Agriculture Initiative: Iowa State University & INP-HB (Yamoussoukro)
American Chamber of Commerce in C?te d’Ivoire
An Accelerator of economy progress
From September 13 to 22, 2024, representatives from AmCham-CI, along with a delegation from INP-HB that included senior faculty from ESA, visited Iowa State University.?The mission was critical in shaping the future of the partnership between ESA and Iowa State University, with a focus on long-term collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in agricultural practices.
Key Objectives of the September Mission The primary goal of the mission was to meet with the administrative staff and faculty at Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) to:
Key Meetings and Visits
The delegation's week began with a meeting with Shelley Taylor, Director of the Office for Global Engagement, who provided an overview of CALS and its role within Iowa State’s Land-Grant system. CALS, ranked 14th globally in agriculture and first in agricultural and biosystems engineering, boasts major research programs in animal science, food science, and environmental policy. Following this session, the delegation participated in a campus tour, led by a CALS student ambassador. In the afternoon, the delegation met with Dr. Walter Suza, who introduced them to the Plant Breeding e-Learning Program in Africa, which offers free, high-quality courses on crop genetics. Although the funding for the program ended in 2018, the materials remain accessible and could be highly beneficial for ESA's educational offerings.
A key highlight of the day was a meeting with Dr. Carmen Bain, Associate Dean for Academic Innovation, who provided insights into the Study Innovation Center and CALS' approach to curriculum development. Later, the delegation met with Dr. Tom Brumm to discuss the processes of developing, adapting, and discontinuing educational programs, a discussion highly relevant to ESA’s curriculum modernization efforts. The day ended with a meeting between Dr. David Acker, ESA/INP-HB delegates, and AmCham, where they discussed potential collaboration areas, including curriculum development, faculty exchanges, and joint research programs. Dr. Acker also outlined CALS' global partnerships, highlighting its successful collaborations in Uganda, which could serve as a blueprint for C?te d'Ivoire.
This day was dedicated to site visits, starting with the Ag 450 Farm, a 450-hectare educational farm where students gain hands-on experience managing a real farm. The delegation also toured a corn-based animal feed production facility and the CALS Horticultural Research Center, which conducts scientific research on crops like apples, grapes, and other horticultural products.
The delegation visited the Seed Science Center, a world leader in seed research, and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, a key facility for animal health research. These visits highlighted CALS' holistic approach to agriculture, covering the entire agricultural value chain from production to food safety and environmental sustainability. The visit to the veterinary school was a major turning point for the ESA representatives, who noted that there is currently only one veterinary school in West Africa, located in Senegal. They emphasized the significant need for such an institution in C?te d'Ivoire, expressing that the country could greatly benefit from establishing its own veterinary school to support the region's growing agricultural sector. The day ended with a strategic review session between Mr. Acker, Mr. Suza, and the INP-HB delegation. Key points included mutual interest in student exchanges, collaboration between faculties, and the development of joint research programs. They also discussed strategies for securing sustainable funding for long-term collaboration.
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Next StepsThe September mission laid the foundation for future collaboration, with key action points agreed upon:
BACKGROUND
In 2023, recognizing the central role agriculture plays in the economy of C?te d'Ivoire, the American Chamber of Commerce in C?te d'Ivoire (AmCham-CI) embarked on a mission to contribute to the nation's agricultural sector. Under the leadership of the Chamber's president, Yohannes Mekbebe, AmCham initiated discussions with several leading American universities, seeking to bring world-class agricultural knowledge and expertise to C?te d'Ivoire. Among the respondents was Iowa State University, renowned for its College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), a global leader in agricultural education and research. CALS ranks 14th globally and is the top-ranked institution in the United States in the fields of agriculture and biosystems engineering.
Building Strategic Partnerships
AmCham, in collaboration with Iowa State University, initiated discussions to explore how C?te d'Ivoire’s agricultural sector could benefit from the university’s 160 years of experience. Iowa State University, represented by Dean Daniel J. Robison and David Acker, Associate Dean for Global Engagement, offered expertise in curriculum development, student and faculty exchange programs, and other academic collaborations. These initial discussions laid the groundwork for a transformative partnership aimed at strengthening agricultural education in C?te d'Ivoire.
Collaboration with Ecole Supérieure d'Agronomie (ESA)
AmCham identified the école Supérieure d'Agronomie (ESA) at the Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphou?t-Boigny (INP-HB) in Yamoussoukro as the key Ivorian partner for this collaboration. ESA, a premier institution for agronomic sciences in C?te d'Ivoire, was founded in 1996 and has a long history of producing highly skilled agricultural professionals. The collaboration between ESA and Iowa State University, facilitated by AmCham, is expected to significantly enhance C?te d'Ivoire’s agricultural education system.
Milestones and Key Visits
On March 14, 2024, an important milestone was reached when key players from ESA and representatives of AmCham's agriculture committee, under the aegis of AmCham, held a meeting in Yamoussoukro to explore opportunities for collaborations. This laid the foundation for further collaboration, including a pivotal visit by Dr. Moussa Diaby, Director General of INP-HB, to Iowa State University on May 31, 2024. Dr. Diaby's visit, hosted by David Acker and other senior faculty, was a critical step in strengthening ties between the two institutions.
Conclusion
AmCham-CI’s initiative in facilitating this groundbreaking collaboration is set to redefine agricultural education in C?te d'Ivoire. By leveraging the expertise of Iowa State University and the local talent at ESA, this partnership aims to foster innovation, enhance education, and create opportunities for Ivorian students and professionals in the global agricultural landscape. The success of this initiative could serve as a model for future academic and professional collaborations, ultimately advancing C?te d'Ivoire’s position in the global agricultural sector.