Three Nigerian agro-scientists have been selected among
top 10 fellows listed in the 70-people honoured at the African Women in
Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) 2015, reports NaijaAgroNet.
A press statement made available to NaijaAgroNet by the
Communications Assistant at AWARD, Judith Olang, hinted that Messrs Ngozi Edoh,
Catherine Nwokwu and Juliana Amaka Ugwu.
NaijaAgroNet reports that the trio were among participants
who had earlier relationship with AWARD as mentees, but now has grown to make
the fellowship programme.
For Ngozi Edoh,
a Research Scientist at the National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike in Abia
State is currently focused on biosafety research and genetic improvement of
root and tuber crops.
Catherine Nwokwu, NaijaAgroNet gathered is currently a post-graduate student at Ebonyi State
University, Abakaliki.
Her vision for agricultural research and development is to
develop at least five high yielding and drought tolerant rice varieties.
Equally, Juliana Amaka
Ugwu, an entomologist, is also a former AWARD junior mentee, who is on a
mission to develop ecological and environmentally friendly approaches to
sustainable production of fruits and vegetables in Nigeria. Ugwu is currently a
lecturer at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria.
Also on the list of top 10 is Zambian Belinda Kaninga, who
is a soil scientist on the other hand is
developing appropriate soil fertility technologies in order to improve
agricultural production and income for smallscale farmers.
Kaninga is an
Agricultural Research Officer at the Zambia Agriculture Research institute.A
lecturer and researcher at the Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo,
Mozambique, Olivia Narciso Pedro was quoted in a press statement from Africa
Press Organisation as saying, “Agricultural research and development in
Mozambique is an important tool for increasing production, and consequently
reducing household malnutrition and poverty, particularly in children and women.
According to her, “My vision for agriculture-led growth in
Mozambique is to design alternatives to mitigate loss of genetic diversity, and
ensure conservation of species, while improving household food security.”
This year’s laureates were selected from among an impressive
cadre of 1,109 applicants from 11 African countries. These scientists and
researchers will benefit from AWARD’s two-year career-development program that
is focused on accelerating agricultural gains by strengthening their research
and leadership skills.
AWARD Fellowships are granted on the basis of each scientist’s
intellectual merit, leadership capacity, and the potential of her work to
improve the livelihoods of African smallholder farmers, most of whom are women.
AWARD Fellows share a common vision: they want to translate
their research and knowledge into tangible action, tangible action that will
benefit smallholder farmers—especially laudable in 2015, the African Union’s
Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.
AWARD Director, Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg noted that they have
a long journey ahead with women still under-represented in agricultural
research and higher education in Africa.
“AWARD is at the forefront, working to increase the numbers
of professional women at the decision making table in Agricultural Research and
Development (ARD) across Africa. We are
committed to Africa's prosperity with this year's cohort of AWARD fellows
joining our vibrant Pan- African community that is building the capacity of
Africa’s women researchers to contribute to the continent’s food security,” Kamau-Rutenberg
said.
Emphasising that they congratulate the 2015 winners of the
AWARD Fellowship, noting that this special year, there were empowerment of
women in all areas of development and these are being highlighted by the
African Union.
“We are proud of the impact these women are making in their
different areas, and the contribution that the fellowship will make in
fast-tracking their innovation,” Dr. Kamau-Rutenberg said.
According to an AWARD benchmarking study, the majority of
those who produce, process, and market Africa’s food are women, but only one in
four agricultural researchers is female. Even fewer—one in seven—hold
leadership positions in African agricultural research institutions.
In order for African agriculture to become an engine for
prosperity and well-being, it is critical to cultivate a new generation of
African leaders in food and agriculture, including technically competent,
confident, and influential women.
This year’s AWARD laureates represent a wide range of
agricultural disciplines and cutting-edge research—from evaluating aquatic
pollution, climate smart agricultural practices, aflatoxin mitigation, capacity
building and empowerment of rural women, to biotechnology.
+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) @AWARD2015, @Nigeria @FMARD
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