Four new grants have been awarded to African students to help tackle poverty through agricultural development.
The Orskov Foundation was created in 2004 to support students from developing countries to further their education in agriculture.
The Foundation was named after Professor Egil Robert Orskov OBE for his efforts to educate scientists from low-income regions to better manage their feed resources, and increase animal productivity to combat poverty.
This year’s awards went to Sanurah Manatovu and Hadijah Nalika from Uganda, and Cecilia Martin Leweri and Dorah Mbogo from Tanzania.
The successful students took part in an annual competition run by the Foundation which required them to demonstrate how their training will help alleviate poverty or provide sustainable environmental benefits.
The chair of the board and director of science at the Institute, Professor Deb Roberts said: “Through its support to students, the Orskov Foundation is increasing the research capacity in developing countries, better equipping them to address issues which are vital to rural livelihoods.”
“It is great that a further four students this year, all working in the area of sustainable land management, will be added to the long list of students that have benefited from the Foundations support since it was established in 2004.”
Following the completion of their research, the students are asked to submit evidence of their training and a short report on their studies, evaluating the impact of their work.
The Foundation is in the process of setting up an alumni network and all four students who received funding this year will be invited to join the growing body.
