of 2023 the Center organized the third annual CEGFSD Advisory Council meeting and a Side Event at the World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue held in Des Moines, Iowa. During the event Dr. Mortimer Neufville was formally recognized for his contributions to the creation and sustainability of the 1890 Universities Foundation.

This edition features a few activities in the international space with our partners, including the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology’s effort to address current and emerging threats to mango production by small farmers in Kitui County, Kenya; the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and the University of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; and a successful implementation of several international experiential learning activities in Ghana and Kenya by the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. The Center remains steadfastly focused on moving the dial on important issues around the global food and nutritional security.

We thank you for taking time to review some of our activities.

– Moses T. Kairo, Ph.D., DIC

Côte d’Ivoire Ghana Liberia Gambia Senegal

East Africa

D.R. of Congo Kenya Rwanda Tanzania Uganda

ADDRESSING CURRENT AND EMERGING THREATS TO MANGO PRODUCTION FOR SMALL FARMERS IN KITUI COUNTY, KENYA

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ango (Mangifera indica L.) is Kenya’s second most important fruit after banana, accounting for 31.05% and 19.24% respectively (HCD, 2020). In 2020, there was an increase in the area under mango production from 56,090ha to 63,437ha, representing a 13 percent increase, while production dropped by 10 percent (91,006 tons) compared to 2019.

The leading counties in mango production in 2019 ranked by value were Makueni, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale and Meru, which accounted for 67.3% of the value combined. Kitui County also produces mangoes.

monitoring current and any new emerging diseases and pests to mango crops in the County of Kitui.”, said Dr. Everlyn Okoth of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.

The trainees were drawn from different relevant sectors of the mango value chain and the county government. They were selected based on age, for which 95% were younger than age 35 to take the youth aspect into consideration. (continued)

Despite the overall increase, small-scale mango farmers encounter many challenges including mango fruit flies, weevils, rust and poor-quality planting material (HCD, 2020).

“Given the production challenges facing the smallscale mango farmers, we intend to identify pre- and post-harvest problems that small-scale farmers face in Kitui County, Kenya. To achieve this, specific activities were carried out, which included training farmers on pest/disease surveillance as a digital tool and rather a new tool in technology space for

Field practical on disease and pests scouting exercise by PlantVillage Nuru.

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UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SIGNS MOU WITH UNIVERSITY OF KINSHASA

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r. Eustashe Banza, a University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN) professor and vice president for Academic Affairs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, visited the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on Sept, 20, 2023, to promote partnerships between the universities.

Posing for a photo with their trainers, participants learned about current and emerging threats to the mango crop in Kitui County, Kenya, during a session June 19-23, 2024.

“I am to concretize the dream...

I hope that the partnership with UMES-UNIKIN will flourish.”

- Dr. Eustashe Banza VP, Academic Affairs, University of Kinshasa

UMES has collaborated with UNIKIN on projects funded by the 1890 Universities Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense (CEGFSD) and the Current and Emerging Threats to Crops Innovation Lab. These projects include capacity building for the UNIKIN experimental station’s personnel, training for UNIKIN Agronomy students, and the extension program involving women’s training on the cassava value chain.

articulation agreement leading to concrete actions,” Allen said. “I am very much encouraged by what has already been accomplished by both institutions, UMES and UNIKIN. I am indeed more optimistic about what will be accomplished.”

Dr. Moses T. Kairo, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences dean and CEGFSD director, acknowledged the great contribution of CEGFSD, which funded most projects implemented at UNIKIN. Training households on cassava value chains, especially using cassava flour in bread making, pancakes, and doughnuts, is crucial for responding to local problems with local solutions. UMES and UNIKIN faculty may find it rewarding to engage in mutually collaborative research opportunities as well as engage students from both institutions in global food security and student workforce development.

Given the various activities already implemented

by UMES faculty at UNIKIN, it was imperative to formalize this partnership with the signing of an MOU between the two institutions.

