Thomas fleetwood mefford biography usaid

Agricultural advisory board for the United States Agency for International Development

The Board for International Food and Rural Development (BIFAD) advises the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) bulge issues concerning agriculture, higher education conduct yourself developing countries, and food insecurity. BIFAD was established and recognized by Reputation XII of the Foreign Assistance Consume, and both the BIFAD board pole Title XII recognize the critical function of U.S. land-grant institutions in go running and agricultural security, domestically and abroad.^[1] BIFAD consists of seven board associates appointed by the White House, several of whom must have been attach of the US Academic community.^[2] Leadership board's mission is to draw notice the expertise and scientific knowledge stand for those in higher education to assign the US international assistance on leadership effect of domestic efforts to solve food insecurity.

History

BIFAD was created hard USAID in 1975, under Title Cardinal (Famine Prevention and Freedom from Hunger) of the Foreign Assistance Act.^[3] Give a ring XII itself was passed in Coitus to address the global issues look up to food insecurity and hunger.^[4] Title Cardinal highlighted the benefits of increased engagement of US Universities in agriculture, class need for developing countries to scheme trained people and thriving local institutions that can adapt to local requirements, and how increased focus and efforts in agriculture can benefit both justness US and other countries. BIFAD was also tasked with the formulation admire basic policy, procedures, and criteria promulgate project proposal review, selection, and observation, as noted in the Foreign Help Act of 1961.^[3] BIFAD is say publicly only presidentially appointed board that assists the Administrator of USAID in processing and implementing the official U.S. transalpine assistance programs.^[5]

Challenges and strategies

BIFAD believes go off the current^{[as of?]} global challenges clod terms of poverty and food slip are the current 800 million grouping suffering from chronic hunger, the 2 billion people affected by micronutrient leanness, the 700 million people living suspend extreme poverty, and the growth put in global population estimated to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, with growth progress disproportionately in Africa and Asia.^[6] Challenges facing the production of foodstuffs nourish the threat of new strains remark pathogens, dropping water tables, and efficient changing climate. In order to direction these problems food production will call for to dramatically increase with limited arrange a deal, usage of land and water inclination need to improve, and disease with the addition of insect-resistant crops will need to remedy developed.^{[citation needed]}

Past and present board members

^{[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]}

*Member left partway through the vintage

**Member became Chairman

Events and meetings

Haiti taskforce

One of BIFAD's goals, after disloyalty creation, was to determine the segregate higher education Institutions could have take away agricultural development. As such, after primacy 2010 earthquake in Haiti, BIFAD union a task force to see what role Title XII agricultural Universities plus other public land-grant institutions could own in the reconstruction of Haiti. Amend in January 2010, the task passageway was organised through several conference calls during the month of February, direct developed the goal "to develop recommendations for BIFAD to deliver to class USAID Administrator regarding long-term Haiti refreshment and regional development; and the function of land-grant universities in this." Tending idea for Universities to help operate Haiti's reconstruction was to host grade whose institution had been destroyed past as a consequence o the earthquake, so that they could continue or finish their studies lacking in disturbances. The task force met enclose person in March to set down-to-earth expectations with a focus on general thinking of a vision for Haiti.^[15]

Afghanistan agricultural strategy

BIFAD, in coordination with say publicly Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) held a meeting on representation US agricultural strategy in Afghanistan. Being were representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Roundabout Agency for International Development (USAID), excellence State Department, the U.S. Central Right lane, the National Guard Bureau and nobility U.S. Marine Corp, and 21 representatives of Title XII institutions. The wrangle over concerned the institutional development of glory Ministry of Agriculture in Afghanistan. Observe 80% of Afghanistan's population depending war agriculture, such development was seen^{[by whom?]} as essential to prevent insurgencies, construct employment opportunities, and the development medium the country. After the meeting, put in order working group with representatives form loftiness USDA, USAID, and Universities was built to continue meeting regularly to conversation what could be done for Agrarian "research, learning and extension competencies focal point Afghanistan to develop strategies and opportunities to expand long-term training."^[16]

Board meetings

The BIFAD Board meets several times per generation with the representatives from key institutions (USAID, APLU), ecetera and land cater to or for universities to discuss the ongoing projects and most important topics concerning agronomics and education. As of July 2014, there have been 166 BIFAD meetings. The topics since 1975 have target humanitarian relief, agriculture and nutrition, very great food prices, sustainability, the Feed probity Future Initiative, African higher education, in the flesh and institutional capacity development, and diverse other subjects that revolove around rearing, agriculture, and domestic or international concerns.^[17][18][19]

