University of Minnesota Extension Global Food Security Efforts in Tanzania

Abstract

The Companion Village Project (CVP) is an educational outreach project in Tanzania, Africa. Its goal is to increase food production above subsistence levels and create a source of income. University of Minnesota Extension is an indirect partner and will provide educational development, counsel and agricultural resources to the CVP, which is operated by staff (trained by U of M MAST) at the Institute of Agriculture at TumainiUniversity. Similar in concept to the American land grant system, the CVP is using research from the U of M and developing an outreach system through church leaders and congregations. Short-term deliverables will be awareness and education of the rural population, virtually all of whom practice subsistence agriculture. The long-term goal is increased food security in the Region of Iringa, Tanzania.