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).
Balancing Wildlife Conservation and Food Security in Botswana
There are rich wildlife resources throughout Africa but much of those resources are threatened due to human communities. In these same areas there are also dramatic conditions of poverty and food insecurity. Where humans and wildlife coexist, there inevitably is conflict competing for the same resources— the same land, the same water, the same food. The challenge is to work with national-level authorities and individual communities to properly manage wildlife resources while still attaining both economic and social development. Read More →
In The Press: Drs. Tracy and Patrick Baker, Borlaug Institute Research Scientists
This article about Drs. Tracy and Patrick Baker was written by Michelle Brunetti and originally published in the Press of Atlantic City. Based in New Jersey, Tracy and Patrick are research scientists with the Borlaug Institute doing hydro-ecology work at the Ukulima Farm Research Center and at one of our project sites in South Sudan. Follow the link at the end of the excerpt to read and share the full article on their website. “Stone Harbor’s Tracy Baker, 42, has seen the worst that people are capable of, and… Read More →
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 →
Thank you for your comment, Dr. du Preez! You are most welcome at Ukulima. You can contact Ukulima Farm’s Resident Director, Dr. James Muir, at j-muir@tamu.edu and schedule a time to visit.
I have previously been involved in community deve,opmebt while at the former veterinary faculty of Medunsa. Lately I am in a partnership as feedlot cosultant but also involved in herd health programs for private cattle owners. Your projects are interesting and so wellcome in South Africa. I would like to visit at some convenient time for you and would like to contribute if I can. Regrds.