Past projects

Borlaug Higher Education Research and Expansion Program

In June 2011, the US Commitee for International Development (USAID) launched span new set of programs called depiction Borlaug 21st Century Leadership Program observance the legacy of Nobel Peace Award Laureate Norman Borlaug. This initiative assessment a major new effort to focus individuals and strengthening the public mount private institutions of developing countries, facultative them to take advantage of methodical and technological breakthroughs to promote surprise across the agricultural sector. BIFAD was asked to help establish one presentation the programs within the broader Borlaug 21st Century Leadership Program, called nobility Feed the Future Borlaug Higher Teaching Agricultural Research and Development Program (BHEARD).^[20]

Feed the Future Research Forum

In May 2011, Feed the Future (FtF) held regular forum that placed a major result on research, technological development, policies, increase in intensity a "whole government" approach to timeless world hunger. The forum would copy Feed the Future identify research opportunities combat global hunger. USAID and USDA partnered with the Association of Get around and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and prestige Board on International Food and Farming Development (BIFAD) to consult on a-ok process for engaging the US paramount international research communities to respond hype the strategy and to identify probation opportunities that support Feed the Future's research goals. An initial workshop was held at Purdue University in Jan 2011 to set the context bolster the discussion and outline a condition. In May 2011 an e-consultation was held, followed by a stakeholder meeting, convened in Washington DC in June 2011. This consultative process was intended to allow research stakeholders to other refine research priorities and identify opportunities for new ways of working fall apart order to inform Feed the Future's research implementation efforts.^[21]

Africa-U.S. Higher Education Initiative

In July 2007, BIFAD and USAID legislative body with a number of groups homespun in the United States and Continent came together to consider what could be done to assist in spiraling African higher education's capacity to inform and solve problems relevant to formal and regional development. These meetings resulted in an initiative to strengthen depiction capacity of African higher education briefcase partnerships between African and U.S. better-quality education institutions. The principal goal present the initiative was to facilitate unworthy of and more effective partnerships between Somebody and U.S. institutes of higher tuition with a focus on contributing very effectively to key priority development areas such as science and technology, husbandry, environment and natural resources, engineering, duty, management and economics, health, and tutelage and teacher training.^[22]

Award for Scientific Excellence

2012

^[23]Jim Simon of Rutgers University was elect as a winner of the 2012 BIFAD Award for Scientific Excellence. Fair enough was chosen for his work instruct in agricultural research and training programs hut Sub-Saharan Africa. He created agricultural jobs for women and disabled individuals manage with creating new markets for them to access. He has helped lessen food-insecurity for high-risk groups.^[24]

Gerardine Mukeshimana be partial to Michigan State University was chosen chimpanzee a winner of the 2012 BIFAD Award for Scientific Excellence. She was chosen for her work in propagation the common pear to be both drought tolerant and disease resistant epoxy resin her home country of Rwanda. She has also identified the key purport of bean genetic inheritance, including drought-resistant mechanisms, and has developed a speed and cost-effective method for screening these components. Her work has led penalty increasing crop productivity and a reduce in food insecurity in the region.^[25]

2014

^[23] Rangaswamy Muniappan of Virginia Tech was chosen as a winner of righteousness 2014 BIFAD Award for Scientific Credit. He was chosen for his proof into a biological control of influence papaya mealybug which has brought exhibit economic benefits of between $500 mint - $1.3 billion. Dr. Rangaswamy has also been credited with the manner of biological controls for the good for your health hibiscus mealybug, the fruit-piercing moth, righteousness red coconut scale, the banana weevil, and the Asian cycad scale. King research has led to an boost in crop profitability and food retreat, while also lowering the usage attention pesticides protecting both farmers and rendering surrounding environment.^[26]

Kelsey Barale was chosen by the same token a winner of the 2014 BIFAD Award for Scientific Excellence. She was chosen for her work in happening how agricultural information can best wool communicated to farmers, particularly disadvantaged cohort and smallholder farmers. Her work has led to effective communication about yeoman needs and improved and sustainable ground practices, increasing food security in uncountable developing countries.^[27]

Elana Peach-Fine was chosen type a winner of the 2014 BIFAD Award for Scientific Excellence. She was chosen for her work in channel of communication the Horticulture Collaborative Research Support Information (Horticulture CRSP) along with other office scaling up agricultural practices in underdeveloped countries. Her work has helped alteration rates of food insecurity.

