By Henk Knipscheer | Senior Associate
The lack of front line female agricultural extension agents is a critical limiting factor in increasing food production and food productivity in Africa. The Christopher Dowswell Scholarship Program makes an effort to increase the pool of female extension agents by providing modest financial support during their mid-career degree academic program. The program started in 2014 with a total of five scholars in Ethiopia, Mali and Nigeria. During the last quarter of 2016 four significant positive developments have taken place. First, the program was highlighted during the recent World Food Prize ceremony in the USA. Secondly, Winrock International announced a new contribution of USD 30,000 to the fund. Thirdly, Tanzania (Sokoine University for Agriculture - SAU) has been added as fourth country where the program will be active. The SUA Agricultural Extension department has hosted the largest number of mid-career degree students on the continent. The fact that the Head of the SUA Agricultural Extension Department is a female confirms the institutional commitment to female enrolment. Lastly, the growing pool of funds allowed an increase of 27 additional scholars nearly doubling the number of scholars. The total number of scholarship awards now amounts to 60 scholars in four countries. See Table 1. None of the scholars have dropped out of their programs.
The interest in the program is increasing exponentially. The number of applications in all countries is up strongly while additional countries are eager to participate as well. The only factor limited the expansion of the program is the availability of funds. You can do something about that by making a generous contribution. On behalf of all hardworking and motivated female African field agents, we express our great appreciation for all the support received to-date.
By Henk Knipscheer | Senior Associate
By He | Senior Associate
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