International Division News for August 2019 enews · 2019-08-29 · International Division News for...
Transcript of International Division News for August 2019 enews · 2019-08-29 · International Division News for...
International Division News for August 2019 enews
International work could engender discovery-based research
As of the writing of this column, the contributing author and I are both on international assignments. In this column, you will notice there are several
opportunities to engage in international horticulture work with both small farm holders and large scale farmers. In addition to the diversity of scale,
international work is spread across a variety of themes. However, the engagement in international work will spawn new horticultural issues that
will need to be addressed. These new issues can be fertile grounds for discovery-based research that could involve collaborations with our
international horticulture partners.
International Opportunities for Horticulturists
Paid and Volunteer Opportunities
Partners of the Americas has an urgent request for a volunteer IPM &
Plant Disease Management Specialist for a project in Guyana. Because
most shadehouses in Guyana are open and easy to enter, producers find it
difficult to control pests and diseases, especially during the rainy season. An
F2F volunteer is requested to train shadehouse producers on how to identify
specific insect pest affecting vegetables and make the necessary
recommendation(s) to limit crop damage. It is expected that at the end of
this assignment, the hosts will be able to identify common insect pests that
affect vegetables in their shadehouses and implement environmentally
sustainable strategies to reduce damage. This assignment contributes to
broader goals and objectives of the Horticulture Production and Marketing
project by improving the productivity and reducing the incidence of pest
damages. For more information, or to apply for this position, please contact
Kelly McNally at either [email protected] or at 202-524-6291.
FCG Sweden is the “new face” of the combined ORGUT and SIPU
International, representing more than 40 years of Swedish expertise in
international development. Building better livelihoods and developing regions
and countries has always been part of the vision of these organizations. FCG
Sweden is currently recruiting three (yes, 3) paid Junior experts (long
term) in horticulture value chain private sector development and
Cash Crops (Tea and Coffee) value chain private sector development
for an EU-funded Agri-Connect project in Tanzania. The overall objective of
the Programme “Agi-Connect: Supporting value chains for shared
prosperity” is to contribute to inclusive economic growth, promote private
sector development and job creation in the agricultural sector and to
increase food and nutrition security in Tanzania by promoting the
productivity, commercialization and competitiveness of the tea, coffee and
horticultural sectors. The Technical Assistance Team (TAT) will assist
primarily the Ministry of Agriculture in mainland, the Ministry of Agriculture,
Natural Resources, Livestock and Fisheries in Zanzibar and other relevant
national and local institutions and actors along the value chain to improve
the sector enablers and business environment for the tea, coffee and
horticulture value chains, within the framework of the respective agricultural
development strategies. In addition, the TAT will provide overall coordination
of the Agri-Connect programme components and will lead programme
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Initiatives. If this opportunity interests
you, please visit https://www.fcgsweden.se/work-with-us/76 for more
information or to apply.
NCBA CLUSA is currently seeking a qualified farmer-to-farmer
candidate for the position of Cooperative Governance Volunteer
Specialist to support Asociación Cooperativa de Producción y
Comercialización Agropecuaria El Limón (ACOELI) based in Morazán, El
Salvador. This budding cooperative has multiple greenhouses where they
grow tomato, cucumber, hot pepper, cabbage and cilantro. Members have
recognized that the cooperative’s biggest weaknesses are poor organization,
administrative problems and poor understanding of governance. The
Cooperative Governance Volunteer is expected to provide a training to the
ACOELI board of directors on governance skills related to board meeting
moderation, board member roles, decision-making, and by-laws
reinforcement. It is desired that the volunteer also trains the board members
on finances and planning. The National Cooperative Business Association
CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA) is the trade association for cooperative
businesses in the United States and an international development
organization. NCBA CLUSA provides cross-sector education, technical
assistance, and advocacy that helps co-ops thrive. For nearly 100 years,
NCBA CLUSA has sought to advance and protect cooperative enterprises,
highlighting the impact that cooperatives have in bettering the lives of
individuals and families. In the last 60 years, NCBA CLUSA has worked in
over 100 countries in the areas of food security, agricultural development,
strengthening of communities and farmer organizations, community-based
health, natural resources management, and empowerment of smallholder
farmers, women, and youth. The volunteer is expected to be in country for
two weeks. For more information about this opportunity, or to apply, please
visit https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/NCBACLUSA1/743999691911276-
farmer-to-farmer-f2f-cooperative-governance-volunteer
NCBA CLUSA is also currently seeking a qualified candidate for the
