Agro-ecosystem Services: Linking Science to Action

Additional partners: Lincoln University.

With more than 80 percent of its population living in rural areas, Malawi’s 2010 Agriculture Sector Wide Approach (ASWAp) identifies sustainable land and water management as a priority focus area. Malawi recognizes that without planning and management of human activities, the country’s land, water, forest, and other resources face impairment or destruction.

Michigan State University and the University of Malawi, along with Lincoln University, are building university capacity in the area of agro-ecosystem services (AgESS)—the benefits that people derive from ecosystems. The partnership will empower higher education institutions in Malawi and the United States to contribute more effectively to African development and transformation in the area of AgESS and the drive for agriculture-led economic growth.

Among the activities the partnership has planned are: Ph.D. training for identified faculty, a survey of AgESS-related courses, development of new modules and courses, enhancement of library resources, updated training for librarians, and improving the library’s online access.

In addition, the partners will develop the University of Malawi’s research capacity, building skills in the areas of grant proposal writing and financial management. The partners will also strengthen outreach, connecting with AgESS-related businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and extension agents.