Call for applications: Three new training courses on neglected and underutilized species

Neglected and underutilized species (NUS) include hundreds of locally domesticated and wild species, which are rich in nutrients and adapted to low-input agriculture. They play a key role in supporting rural livelihoods, and can help alleviate the effects of climate change. Because the food markets tend to narrow down to just a few crops, diversity of NUS and the associated local knowledge is rapidly lost. Thus research on NUS needs strengthening.In the framework of a project on building human and institutional capacity for enhancing the conservation of NUS, Bioversity International, together with partners, is organizing the following courses:Scientific Writing and CommunicationDates and venue: 25-29 November 2013, BeninWho can apply? Scientists under 40 years old Benin, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and SenegalDeadline for applications: 28 October 2013Effective writing and communication skills can help improve the current situation of many research results being published in the journals with limited circulation or not being published at all. Increasing the rate of published research results on NUS crops can contribute to converting research into innovation by bringing it into use.The course will develop knowledge and skills for:

• use of electronic resources for literature research
• finalization of manuscripts for scientific journals
• peer-review and editing scientific manuscripts
• communication of research results to 'popular' target groups

Value Chain ResearchDates and venue: 2-6 Dec 2013, Entebbe, UgandaWho can apply? Scientists under 40 years old from Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, UgandaDeadline for applications: 28 October 2013Effective methods for conducting research on the value chain on NUS crops means understanding of the concepts from seeds and genetic resources to the consumer. We need to use interdisciplinary approchaes to analyse and upgrade value chain.This 5-day course puts particular emphasis on:

• multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder approaches to value chain analysis and upgrading
• problem-based learning that puts emphasis on using participants own research experiences
• lessons learned from field visits in local markets
• lectures on key topics

Food systems: from agronomy to human healthDates and venue: 2-6 Dec 2013, Entebbe, UgandaWho can apply? Scientists under 40 years old from Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, UgandaDeadline for applications: 28 October 2013The food we eat connects agriculture and human nutrition, but the two sectors are surprisingly segregated. Agriculturists might promote high yielding varieties or high-value crops to increase production and raise income, whereas nutritionists may be looking at staples enriched with micro-nutrients to combat malnutrition. The need to understand food systems calls for initiatives to increase collaboration between agriculture and nutrition specialists, and to build capacity for integrated food systems research.The course will specifically develop knowledge and skills to:

• Assess agricultural biodiversity from a nutrition perspective on farm
• Understand how to use food composition tables
• Measure diet diversity and quality
• Understand nutritional status of populations
• Undertake multi-sectoral food systems approach to research
• Carry out a rapid field assessment of an improved food and nutrition system
• Promote a food-based approach to nutrition

Download the full text of the calls and the application forms.Scientific Writing and Communication call 2013Value Chain Research course call 2013Food Systems course call 2013Application form - Scientific CommunicationApplication form - Value Chain ResearchApplication form - Food Systems