farmer-to-farmer position of Plant Propagation Volunteer Expert to
support Asociación de Mujeres Intibucanas Renovadas (AMIR), based in
Intibuca, Honduras. This organization, comprised of indigenous Lenca
women from the region have been successful in advocating women’s rights,
food safety, economic empowerment, leadership, as well as producing
organic fertilizers, processing fruits to create marmalades, sweets, etc. As
part of their economic empowerment objective, they want to teach their
members how to propagate vegetables, seed saving techniques, and good
agricultural practices in order to maximize profits. The selected candidate is
expected to train members on vegetative propagation methods, including
lowcost recommendations and techniques that are applicable in the
communities. Additionally. They will give advice on soil management, rescue
of native seeds and farming practices. This project will last from two to three
weeks in country. For more information or to apply for this opportunity,
please visit
https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/NCBACLUSA1/743999692209735-farmer-to-farmer-f2f-plant-propagation-expert
Sheladia Associates, Inc. is currently recruiting a Drip Irrigation
Engineer Consultant for an urban horticulture project in Afghanistan. The
Drip Irrigation Engineer is responsible for leading in the conduct of a
feasibility study for a pressurized drip irrigation supply system to peri-urban
high-value horticulture farmers. The concept is for the untreated water from
Dahla Dam delivered via gravity through a low-pressure pipeline that can be
laid alongside the planned urban water supply line. This would provide a
secure and highly efficient irrigation supply that will reduce disaster risk
exposure and improve food security. The delivery network would reach land
areas with suitable agricultural soils and conditions for high-value intensive
horticulture production, and the institutional arrangements will include
supply charges applied to recipients to ensure sustainable revenue for
operation and maintenance, and equitable valuation of water amongst
competing users. Sheladia Associates, Inc. is a minority-owned and operated
multidisciplinary consulting firm founded in 1974 and headquartered in the
metropolitan Washington DC area, with international offices located in
Afghanistan, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Pakistan, Philippines, and
Zambia. For more information about this and other opportunities with this
firm, please visit https://www.sheladia.com/careers/ or alternately, this
opportunity is also listed and applications are possible during Sept. 2019 on
devex.com/ job search keyword horticulture, select this opportunity from the
list provided.
Winrock International is looking for a volunteer Design and Fabrication of
Crop Dryer Expert for a farmer-to-farmer project in Ghana. The
Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Cape Coast requests
the support of a Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer for a 21-day volunteer
assignment located in Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana. The
volunteer will provide technical assistance to support staff of the Department
in the design and fabrication of a crop dryer, including solar dryer,
temperature-controlled dehydrator or biomass/fossil-fueled batch dryer for
drying fruits, vegetables and grains. It is expected that the crop dryer will be
built during the assignment timeframe. The volunteer will also work in
collaboration with the staff to prepare a training manual for the training of
farmers in the design, construction and operation of the crop dryer. As an
academic discipline, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, University
of Cape Coast trains students and farmers in the application of engineering
principles and practices to facilitate agricultural production and alleviate the
related drudgery. The department is currently engaged in research and
outreach activities to promote the postharvest processing of various crops to
reduce the high incidence of losses which lead to food insecurity. Crop drying
remains a problem among farmers in Ghana. Even though the farmers take
advantage of the high average temperatures to dry their crops at a low cost,
uncertainties about the weather, the slow drying rate, contamination of the
produce by extraneous materials and loss of nutrients due to direct exposure
to the sunshine limit the use of open sun drying on the floor. Furthermore,
the commercial drying of large quantities of produce require appropriate
drying infrastructure that are designed to suit the particular crops. Lack of
adequate drying of crops often expose them to weevil infestation and
contamination by mycotoxins during storage. Major crops grown are maize,
cassava, fruit and vegetables. The commercial drying of maize for example,
may require the use of a conventional batch dryer equipped with a heating
unit, a blower unit and a drying bed. Fruits and vegetables may be dried
with customized solar dryers and low temperature dehydrators equipped
with a temperature regulator. Sole or hybrid biomass-solar dryer systems
also offer advantage for the use of agricultural wastes to generate heat for
drying. In this assignment, the volunteer will assist the department to
design and fabricate the dryer for dissemination to the various crop farmers
in the Central Region of Ghana. For additional information or to apply for this
volunteer opportunity, please visit
https://www.winrock.org/join-us/volunteer/volunteer-
opportunities/?oid=c4c4d0f3-735c-4e70-8d11-067cf9991142 or contact
Jennifer Robinson at [email protected] | 501.280.3018.
