A&T Extends Expertise to Uganda 

July 31, 1998 

Greensboro, NC: Dr. Daniel D. Godfrey, dean of NC A&T's School of Agriculture, recently traveled to Uganda, as part of a United States-led effort to rehabilitate the war-torn country.

The project, facilitated through USAID, is focused on integrating young adults and youth affected by war back into communities in productive ways. Specific goals include identifying local needs and resources, strengthening the capacity of organizations and associations to work together, and the development of economic opportunities.

"After years of civil war, normal job opportunities are scarce for Ugandan veterans and their families, and it's often difficult for people accustomed to a military lifestyle to find work to support themselves," said Godfrey. "This project will address that issue by helping young adults and families earn income through agriculture and agricultural processing."

To do this, the project will rely on USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) to provide technical assistance and "train-the-trainer" workshops for partner institutions and organizations.

Godfrey joined the project at the request of the team leader from USAID, and is responsible for planning an enhanced linkage between Ugandan universities and outreach efforts, based on an information delivery system similar to the Cooperative Extension System in the United States.
Representatives from Texas A&M University and Nebraska Indian Community College joined Godfrey on the team of university consultants visiting Uganda.

"Ugandan universities do not currently have a clear role of providing outreach and training opportunities for their citizens," said Godfrey. "However, as the Ugandan government moves toward decentralization, opportunities for this linkage will emerge."

Part of establishing a linkage between Ugandan universities and the public was an examination of current outreach activities in the country, so that new efforts would not duplicate existing efforts. During their eight-day stay, the project team interviewed representatives from 30 outreach agencies, and assessed the goals of their current efforts.

According to Godfrey, this assessment revealed gaps, especially in programs for youth, which an Extension-like system could fill with unique educational programs, such as 4-H. Godfrey also indicates that the assessment reveals an opportunity for partnership between Ugandan universites and agencies and United States universities and agencies, through which expertise in distance education can be shared.

"With an estimated 80 percent of its population involved in agriculture in some way, agriculture is the largest factor affecting future economic development," said Godfrey. "The A&T Cooperative Extension Program, through its association with CSREES, has a long history of using education from a distance to help disadvantaged audiences find opportunities which enhance their quality of life. This project will give us an opportunity to share that expertise with another country, and consequently to help develop new markets for United States products."

Godfrey is currently helping the project team assess their findings and advising officials of possible partnerships for the project's goals.

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For more information, please contact Dr. Daniel D. Godfrey, NC A&T School of Agriculture, (336) 334-7979.