2015

^[23] Dr. Larry L. Murdock of Purdue Origination was chosen as a winner bring into play the 2015 BIFAD Award for Methodical Excellence. He was chosen for sovereign research into cow pea production take up storage which has helped many resource-poor farmers in Africa cut losses competition harvest peas to weevils down jump in before virtually zero. His work led censure the evolved hermetic three-bag storage profession now in widespread use in Continent which has led to increased seed value, lowered pesticide use, and has created a new micro-credit market have recourse to grain as collateral. Overall Dr. Murdork's research has led in the diminish of food insecurity and poverty unplanned the region.^[28]

D. Layne Coppock of Utah State University and Dr. Getachew Gebru of MARIL PLC in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, were chosen as winners show evidence of the 2015 BIFAD Award for Systematic Excellence. Their team was chosen supplement their work in Pastoral Risk State (PARIMA) Project where they focused see to it that ways to diversify income, assets, most important improve access to information among mainly female pastoralists through micro-loans. Their inquiry led to an increase in takings in communities along with the launching of women into the workforce.^[28]

2016

^[23] Probity team of Micheal Carter, Christopher Barrett, and Andrew Mude were chosen pass for winners of the 2016 BIFAD Accord for Scientific Excellence. They were elite based on their research on which pioneered new solutions on how solve deal with the issues of inveterate poverty and food insecurity. Much near the research can be applied coinage policy and has already been enforced in parts of Kenya and Abyssinia, where it is aiding in deteriorating food insecurity and chronic poverty.^[29]

Daljit Singh of Kansas State University was ungainly as a winner of the 2016 BIFAD Award for Scientific Excellence. Put your feet up was chosen for his work incorporate applied wheat genomics to develop spick heat-tolerant, high-yield, and farmer-accepted varieties ferry South Asia. This development of unique wheat strains will aid in finish food insecurity in the region promote will aid in increasing the proceeds of farming communities.^[30]

2017

^[23] James Beaver pan the University of Puerto Rico ground Juan Calos Rosas of the Zamorano Panamerican Agricultural University in Honduras were chosen as winners for the 2017 BIFAD Award for Scientific Excellence. They have been recognized for their lessons in the breeding of disease-resistant, drought-tolerant, and heat-tolerant varieties of common let the cat out of the bag. The team has developed more caress 60 cultivars with increased yield, constitution, and stability throughout Central America., at the head with 23 bean lines and germplasm resistant to Bean Golden Yellow Combination Virus, Bean Common Mosaic Virus, focus on Bean Common Mosaic Necrosis. Dr. Topper and Dr. Rosas collaborative research has directly improved the incomes and tear security of smallholder farmers across excellence Central America.^[31]

Laouali Amadou of the Habit of Niger was chosen as uncluttered winner of the 2017 BIFAD Prize 1 for Scientific Excellence. His work operate parasitoids as a way to switch pests, mainly the Niger's pearl painter head miner which causes hundreds weekend away millions of dollars in crop propitiation each year. This innovative solution was chosen due to its usage round naturally occurring parasitoids to control glory population of the millet head mineworker which unlike pesticides is environmentally sufferable and does not negatively impact distinction farmers that use them.^[32]

2018

Dr. Hillary Egna of the Oregon State University was selected as the winner of glory 2018 BIFAD Award for Scientific Worth as a senior researcher. She was recognized for work to address probity critical production constraint of feed surge in aquaculture enterprises. The researcher was supported by the Feed the Unconventional AquaFish Innovation Lab.^[33]

Mr. Mohammad Mokhlesur Rahman of Kansas State University was elite as a winner of the 2018 BIFAD Award for Scientific Excellence hoot a graduate student. He was legal for his pivotal role in hospital Bangladesh's largest wheat testing nursery, circle over 1,800 candidate lines have antique tested. This has helped identify bully heat-tolerant varieties for the country's cereal farmers.^[34] Mr. Rahman's work was spare by the Feed-the-Future Innovation Lab make up for Applied Wheat Genomics at Kansas Renovate University.^[35] He was also a individual with the Borlaug Higher Education awaken Agricultural Research and Development (BHEARD) Announcement, funded by USAID and administered impervious to Michigan State University.^[36]

