Project

Enhancing African leafy vegetables nematode management and capacity building in research-based education to improve the livelihood of smallholder farming communities in South Africa

Code
13V14524
Duration
01 September 2024 → 31 August 2029
Funding
Federal funding: VLIR-UOS
Promotor
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Animal systematics and taxonomy
  • Agricultural and food sciences
    • Agricultural plant protection
Keywords
plant-parasitic nematode academic education capacity building soil nematodes
 
Project description

Through an interconnected, multi-institutional and multi-stakeholder partnership, the project aims to enhance research, education and extension capacity in Plant Nematology at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP; organisational challenge). The research component aims to limit the yield losses due to nematodes of indigenous leafy vegetables which have the potential to become an important and highly nutritious food source for the rural communities in this part of South Africa by developing efficient, low-cost, environment-friendly and sustainable nematode management strategies (sustainable challenge). The educational component aims to create and include relevant nematology modules in the curriculum of UMP, building further on the achievements of existing initiatives within South Africa and other African regions. The extension component aims to transfer the research results to the agricultural extension workers and to the broader farming community during farmer days.