African farmers are to take home knowledge and
skills gained in the English countryside of Shuttleworth College in
Bedfordshire.
Eight students spent seven weeks at
Shuttleworth College in Old Warden, Bedfordshire on an agricultural
course where they learned vocational skills in animal and
crop husbandry, machinery operations and business
development. The knowledge, skills and experience they gained
has been taken back to Africa to share with the farming communities
and industries in their home countries of Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria,
Rwanda and Tanzania.
L-R Mike Johnston
(Shuttleworth College Centre Director brown jacket), James Parish
(Marshal Papworth Trust and local grower checked shirt) and Guy
Kiddy (Shuttleworth College Course Manager, Agriculture white
shirt), pictured with African students at Shuttleworth College.
These students are the first to join
Shuttleworth College in a groundbreaking partnership with the
Marshal Papworth Trust through the East of England
Agricultural Society. The students have been awarded
scholarships by the Marshal Papworth Trust to further their
education and develop their skills in order to
benefit their own communities in Africa.
Bronwen Bray, Assistant Director of Land and
Environment at Shuttleworth College, explained:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for
Shuttleworth College to be involved in an international project and
partnership. The students from Africa have an opportunity to
look at different ways of using equipment and livestock which they
can take back to farms in Africa. The students were taught by our
experienced staff and had the opportunity to learn about
appropriate machinery as well as state of the art Agricultural
machinery in partnership with CaseIH.
“It also gives all our students the chance to
broaden their thinking on farming and understand different
agricultural practices used across the world, whether they are from
Bedfordshire or Africa.”
The new International Partnership for
Shuttleworth College marks the 10th anniversary of the Marshal
Papworth Trust.
During 2001 the late Marshal Papworth
bequeathed a trust fund to be managed by the East of England
Agricultural Society for the benefit of educating overseas
students. A Huntingdonshire Farmer and Member of the East of
England Agricultural Society Marshal's vision was to help them,
help themselves. To date over 70 overseas students have received
scholarships through this Trust.
Paul Wallwork, Chief Executive of the
East of England Agricultural Society said:
“That one person can create such a lasting
legacy by doing something that is relatively simple but so
radically different makes me stand back and question my own way of
thinking about life. What is my own contribution to this
world and what legacy will I leave behind? It is an honour
for the East of England Agricultural Society to be bequeathed so
much money by a long standing Member who is sadly missed and yet to
be able to continue his good work on his behalf through the Marshal
Papworth Trust.”
James Parrish, Trustee of the Marshal
Papworth Trust said:
“I am very proud to be involved with the
Marshall Papworth Trust and to be able see the students'
passion and enthusiasm for learning inspired by the training and
different experiences they receive whilst in the UK. Things we take
for granted like a train journey are often the first time for many
of the students. It is very humbling to see the personal sacrifices
that students make to take up the scholarship opportunity - away
from their families, in such a different culture - however they
realise how the experiences will be life changing and they will be
able to use their training and development to make a vital impact
in their countries and communities when they return home.”
The students are already reaping the benefits
of the course they joined in April and commented on their
experiences:
Bridget Nkor of Nigeria:
“The course has been very rewarding, with an
excellent method of teaching, combining discussion and practical
sessions. We will take this experience back home and if we
put into practice what we have learnt then the agriculture practice
in our home countries will change for the better.
The farm visits, soil analysis and crop
rotation have shown how to get the best from the land.”
Haruna Dauda of Ghana:
“The hands-on experience we have learnt about
farm machinery has been excellent. Before now the only
tractor I had seen was a picture in a book!
“It is important that we put this experience
into practice so that we can push agriculture forward in our
countries. Many of our farmers depend on subsistence farming
but, whatever the size of land cultivated, crop rotation would make
the best of that land.
Uswege Mwakahesya of Tanzania:
“I will be advising my government to look at
food processing and storage to make sure that fresh produce reaches
market places in good condition and with a long life.”
Grace Ruzindana of Rwanda:
“I have learnt so much that I can take back to
my country, including more information about producing crops
and food - and learning to drive tractors!
“The business classes have been really helpful
in teaching us how to sell and market the foods that we
produce.”