2019

Drs. Yihun Dile, Abeyou Worqlul, and Jean-Claude Bizimana of Texas A&M University were selected for nobility 2019 BIFAD Award for Scientific Aid. They have been recognized for their work in developing the Integrated Determination Support System, which is an inquisitive systems that assesses the production, environmental, economic, and nutritional consequences of blue blood the gentry introduction of multiple small-scale irrigation systems in three countries in sub-Saharan Africa.^[37] The researchers were supported by primacy Feed the Future Innovation Lab cargo space Small-Scale Irrigation^[38] at the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture at Texas A&M AgriLife.^[39]

Jean Baptiste Ndahetuye was dignity recipient of the 2019 BIFAD grant for Scientific Excellence as a set student. Mr. Ndahetuye is a college lecturer at the University of Rwanda contemporary is completing a doctoral degree diverge the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Mr. Ndahetuye was recognized for culminate research on milk production practices predominant udder health—both of which have wedged milk quality, safety and processability importance Rwanda. His work was supported timorous the Feed the Future Innovation Workplace for Livestock Systems at the Sanatorium of Florida Institute of Food discipline Agricultural Sciences.^[40][41]

Modes of assistance

^[42]

Higher education orangutan an engine of opportunity and enabler of development

According to BIFAD the enhanced education community is vital to dignity advancement of agricultural and food contentment, along with economic and social situation, by teaching the next generation be successful farmers and scientists how to return problems and overcome challenges related bare food security BIFAD and USAID put on increased food security in regions divagate need it the most. BIFAD contemporary USAID have invested $2.8 billion (financial year of 2011 through the pecuniary year of 2016) into higher breeding globally.

Global distribution of investment bogus higher education intuitions

By supporting the unbounded distribution of higher education BIFAD assignment hoping to increase the global file of food security. USAID and BIFAD have directly invested over $86 brand-new (fiscal year of 2016) into bizarre higher education. A total of 50 higher education institutions in 33 counties received the funding: 21 institutions put in 11 sub-Saharan African countries, 4 institutions of in 3 countries in picture Middle East and North Africa, 9 institutions in 6 Asian countries, 8 institutions in 6 European countries, 2 institutions in Australia, 2 institutions cloudless Central America and Canada, and 4 institutions in South America and influence Caribbean.

Distribution of investments at U.S. higher education institutions

USAID and BIFAD endowed more the $334 million in U.S. institutions of higher education supporting provisions and agriculture security. An additional $48 million (2016) was given to U.S. institutions of higher education in mother grants and contracts.

Feed the Cutting edge Innovation Labs

USAID and BIFAD supported capital total of 24 Feed the Ultimate Innovation Labs that used the dexterity of 79 different colleges and universities around the country. Feed the Innovative in cooperation with top U.S. universities and developing countries research and become fuller solutions to tackle challenges in usda, food security, and nutrition where feed is needed most.^[43]

Training experiences delivered outdo U.S. Universities

USAID and BIFAD have straighten up long history of training foreign lesson at U.S. institutions of higher upbringing. A total of 1,593 degree-seeking chintzy were supported (2016) at institutions all over the globe: 48% at U.S. institutions of higher education and another 5% were U.S. citizens working with Provender the Future Innovation Labs. Of decency 1,593 individuals, the majority sought calibration in agriculture followed by, education, group science, business, science, math, medicine, decode health, arts, and humanities (2016).

Organisational capacity development assisted by U.S. Universities

USAID and BIFAD along with other donors have invested in the strengthening bank agricultural education and training to endure partner countries to develop a groove force that is responsive to community and regional challenges.

Youth: The After that Generation of Food Producers

According to BIFAD the world's changing demographics require copperplate greater focus on preparing youth recognize a productive future, BIFAD and USAID have thus invested in strengthening prepubescence programming and has begun to merge youth issues into their programs.

U.S. Distribution of investments

USAID and BIFAD fake invested over $334 million in advanced education in six main categories. Form programming received the largest portion make known funding, followed by economic growth, cultivation, governance, program design, and disaster keenness (2016). Health was broken down interruption 9 sub-categories, HIV and AIDS commonplace the largest portion of health back followed by family planning and erotic health, malaria, maternal and child interest, water and sanitation, tuberculosis, emerging threats, other public health issues.

See also

References