Challenges facing Agricultural Higher Education Training and Innovations in Tanzania: A case of Sokoine University of Agriculture

Abstract

Market-driven agriculture and agricultural innovation systems place new demands on the knowledge and skills of agriculture. However  there is a big challenge in trying to increase the quantity and quality of experts at tertiary level to meet this demand in most African  countries. For example in Tanzania there has been tremendous increase in student enrollments in higher learning institution in the last  10 years, but the distribution of students seems to be skewed to arts and humanities degree programmes at the expense of science and  agriculture. This paper highlights some of the possible causes of this phenomenon. Although science and agriculture may have low  financial return at an individual level their impact at societal level might be great. It can be deduced that if this trend continues unabated  the shortage of experts in the field of agriculture will cost the country dearly in terms of importing expatriates. It is therefore  recommended that in view of the immense importance of agriculture to the attainment of the country’s economic development agriculture should be accorded a “special and strategic national manpower needs” status. The Government should provide incentives for  bright students to study science and agriculture by offering sponsorship to outstanding students at both undergraduate and  postgraduate level. The criterion for sponsorship should be demonstrable desire to become a farmer, to work with farmers, and to help  farmers. Those who receive sponsorship should sign a special contract to work in the field of agriculture for a specified period. Also,  special remuneration package should be established for those working in the field of agriculture in order to provide incentive for  prospective students in high schools to join science and agriculture; and the government and civic society organizations should embark  on a massive campaign to destigmatize agriculture.