The Howard G. Buffett Foundation has entered a strategic partnership with the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture of the Texas A&M University System to promote African agricultural research, extension, and education at the Ukulima Farm Research Station in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Its mission is to support science to increase African agricultural production, enhance rural livelihoods, and conserve natural resources. 
New models are required to address the diverse needs of agriculture in Africa. The persistence of hunger and poverty throughout the continent belies the credibility of globalization and technological advancement. With all the science and potential, hunger still is endemic across the African continent. Innovation, entrepreneurial thought, and cooperation are needed to fight hunger and poverty. Collaborative partnerships are required that bring together researchers across disciplines, farmers, and policy makers from Africa and the world.
Ukulima Farm was created by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation as a platform for organizations and researchers to develop technology and practices to advance African agriculture. The Ukulima concept is grounded in the principle that technology must be developed and tested in Africa in order for researchers to adequately address the many issues facing African agriculture. This unique platform provides an alternative to current systems of international agriculture research and provides for collaboration between scientists and a synergy of ideas. It promotes an integrated model of research, teaching, and extension for African agriculture.
Current partners of the Borlaug Institute and the Buffett Foundation at Ukulima include the International Center for Wheat and Maize Improvement (CIMMYT), Pennsylvania State University, University of Missouri, and Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO).
Ukulima Farm: Former AgriLife Extension Agent Takes on New Role in South Africa
Article written by Paul Schattenberg for AgriLife Today. Read the article on their website here. ALMA, South Africa – A former Texas AgriLife Extension Service county agent is now farm manager for the Ukulima Farm Research Center in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Bob Whitney, who retired as an AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture for Williamson County and had previous agency positions in different counties, has been at the center in his new role since March. Bob Whitney, a former Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent with extensive… Read More →
Practical Lessons in Conservation Agriculture at Ukulima Farm
In the final week of March the Ukulima Farm Research Center conducted a training for seven Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) “Seed Entrepreneurs”. The participants are seed production pioneers who actively disseminate improved crop varieties and agricultural technologies to poor farmers in their respective home countries of Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Niger. The Borlaug Institute and the Howard G Buffett Foundation partnered to provide these participants with practical lessons in Conservation Agriculture that will enhance outreach efforts for smallholder farmers. Read More →
In The Press – The Battalion: A&M Follows Crop Studies to Africa
The following article was written by Jessica Orwig and published in the Texas A&M student newspaper, The Battalion, on March 21, 2012. Click here to read the article on their website. Ukulima Farm Research Center is part of a new strategic partnership between the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and the Borlaug Institute to promote African agricultural research, extension, and education. The mission of the research center based in South Africa is to support science to increase African agricultural production, enhance rural livelihoods, and conserve natural resources. As the human… Read More →