Winrock International is also seeking a volunteer Trainer of Trainers
(TOT) on Maintenance of Agricultural Equipment for Vegetable
Production for a current opportunity in Senegal. The 18 day volunteer
assignment will be located in Sedhiou, Senegal. The volunteer
will provide Community Agricultural Areas Program PRODACs’[1] ,
DAC[2] of Séfa’s and Keur Momar Sarr’s staff training on maintenance of
agricultural equipment (plows, sprayers, rototillers, and tractors) for
vegetable production. One session will be held in Séfa, Sédhiou for the two
hosts. For more information about this assignment, please visit
https://www.winrock.org/join-us/volunteer/volunteer-
opportunities/?oid=04adb878-fbb0-4ac3-95df-267fa8ffa464 or contact
Selyna Buie at [email protected] | 501-280-3002.
Also for Senegal, CNFA is currently seeking a Farm and Post-
Harvest Production Consultant to support proposal development on the
upcoming USAID/Senegal Agricultural Value Chain Services for the rice,
maize, millet/sorghum and horticulture value chains. A key objective of the
future project will be to increase the targeted value chains’ productivity and
quality management system, including by reducing production costs and
post-harvest losses and supporting the adoption of higher quality standards.
For much more information about job duties and required qualifications for
this paid consultant position, please visit https://www.cnfa.org/job/farm-
and-post-harvest-production-consultant-senegal/
ACDI/VOCA is currently seeking a Food Drying Specialist for an
upcoming volunteer assignment in the Republic of Georgia (GEO-2014-024).
A small scale farmer is requesting volunteer assistance to learn best
practices in fruit and vegetable drying techniques. They currently grow
berries, plums, apples and vegetables such as carrots and tomatos. They are
also interested in developing a dehydrated soup mix to sell locally. The
assignment will last for approximately 3 weeks in country. For additional
information, please visit https://volunteeropportunities-
acdivoca.icims.com/jobs/5494/fruit-and-vegetable-drying-specialist%2c-
georgia/job.
ACDI/VOCA is also currently seeking a Walnut and Almond
Specialist for an upcoming volunteer assignment in the Republic of Georgia
(GEO-2014-025). The local association has requested volunteer assistance
to provide training on walnut and almond processing, including pre-cleaning,
hulling, shelling, kernel grading, blanching and skin separating. The
assignment will last for approximately 3 weeks in country. For more
information or to apply, please visit https://volunteeropportunities-
acdivoca.icims.com/jobs/5495/walnut-and-almond-processing-
specialist%2c-georgia/job.
