EPIKUR aims to estimate agricultural production potentials by combing spatially explicit crop growth models, land use allocation models, and farm-level efficiency analyses. EPIKUR is strongly connected to its partners from the study region and to international universities and research institutes. The project contributes to building a strong network for advancing the science and understanding of agricultural potentials in transition economies. All doctoral candidates are expected to complete dissertations of high scientific quality and policy impact.

Doctoral position 1 and 2:
Both doctoral positions aim at assessing the natural potentials of agricultural production across the region. Position 1 focuses on agricultural land resources and position 2 on agricultural productivity. Using spatially explicit modelling both doctoral candidates will assess current production and project future production potentials under scenarios of climate, technological, and farm structural changes in close cooperation with the other EPIKUR scientists.

Required qualifications and experience for positions 1 and 2:

• Outstanding Master´s degree (or equivalent) in Agricultural Sciences, Geography, Applied Computer Sciences, or related disciplines
• Advanced knowledge of statistical methods and experience with geographic information systems and/or remote sensing
• Programming skills (e.g. C++, Java, Python) are an asset

Doctoral position 3 and 4:
Both doctoral positions aim at analysing the economics of the exploitation of agricultural production in the regions. Position 3 focuses on economic yield potentials given the current level of land use. Position 4 will build on that finding and investigate the economic benefits resulting of an increase and restructuring of farm inputs

Required qualifications and experience for position 3 and 4:

• Outstanding Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Agricultural Economics, Economics, or a related discipline
• Strong interest in neoclassical production economics
• Strong analytical skills and experiences using econometric and statistical methods

All applicants are expected to meet the following qualifications and experience requirements:

• Interest in agricultural development in transition economies
• Very good skills in oral and written English, skills in Russian are an additional asset
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment

Terms of offer:
All positions are internationally recruited and the appointment will be for an initial period of three years, renewable depending on research performance. The salary is based on the TV-L E13 (50%) with the social benefits valid for public servants. Alternatively, a scholarship according to the Guidelines for the promotion of stays of visiting academics at IAMO will be granted. IAMO offers an international and collegial working environment with an excellent infrastructure.

Applications:
Qualified applicants are encouraged to send us their application documents, which should include a cover letter illustrating the suitability for the preferred position and a detailed curriculum vitae. IAMO is an equal opportunity employer. Female researchers are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications of disabled persons will be preferred in cases of equal qualification.

Applications should be sent via email to:
Dr. Daniel Müller (mueller@iamo.de) for positions 1 and 2 and to
Prof. Dr. Heinrich Hockmann (hockmann@iamo.de) for positions 3 and 4.

Application expenses will not be reimbursed. Applications for both positions will be considered until March 15th, 2012 or until the positions are filled.
Starting date: Preferably May 2nd, 2012

About IAMO:

The Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Central and Eastern Europe (IAMO) is a leading international center of expertise for the scientific analysis of agricultural and rural development in transition economies. IAMO offers a stimulating research environment in an international, ambitious, and multidisciplinary team. The institute is located in Halle (Saale), an old city with a vibrant research and student environment. The city is very well connected to major railway lines and to the airport Leipzig/Halle.

The post PhD Positions in Agriculture Development at University of Iamo, Halle, Germany first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Museeni wants commercial farming

Speaking during the annual review workshop held at Buhinga primary school in fort portal municipality yesterday, the NAADS coordinator observed that the procurement of technologies at village level has greatly hindered the NAADS growth and progress.

The NAADS coordinator reveals that office has received reports that some beneficiaries do not procure the technologies but instead claim to have procured what they already have in their farms.

She said that over 200 farmers from 23 villages in the division have benefited from the food security program and her office intends to organize farm visits to help farmers and sensitize the population about NAADS phase two programs.

Irumba Edward, the farmer forum chairperson, disclosed that some beneficiaries sell off NAADS technologies especially animals and claim that they have died.

By Sunday Rogers

The post Uganda government urged to streamline agriculture extension programme first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

Nowhere is this more relevant than in Sub-Saharan Africa, where agriculture accounts for 30 to 40 percent of total gross domestic product (GDP) and almost 60 percent of export earnings. Agriculture is also the primary source of income and employment for many Africans, including most of the continent’s poorest citizens.

In recent years, many global and national promises have been made reinforcing the importance of agriculture for promoting development and alleviating hunger. But decisionmakers at all levels have often failed to make good on those commitments. Monitoring progress on past pledges—by international donors and African policymakers alike—also needs to be high on the Deauville agenda. In the face of growing challenges to global food security, such as high and volatile food prices, the rising cost of energy, and climate change, we cannot afford to let good intentions remain just that.

Shenggen Fan, Director General of IFPRI

Recognizing that agriculture must play a central role in stimulating economic growth and development across the continent, in 2003, African leaders launched the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and agreed to allocate at least 10 percent of their national budgets to agriculture. Although most countries have made progress toward this target, less than a dozen have achieved it.

From 2000 to 2007, public spending on agriculture as a share of agricultural GDP—which takes into account the relative size and importance of the sector—decreased from 4.4 percent to 2.5 percent in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, during the same period, public agricultural expenditures in the region grew by 47 percent in absolute terms, which was significant, but considerably less than East Asia and the Pacific and South Asia, which increased spending by 86 percent and 65 percent, respectively.

Historically, African governments have spent much less on agriculture than their counterparts in other developing countries, but now is the time to reverse that trend. Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region of the developing world expected to have more poor people in 2015 than it did in 1990. Hunger and malnutrition continue to affect nearly 30 percent of the population. In Eastern and Central Africa, the percentage of people living on less than a dollar a day actually increased during the past two decades. An agricultural revival on the continent could help countries tackle these problems and enable them to take advantage of the renewed global interest in agriculture.

After more than two decades of neglect, official development assistance (ODA) to agriculture is gradually on the rise. From the mid-2000s to 2009, ODA commitments to agriculture increased from US$5 billion to nearly US$10 billion, not counting contributions from all multilateral donors. During the same time period, the share of total official development assistance spent on agriculture grew from 4 to 6 percent. At the G8 summit in L’Aquila in 2009, world leaders pledged more than US$20 billion to boost food security and agricultural development. And last year, a multilateral fund, the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, was launched with the goal of improving agricultural production, crop productivity, and food security.

Although these financial commitments are substantial, challenges remain. First and foremost, donors need to make good on their promises—as do African governments themselves.

Second, investments in agriculture should reflect a country’s national priorities, contribute to an overall development strategy, and be supported by good governance and effective policies. Finally, determining the “how” of agricultural spending is as important as the “how much.”

In a world where public resources are not only limited but often scarce, prioritizing investments to maximize benefits and on-the-ground impact is critical. Because countries have different political and economic systems, natural resource endowments, and socioeconomic conditions, a one-size-fits-all strategy will not work. However, IFPRI research shows that in general, spending on agricultural research and development, education, and rural infrastructure—especially rural feeder roads in Africa—are most effective for promoting agricultural growth and reducing poverty.

If G8 leaders are serious about their partnership with Africa, they need to ensure, in a spirit of mutual accountability, that African countries have every opportunity to capitalize on agriculture’s immense potential—beginning with the fulfillment of past pledges. With African countries firmly in the driver’s seat, agriculture can shape and impact development on the continent and ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of all citizens.

by Shenggen Fan

Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

The post G8-Africa Partnership Provides Opportunity to Revitalize Agriculture, Spur Development, and Improve Food Security first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.