A unique collaboration between Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), Bayerisches Bildungswerk (bbw) and Maschinenring Foundation gGmbH (MRF) aims to help fight world hunger.
The FAMFISK (Fostering Agricultural Machinery & Food Technology in Senegal & Kenya) project, which is funded by the Bavarian State Chancellery, started in March 2024. In addition to the German partners, the machinery rings in Senegal and Kenya as well as the Senegalese university USSEIN (Université du Sine Saloum El-Hâdj Ibrahima NIASS) and the Kenyan university JOOUST (Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) are involved in the international cooperation.
FAMFISK kick-off programme
As part of the project's kick-off week at the beginning of June, a delegation of 18 guests from Senegal and 6 guests from Kenya visited this year's ‘Day of Machinery Rings’ in Neuburg an der Donau. The highlight there was the founding of the World Association of Machinery Rings with 15 founding nations in the presence of Michaela Kaniber, Bavarian Minister of State for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism. Participants included the machinery rings in Senegal and Kenya.
Various workshops were held during the week, including a workshop at the Weihenstephan campus to coordinate the content of the planned joint training programmes such as: Summer School at USSEIN in Senegal in September, Winter School at JOOUST in Kenya next year, various partial qualification programmes and student tandem projects.
The group visited local companies and agricultural businesses such as Treffler Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG, DINZLER Kaffeerösterei AG and Birkenschwaige BioAgrikultur. At an evening event, the guests were able to exchange ideas and network with numerous representatives of the World Association of Machinery Rings.
Objectives of the project
In addition to the 200 existing machinery rings in Senegal and Kenya, the Maschinenring Foundation (MRF) aims to establish 300 more machinery rings in the coming years. This is to be accompanied by training local farmers so that competence centres can be established there that go beyond machine rental. Expertise and trained staff on site are the essential success factor here. This requires a stronger link between vocational training and higher education. As part of the project, Senegalese and Kenyan universities are therefore to be enabled to support the establishment and expansion of the machinery rings. The cooperation is intended to pool the existing expertise of Bavarian stakeholders in Senegal and Kenya and generate synergy effects.
Strengthening the agricultural value chain and food sovereignty
Ultimately, this not only improves the conditions for people in agriculture, but the project also helps to strengthen the agricultural value chain in the regions. While hunger in the world is on the rise, this project aims to create prospects in Senegal and Kenya, ensure food sovereignty in the member countries and thus also combat the causes of flight. Bavarian students also benefit from the opportunity to participate in the cooperation project and acquire skills in Africa.