Economic assessment of the contribution of pollinators on agricultural systems and food production in Rwanda
Host Institutions:
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Rwanda
International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Rwanda
Location : CIAT and AIMS-Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Supervisors:
Dr Rosita Yocgo, ryocgo@nexteinstein.org
Dr. Eliud Abucheli Birachi, e.birachi@cgiar.org
Project Description
Interactions between plants and animal pollinators like bees, are essential for plant reproduction, food production, improve food quality, and the economy. Reports indicate that increased food production has been achieved in more than 75% of food crops (Klien et al., 2007). In India, the six most common cultivated pollinator-dependent crops have an economic value of more than 3720 million (Basu et al., 2011). In Brazil, it is estimated that agricultural GDP could drop by 14% – 19% in the event of a pollinator crises (Novais et al., 2016).
The dependency (socio-economic, nutritional etc.) of the Rwandan agricultural sector to pollinators has not been well documented. However, efforts to increase bee keeping for instance by the Rwanda Agricultural Board, under the ‘APIARY SUB – PROGRAM’ exist. The increase in the presence of bees could further translate into a beneficial production outcome for pollinator dependent crops (http://rab.gov.rw/index.php?id=157).
The collaboration between the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture in Rwanda seeks to attract three dynamic interns who will independently work on any one of the following projects:
Project 1:
Determine the socio economic dependency of Rwanda’s agricultural system to pollinators
Project 2:
Cultivation/production status of pollinator dependent crops and the impact of regional drivers like climate or land use changes on these crops
Project 3:
Impact of pollinator losses on GDP in the Rwanda Horticulture sector
Results obtained would inform the possibility of transitioning into a full research program.
Applications for this internship should be submitted via the online application system, stating clearly the title of the internship.
Deadline for applications: January 20th, 2020 – 11:59 PM (EAT).
Any inquiries about these internships should be sent to:
aims-ms4cr.internship@nexteinstein.org.