Lilongwe, 26 September 2024 – The Centre for Agricultural Transformation (CAT) has partnered with Mzuzu University’s African Centre of Excellence in Neglected and Underutilized Biodiversity (ACENUB) to promote collaborative research, develop industrial skills, drive product innovation, enhance marketing and support incubation efforts.

This partnership also aims to boost agricultural productivity and incomes for smallholder farmers. The two institutions have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today on 26^th September 2024, at Forty-Four Lodge in Lilongwe.  

ACENUB focuses on research to highlight the value of neglected and underutilized biodiversity, while CAT is a Malawian consortium supported financially by the Global Action to End Smoking (GA) through its Agricultural Transformation Initiative (ATI). CAT uses the Smart Farm model to enhance adoption of agricultural innovations and best agronomic management practices.

Macleod Nkhoma, Executive Director of CAT, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, underscoring the importance of strong collaborations to transform Malawi’s agrifood systems and achieve the goals outlined in the country’s development plan (MW2063), particularly those concerning agricultural productivity and commercialization. He reiterated CAT’s commitment to promoting underutilized and neglected crops.

“The aim of this MoU is to spell out how we will work together to enhance agricultural productivity and incomes for smallholder farmers, foster collaborative research, provide industrial training, develop products, and facilitate marketing and incubation,” he stated.

Professor Wales Singini, Vice-Chancellor of Mzuzu University, welcomed the collaboration, noting its potential to significantly strengthen the university’s emphasis on impactful research.

He said: “Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of education in truly transforming communities, but I am encouraged by the positive shift occurring in higher education. Mzuzu University is committed to impactful research, and this partnership will provide students with valuable learning opportunities.”

Key focus areas outlined in the MoU include sharing research facilities, fostering technological innovation, mobilizing resources, conducting farmer-centered research, facilitating staff and student exchanges, joint training for Master’s and PhD candidates, collaborative proposal submissions, and organizing joint conferences and workshops, among others.