ACDI/VOCA is recruiting a Tree Nut Orchard Specialist for an
upcoming volunteer assignment in Armenia (ARM-2014-005). The Armenia
Nut Orchard Project is requesting volunteer assistance to help them
establish nut orchards including walnut, hazelnut and almond trees. The
main objective of the assignment is to examine, analize and summarize
approaches and methodoligies for current orchard management and provide
recommendations for efficient planting and cultivation of nuts that would be
suitable to local conditions. The assignment will last for approximately 3
weeks in country. Please visit https://volunteeropportunities-
acdivoca.icims.com/jobs/5491/tree-nut-orchard-management%2c-
armenia/job for more information.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is looking for a volunteer Agribusiness
Marketing Specialist to do a market analysis of the Fruit subsector in
Uganda. Horticultural production is one of Uganda’ promising agricultural
sub-sectors with a growth rate of 20% per year (NDP, 2009). Fruits
contribute to a big share of Uganda’s non-traditional agricultural exports and
to the foreign exchange earnings. The major fruits produced include: Passion
fruit, Papaya, Jackfruit, Citrus, Pineapple, Mango, Avocado, Apple banana,
Bogoya, Chili pepper (Cavendish), Watermelon, Guava, Grape, Strawberry,
Melon and Tree tomato. The sub-sector is characterized by smallholder
farmers as producers, and the main markets of Uganda’s fresh fruits and
vegetable including solar dried fruits to a lesser extent are: European Union
(EU), COMESA, EAC and domestic markets. Despite its growth potential and
contribution to the economy, the horticulture subsector is faced with
numerous challenges ranging from low production volumes and poor-quality
produce, high post-harvest losses, food safety issues, failure to meet
mandatory and/or voluntary label market requirements, etc. The level of
agroprocessing is still very low fetching low incomes for the producers due to
selling of fresh produce given their highly perishable nature. The few agro-
processors such as Jakana Foods Limited (JFL) who have invested in the
fruits sector have been disappointed by the low production volumes, poor
quality, seasonality issues specifically for desired fruit varieties to meet final
product requirements as demanded by consumers. Using JFL as a case
study; this assignment will focus on analysis of the production, processing
and marketing of fruits to inform the development of a transformative model
for engaging Ugandan fruit producers for improved productivity, raw
material quality, reliability of supply, and business viability for producers and
American fruit processing companies. For more information on this project or
to apply, please visit http://farmertofarmer.crs.org/wp-
content/uploads/2019/06/UG217-Market-analysis-study-of-Fruits-
subsector.pdf or contact Maria Figueroa at [email protected].
CNFA is still looking for volunteers for horticulture-related assignments
taking place in Madagascar, Malawi, Moldova, Mozambique, Zambia, and
Zimbabwe! Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in
possible horticulture assignments in any of these countries.
CGIAR has announced the CLIFF-GRADS 2019 Round 1 Student Call
for Applications – Deadline: 30 September 2019
The CLIFF-GRADS program invites applications for short-term (4-6 month)
scientific training and research on the measurement and management of
greenhouse gas emissions and carbon storage in agricultural systems.
Students from developing countries who are currently enrolled in PhD
research related to agricultural greenhouse gas quantification or mitigation
are eligible to apply. Research will be conducted in association
with CCAFS and GRA scientists’ projects. Applications are requested on
either of two themes:
1. Measurement and mitigation of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions or
carbon storage in agricultural systems in developing countries, including in
the context of enhancing food security;
2. Quantification and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from reduced
food loss in high emission supply chains (e.g. dairy, beef, vegetables, fruits)
in developing countries, including estimation of costs and constraints to
mitigation.
Selected students will be sponsored in the amount of 10,000 -12,000 USD.
For more information and for a list of research opportunities available,
please visit https://storage.googleapis.com/cgiarorg/2019/08/c33b0b2e-
cliff-grads-2019-round-1-student-call-for-applications.pdf Research projects
are hosted by CCAFS and GRA members and partners and must take place
during 2020. Funding for CLIFF-GRADS is provided by the CGIAR Research
Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), the
Government of New Zealand and USAID.
International Twitter Feed
WaterLandEcosystems
@WLE_CGIAR
Tweeted - Farmers in Mali predominantly practice rain-fed agriculture and
are vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Learn how solar suitability
map can help increase their resilience.
@IWMI_@Petraschje @FeedtheFuture @USAID @Water_4_farming
@BorlaugTAMU https://wle.cgiar.org/solar-irrigation-counter-climate-
vulnerability-and-improve-food-security-mali
Mali is facing a cascade of threats from climate change. Its economy is
driven by agriculture and 72% Mali’s population owes their livelihoods to
agro-pastoralism. Being heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture makes
Mali ever more vulnerable to climate shock. But there is some light at the
end of the tunnel. Mali’s most abundant resource – sunshine – may prove to
be its ultimate savior in accessing the ever-scarce water resource. ‘Solar-
irrigated agriculture’ is attracting much interest from smallholder farmers in
Mali.