They represented the Kitui cooperatives (6 No.), the front-line extension officer, two county government representatives, the cooperative contact and organizing youth. Two student assistants, camera personnel and four trainers on selected topics in line with challenges, quality and standard certification of the mango products were also represented.

Banza acknowledged the great work being accomplished by UMES and UNIKIN. “I am to concretize the dream,” Banza said of the formalization of this relationship. “I hope that the partnership with UMES-UNIKIN will flourish.”

Allen recognized the significance of the MOU. Field practical on disease and pests scouting exercise by PlantVillage Nuru.

Funded in part by the 1890 Universities Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense (CEGFSD), the impact of this project has been an increase in farmers’ knowledge and management of emerging mango pests and diseases. Twenty stakeholders (researchers, farmers, county officials and the entomologist) were trained on the PlantVillage Nuru application using mart technologies (cellphone apps) to survey and record mango diseases. This brought an increased adoption of mango fruit flies integrated pest management, and other pests and diseases in selected sites of Kitui County through training by entomologists and other experts using appropriate technologies. ///

Trainees implement the skills learned in scouting pests and diseases in the field.

The MOU was signed after several activities at UMES, including visits to UMES facilities such as the Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences labs. While at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Banza learned of various projects under the leadership of Dr. Pamela Allison and their impact on fostering innovations in the community. At the CEGFSD office, he learned how the Center manages international portfolios across the 1890 land-grant institutions. At the Experimental Station, Banza saw in real time how corn harvesting is done using a sophisticated combine owned by UMES. Finally, at UMES Extension, Dr. Nadine Burton introduced various aspects of the specialty crops program to Banza, ranging from the production of non-native vegetables to processing and value addition to marketing of these products on the Delmarva Peninsula and in Washington, D.C., area. ///

“UMES does not sign MOUs that collect dust in the drawers but rather MOUs that are followed by an

UNIKIN Vice President Eutashe Banza, seated left, and UMES’ Dr. Rondall Allen, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, seated right, sign an MOU on Sept. 20, 2023. UMES president’s cabinet members, Dean Mose T. Kairo, and School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences faculty were in attendance.

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CEGFSD HOSTS SIDE EVENT AT WORLD FOOD PRIZE NORMAN E. BORLAUG INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE

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he CEGFSD conducted its third annual Advisory Council meeting on the sidelines of the World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue on Oct. 25, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. This annual meeting was centered around the best management and operation of the Center. Questions posed included steps needed for scaling up ongoing Center projects, necessary strategies for engaging large donors and global food security stakeholders, the Center’s handling of international trade policy relevant to the U.S. imports and exports with the Rest of the World, building linkages with other 1890 Universities Centers of Excellence and the Center’s overall engagement in policy on the global food security stage.

“In recognition and gratitude for your unwavering, lifetime dedication and leadership within the 1890 community. Your work has changed the lives of multitudes of people for the better, and the world is definitely a better place because of you. Awarded October 25, 2023.”

Sylvia Megret, ACDI/VOCA CEO and AC president, presided over the Advisory Council meeting.

Following the annual meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, CEGFSD participated in the side event organized by the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue on Oct. 26, 2023.

Harnessing 1890 land-grant universities’ capacity to deliver food security solutions and a workforce of the future was the theme of the side event. As a new Center, CEGFSD synergizes the collective capacity across nineteen 1890 land-grant universities to address critical global food and nutrition security

The Center also recognized the contribution of Dr. Mortimer Neufville, CEO of the 1890 Universities Foundation, as the foundation founder and supporter of CEGFSD. His award read:

World Food Prize Side Event was hosted by CEGFSD and moderated by Dr. Moses T. Kairo in October 2023. Distinguished panelists, from left, are Drs. Antonio McLaren, Olga Bolden-Tiller, Manjit Misra and Douglas Steele.

issues while developing a future workforce. CEGFSD is keen to engage other players in this space and establish/grow collaborative partnerships to address these issues. The side event provided an opportunity for the Center to engage key players in the global food security space with the participation of the 1890 land-grant universities’ partners.

