Final report : university development linkage project : to improve the well being of small holder rural families in Malawi through improved extension and nutrition support

research institutions -- Oregon State University (OSU, lead entity), Tuskegee University (TU), and Washington State University (WSU)-- on a project (4/93-4/98) to establish a linkage with Bunda College of Agriculture (BCA) in Malawi with the goal of improving the well-being of smallholder families through improved extension and nutrition support. The project maintained a long-term perspective and sought to achieve a number of sustainable objectives. Strategies were focused in the areas of agricultural extension/rural development (AE/RD) and home economics/human nutrition (HE/HN). The objectives were to: (1) strengthen the extension education programs at BCA, OSU, and WSU; and (2) strengthen the home economics and human nutrition programs at BCA, OSU, and TU. Accomplishments related to objective one included: the development and implementation of a new MSc program in AE at BCA; and published research on AE/RD and on household dynamics at BCA, OSU, and WSU. Objective two accomplishments included: the development of comprehensive, bachelors-level curricula in HE/HN at BCA; development of a new MSc program in food science and human nutrition at BCA; establishment of a food processing and food analysis laboratory; and the improvement of nutritional research capabilities at BCA. Research conducted as a part of this grant has provided a forum for identifying changing societal needs and developing strategies to alleviate problems in areas such as malnutrition and family incomes below the poverty level. For example, based upon research conducted by the BCA Agricultural Extension Department, the need for a MSc program in agricultural business has been identified and a proposal for a new degree program is being developed for submission to the BCA Faculty Senate. Inter-institutional foundations have been laid for the continual development of curricula in AE/RD and HE/HN and of applied research in relationships, infrastructure, and professional development. Strategies for sustaining project achievements include: memoranda of understanding; agricultural policy analysis and research with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); distance education with A*DEC; Fulbright Awards; faculty exchanges between OSU and BCA; and collaborative research. The success of this project is attributable to the cooperation of the members of the participating universities. The programmatic leadership of the BCA staff and faculty complemented the technical leadership of the OSU, WSU, and TU faculty.