SLU´s long-standing commitment to partnerships with low-income countries enabled the university, in this programme, to engage colleagues in 77 countries and 75 academic institutions in projects directed toward sustainable agriculture with the aim to reduce poverty and malnutrition.
In late 2011 the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs made an allocation to SLU to be used to strengthen Sweden’s cooperation with African universities, research institutes and organizations in the area of food security. The allocation was made with the long-term aim of reducing hunger and malnutrition by supporting the improvement of agricultural productivity through research and higher education. Key components in SLU’s mission have been mutual exchange, focus and longevity in results with African partners. Aspects of gender in natural resources management and research education and training have been central. In terms of research areas, priorities have included plant breeding, farming systems, animal health and disease control and land restoration. This report presents the results generated from projects within the programme.
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has core compe- tence within the agricultural sciences, including forestry and veterinary sciences. The university´s areas of expertise cover urgent global issues such as food production, energy supply, climate change, biodiversity conservation and control of infectious diseases in animal and man.
To strengthen SLU's involvement in issues related to improving productivity in agriculture, food security and sustainable livelihood in low-income countries, the university has established the programme Agricultural Sciences for Global Development, (SLU Global). The programme's mission is to coordinate and visualize SLU's competence in research, education and expert councelling within the framework of the Swedish Policy for Global Development.
