Interactions with Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST), Zimbabwe.

The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources hosted the delegation from Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST) in Zimbabwe in an exchange visit that run from 18th to 24th of February 2024. The interactions aimed at fostering mutual learning and enhancing collaborations.

The interactions brought together delegates from MUAST, staff members from the Faculty of Development Studies, post graduate students from the Faculty of Development Studies, Centre for Agriculture Research and Development (CARD), Africa Centres of Excellence in Agricultural Policy Analysis (APA) and Transformative Agriculture Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship (TACE) at LUANAR. Participants of the programme interacted through presentations, discussions, public lecture and a tour.

The exchange visit increased the visibility of APA not only to LUANAR students and staff, but also to international participants and other partners that were present. This was achieved through the presentations that were made by APA team during the interactions highlighting what APA is all about.

Through the presentation by APA, participants appreciated the need for big data and its valuable contribution to easing storage and access to evidence for informing policy. The participants also recognized the possibilities of integrating APA in the region through the big data hub which can store information useful in the region.

The interactions did not only increase APA’s visibility, but also laid a solid foundation for possible collaborations between APA and MUAST to explore education for enhanced research engagement.