Agrilinks
@Agrilinks
Tweeted - Rainfall has dropped 7.5% in South Asia from 1900 - 2005. With a
growing population of 1.6 billion ppl, South Asia hosts 40% of the world’s
poor & malnourished on just 2.4% of its land. A new tool can help assess
droughts & create better policies: https://agrilinks.org/post/new-drought-
monitoring-system-will-reduce-climate-risks-south-asian-farmers…
@CIMMYT
WorldVegetableCenter
@go_vegetables
Tweeted - Meet one of the ingredients in
@BeyondMeat: #Mungbean! WorldVeg Genebank has 6,777 accessions of
this amazing legume & the Intl Mungbean Improvement Network is
developing more. New #markets for farmers ahead! @ACIARAustralia
https://bit.ly/2TSNaFd https://bloom.bg/2L1pGK1
Crop Wild Relatives
@CropWildRelativ
Tweeted - Meet Solanum incanum & Solanum elaeagnifolium, two wild
relatives featured by @edenproject in the Mediterranean Biome in Cornwall,
UK, with a special shout out to our #CropWildRelatives Project partners
@go_vegetables & @SOLbreedCOMAV! https://edenproject.com/visit/whats-
here/mediterranean-biome… #eggplant
WorldVegetableCenter
@go_vegetables
Also tweeted - Just a few seats left! REGISTER NOW to secure your place,
enhance your crop evaluation skills, and improve your career prospects!
METHODS FOR DISEASE AND INSECT RESISTANCE SCREENING FOR
GERMPLASM CHARACTERIZATION AND VEGETABLE BREEDING
https://bit.ly/2WrqMlW
USAID
@USAID Tweeted - It’s their time. This month’s @USAID newsletter celebrates the
potential of the 1.8 billion youth in the world and explains how our work helps them succeed http://ow.ly/gb4z50vK90T #selfreliance #USAIDYouth
Concordia
@ConcordiaSummit
Tweeted - In Myanmar, growing speciality coffee leaves a smaller carbon
footprint and provides jobs to women and people in conflict-areas. It's also a
viable alternative to growing opium and other low-value crops, like tea, that
often rely on child labor. #FinalistFridays #Concordia19
CNFA
@CNFA
Tweeted - The [scientific] mission will serve as an important means of
bringing together all the principals in the fight against #BMSB... to share
critical information & knowledge to advance our mutual objective & control
this destructive #pest. Building on a 2018 CNFA @USAIDGeorgia
REAP scientific mission to prevent the #BMSB, which threatens #hazelnuts &
other crops in #Georgia, leading entomologists from 3 U.S. universities,
@USDA & Trécé Inc. convened again for a 2nd mission. Learn more:
https://cnfa.org/press/top-entomologists-to-conduct-second-scientific-
mission-in-georgia-mission-reinforces-earlier-efforts-to-protect-georgian-
hazelnut-crop/
AVISA Project
@AvisaProject
Tweeted - Do you collect data from the field? @CGIAR_Data would like to
ask you some questions to better understand the challenges experienced
while collecting georeferenced #data & how they might be able to address
them. Give them your feedback via this survey: http://bit.ly/2ySILZn
SCiO
@SCiO_systems
Tweeted - Have you seen the new map that we recently developed for
#GARDIAN, the agricultural data search engine of @CGIAR_Data? If not
have a look at: https://buff.ly/2ZxD8Pb and explore crop production data
stored in genebanks worldwide.
CGIAR Big Data
@CGIAR_Data
Tweeted - We're excited to introduce you to some of our featured speakers
for the 2019 #BigData Convention, 16-18 October, at the
@ICRISAT HQ in Hyderabad, India! Meet more of our distinguished
panelists, get agenda info, and register TODAY: http://bit.ly/2wlRv9d
#BigDataInAg
CGIAR Big Data
@CGIAR_Data
Also tweeted - Using the emerging tools of #bigdata, we're developing
approaches for solving complex problems in ag, especially smallholder
farming in the developing world. Read about how #bigdata is transforming
global food systems, #ByteByByte: http://bit.ly/2VghpJv