Roots and Routes: Knowledge and Career Trajectories of Kenyan and Tanzanian Agriculture Graduates
Agricultural scientific knowledge systems play a crucial role in shaping rural development by bringing modern innovation into real-world practice while – in best case – also learning from it. An important pathway of this knowledge exchange constitute graduates of higher education. As part of the Collaborative Research Centre “Future Rural Africa” (CRC 228) which explores the role of science for rural development, this research explores the role of agricultural graduates in Kenya and Tanzania, examining their motivations and how their education and research influence their careers, employers’ activities and agricultural development. It evaluates the alignment of university curricula with sector priorities, identifying gaps between educational supply and labor market demand.
Projektleitung:
Michael Brüntrup
George Tonderai Mudimu
Partner Project Leads
- Ayoub Salim Baanda, Dr., Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)
- Turoop Losenge, Dr., Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
- Dennis Otieno Ochuodho, Dr., Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
- Theobald Frank Theodory, Mzumbe University (MU)
Projektteam:
- Stefan Adamson (IDOS)
- Anna Holeck (IDOS)
- Theresa Meyer (IDOS)
- Lena Sgorsaly (IDOS)
- Julia Steinhauer (IDOS)
- Alisha Weber (IDOS)
Partner Project Team
- Noah Oketch Karan, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
- Glory Ernest Mella, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)
- Ruth Ochuodho, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
- Samuel Onyango Ohanga, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
Finanzierung:
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Collaborative Research Centre TRR 228 – Future Rural Africa (DFG)
Zeitrahmen:
2024 - 2025
/
Laufend
Kooperationspartner:
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
- Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
- Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)
- Mzumbe University (MU)
With support from
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
- Commission for University Education
Projektbeschreibung
Agriculture is central in the rural economies of Kenya and Tanzania, providing livelihoods for a large share of the population. The agricultural sector plays a crucial role in food security, employment, and national development. Scientific advancements offer new opportunities to enhance productivity, optimize resource use, and strengthen resilience against climate change.
The study investigates how agriculture graduates contribute to rural development and societal processes shaping “rural futures.” By tracing career trajectories and employment outcomes, the research aims to:
- Assess how higher education aligns with labor market needs.
- Understand how scientific knowledge is transferred into society via graduates.
- Inform strategies to enhance education-to-employment pathways and promote agricultural study programs as future-oriented choices.
A mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data, is employed. This includes semi-structured interviews with graduates and experts, surveys, and focus group discussions. The findings will be disseminated through workshops, policy briefs, and publications, ensuring wide accessibility and impact.