The invited speakers for the side event were Dr. Manjit Misra, director, Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA; Dr. Douglas Steele, vice president, Food, Agriculture & Natural Resources, APLU; Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller, dean, College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences; and Dr. Antonio McLaren, vice president for programs 1890 Universities Foundation. Dr. Moses T. Kairo, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences dean and CEGFSD director at UMES, moderated the session. ///

Participants who attended the side event learned and understood the priority areas of interest and capacity within the 1890 land-grant universities to carry out food and nutritional security work. Despite the early schedule, this event was well attended with overflow seating. Participants established linkages with 1890 land-grant university scientists, leading to enduring collaborative partnerships.

Dr. Mortimer Neufville was recognized by the 1890 Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense in October 2023. From left: Dr. Alton Thompson, Dr. Antonio McLaren, Katrena Hanks, Sylvia Megret, Quintin Gray, Dr. Moses T. Kairo and Dr. Stephan Tubene.

The session identified and discussed the most critical food and nutritional security challenges in teaching, research and extension, to which the 1890 universities, through CEGFSD and their partners, could make a substantial contribution. Participants also discussed the imperatives for successful engagement and articulated specific short- and medium-term actionable goals.

World Food Prize Side Event was hosted by CEGFSD.

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THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTS PILOT STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS IN FANRHS DEGREE AREAS

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unding through the 1890 Center of Excellence in International Engagement and Development enabled the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) to conduct three signature study abroad programs for students pursuing degrees in agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, and human sciences at 1890 land-grant institutions.

“The poultry farm activity opened the students’ eyes and put things into perspective for them,” he said. “Because they were sorting eggs manually, they better understood how quickly egg-sorting machines in the U.S. work.”

Ghana’s Aquaculture/Fisheries Experiential Learning Extension Success Story

contexts,” said Dr. Pamela D. Moore, associate dean for global engagement at the UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences.

During another two-week program in Ghana, and through a long-standing partnership with Valley View University, 1890 land-grant universities’ faculty and students in aquaculture/fisheries designed and conducted a three-day extension training program for VVU faculty, staff, students, farmers and extension personnel.

Hands-on agriculture education in Ghana A two-week study abroad program led by Dr. Emmanuel Asiamah, assistant professor of animal science, allowed four UAPB, North Carolina A&T University and Tennessee State University students to learn about tropical agriculture and familiarize themselves with Ghana’s history, culture and people.

“Through the programs implemented, faculty and staff we’re able to design innovative programs that enabled students to apply knowledge and skills gained through classroom experience in global

Under the leadership of Dr. Dayan Perera, extension aquaculture specialist, the program included the participation of Dr. Rebecca Lochmann, professor of aquaculture and fisheries, and Dr. Gulnihal Ozbay, Delaware State University professor and Extension

Dr. Dayan Perera poses with Ben Amuah, a student at Valley View University, who started a fish farming business after attending an initial workshop organized by Perera in 2021.

Asiamah was accompanied by Dr. Nina Lyon Bennett, professor and assistant dean for academics for the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, and Annette Fields, interim director of the Carolyn F. Blakely Honors Program and doctoral student in aquaculture/fisheries. The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) designed and implemented the program.

“While in Ghana, our participants had the chance to engage in several hands-on agriculture-related activities,” Asiamah said. “They joined KNUST students in the field to learn about maize breeding, visited a catfish farm, learned a little about the business side of agriculture and even saw how palm weevil insects are being farmed for value-added food products.”

From left: Dr. Benjamin Annor, Annette Fields, Lyric Armstrong, Jeremiah Pouncy, Jai Lewis, Drs. Nina Lyon B. and Emmanuel Asiamah, and Allison Malone during the UAPB study abroad program in Ghana. Here they visit Bonwire Kente Village, which produces handwoven cloth.

During a visit to a poultry farm, students learned how to sort chicken eggs without using machinery, gaining insight into the differences between highand low-tech farm production.

