Empowering Sustainable Agriculture: NMSU Hosts African Fellows for USDA-funded Science Exchange Program on Forage and Animal Feed Production

Droughts and land degradation pose significant threats to pastoralists and other livestock-dependent communities. The recent uptick in frequency of severe droughts has eroded climate resilience and food security in many arid and semi-arid regions in Africa. Concurrently, long-term land degradation, declining soil health, and the invasion by non-palatable species have further diminished forage resources. These issues threaten the health and viability of livestock populations and, in some cases, heighten the potential for conflict among pastoral communities, and between pastoral and agricultural communities.

In response to these challenges, a team led by Dr. Njoki Kahiu (NMSU PES department) submitted a proposal that was funded under the 2023 US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) Scientific Exchange Program, with the theme "African Animal Feed and Fertilizer Innovation." This program pairs selected African practitioners with US-based scientists to share expertise on improved practices for high-quality forage and animal feed production.

Six African fellows have been selected from five countries (Botswana, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Tanzania) to be hosted by NMSU from May to August 2024. Dr. Kahiu leads an all-NMSU team including Drs. Niall Hanan, Leonard Lauriault, Mark Marsalis, Efren Delgado, Eric Scholljegerdes, Julius Anchang, and Vanetta Busch. This diverse team covers a wide range of scientific and technical expertise and will engage with the visiting fellows throughout their stay at NMSU, and also provide one-on-one mentorship on conceiving, planning, and implementing projects on fodder and feed supply chains that leverage economic opportunities in their respective countries and regions. Dr. Vanetta Busch, Director of the NMSU Center for Learning & Professional Development, joins the team to provide expertise on leadership, communication, and professional development. In addition to meetings held at USDA headquarters in Washington, DC, the fellows will also have opportunities to visit NMSU off-campus Agricultural Science Centers in Las Cruces, Los Lunas, Clovis, Tucumcari, and Corona, as part of the core training and exchange activities. They will also be exposed to cultural activities and other extracurricular experiences that our beautiful state of New Mexico has to offer.

NMSU is honored to be one of only six universities selected to host this prestigious program, alongside Mississippi State University, the University of Florida, the University of Tennessee, the University of California Davis, and Iowa State University. This recognition underscores NMSU's commitment to addressing global agricultural challenges and fostering international collaboration for sustainable development. Through this program, NMSU and its partners aim to empower African pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, enhance resilience and promote sustainable agricultural practices. This initiative increases NMSU College of Agricultural and Consumer Science (ACES) engagement in international agricultural development, while addressing critical issues in animal feed and forage production in drylands and promoting more secure and prosperous future for pastoral and agropastoral communities in Africa.

For more information, contact Dr. Njoki Kahiu at nkahiu@nmsu.edu