I have had the great privilege of working in livestock research for many years and during the past 20 years also in rural development in many parts of the developing world. I have seen how agricultural education can assist in rural poverty alleviation. However, I have also been disappointed to see expensive inputs from developed countries being used to little effect. These include full time PhD programmes which in the United Kingdom with full payment of fees may cost up to £50,000 for a 3 year study including cost of accommodation. Following graduation often some of the students do not return home due to lack of similar research facilities in their own countries. While split programmes where the research is undertaken in their own country are much better, it is still expensive, costing at least £20,000 for 3 to 4 year study.
The Orskov Foundation was set up to provide the best basis on which agricultural education can contribute towards rural poverty alleviation.
That is:-
(1) Assisting in confidence building in universities in developing countries through human resource development in the countries themselves so that degrees obtained there have the same status as degrees obtained in developed countries.
(2) Assisting postgraduate students to learn the most appropriate techniques for study projects aimed at poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability. The place for such training will depend entirely on where this can best be given. The project to be supported should be concerned with aspects of livestock production and their interaction with plants and soil, or plant, soil and water management or other aspects of resource management. The criterion is that it can have potentially sustainable benefits for the poor. The long term benefit for such an approach will be that a potential impact on poverty alleviation becomes a criterion for assessment of agricultural research objectives in developing countries.
(3) To set up community projects, as we already have in south-east Asia and Africa. These community projects have so far been mainly livestock-based, due to the needs of the particular communities where they have been set up, but other livelihood options can just as easily be considered as the basis for projects contributing to development. The projects have been carried out as partnerships between community groups and universities that have found both the goodwill and facilities for students to conduct technical and socio-economic studies, providing a better understanding and respect of rural societies and to become more engaged in the impacts they can have on rural poverty alleviation.
The Macaulay Institute has a wealth of experience in all aspects of agricultural science which is invaluable in this field. I feel honoured that they have decided to use my name for the Foundation and I hope that together we can form a substantial trust that can make a real impact on the lives of many rural communities.