Hannah Knuckles, a UAPB master’s student in aquaculture/fisheries speaks during workshop sessions at Valley View University, Techimon,Ghana.

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Conducted under the leadership of Dr. Jane Opiri, assistant professor of merchandising, textiles, and design, the program also included the participation of Dr. Suzette Goldmon, assistant professor of hospitality and tourism management, and Dr. Karleah Harris, assistant professor of human development and family studies. Opiri, originally from Kenya, organized the study abroad program in conjunction with her alma mater, Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya.

Several program activities were directly related to the participants’ educational tracks at UAPB. For example, they received first-hand training in merchandising, textiles and design during a tour of the Kitui County Textile Center. During a meeting with a rising Kenyan fashion entrepreneur, they learned the ins and outs of fashion design and even worked with a tailor to design their own garments.

Before embarking on a safari tour, they were taught about tourism management in Kenya.

“The idea of this program was to allow our students to compare the American and Kenyan cultures and develop their professional skills,” Opiri said.

“Over the course of the program, through volunteer work, they had the opportunity to enhance their teamwork and empathetic skills. They returned from the trip with a greater cultural intelligence and understanding of responsible citizenship.”

The students also volunteered at a home for orphans and vulnerable children in Kayole, Kenya, where led educational games and activities for the children.

Five students participated in the program, including one from Tennessee State University. ///

Dr. Jane Opiri, Dr. Karleah Harris and students engage in an interactive learning exercise with children at an orphan and vulnerable children’s home in Keyole, Kenya.

specialist in natural resources. One UAPB graduate student and three students from DSU benefitted from Ghana’s experiential and cultural learning activities.

workshops on aquaponics, the combined farming of fish and plants. At the time, the participants could not produce fish because of problems with aeration and a lack of air pumps, so he showed them ways to construct simple but efficient aeration systems.

When he returned to Ghana this summer to work with the same people, Perera was impressed to see their progress.

“This program had two overarching goals,” Perera said. “First, we wanted to provide educational training in aquaculture and fisheries to students and staff at Valley View University. Secondly, we wanted to train our students to become teachers through experiential learning.

Community service and experiential learning empowers human science students in Kenya

“This was an opportunity for them to learn how to interact with another culture and gain a global perspective they can incorporate in their ongoing teaching, research and extension activities,” he said.

Through a 10-day intensive community service and experiential learning program in Kenya, human science students from UAPB and Tennessee State University gained cross-cultural insights. They were empowered to apply classroom theory to reallife situations.

Perera worked with Valley View University faculty and students two years ago when he conducted

At Bombolulu Crafts Center are, standing from left, Dr. Karleah Harris, David Opiri, Dr. Jane Opiri, Justin Thomasson, Michelle Mayuka (Kenyatta University , Dr. Mildred Nawiri (Kenyatta University), Dr. Suzette Goldmon, Trenay Hayes, Jain Lewis (Tennessee State University) and Havilland Ford.

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CEGFSD STAFF

Director

Moses T. Kairo, Ph.D. DIC Professor and Dean

Associate Director

Stephan Tubene, Ph.D. Professor and Chair

Assistant Director

Maricelle Saullo, MBA, M.Ed.

Carlos Cruz Program Coordinator

Contact us: email: cegfsd@umes.edu Kiah Hall, Room 1104, Suite 1502 University Blvd. S. Princess Anne, Md. 21853 ph: 410-651-6740 www.umes.edu/sans/ncoe/cegfsd/ This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions. CEIED Award 2020-38427-31514 and CEGFSD Award 2021-38427-34838.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). For inquiries regarding the application of Federal laws and nondiscrimination policies to University programs and activities, contact: titleix@umes.edu. UMES is an EEO/AA employer. For specific accommodations, contact: ADA@umes.edu.

The CEGFSD Newsletter is published by the Office of Agricultural Communications. agcomm@umes.edu | 410-651-6084

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