Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) is committed to graduating highly skilled agriculture and allied sciences professionals. This commitment extends beyond the classroom, with a strong emphasis on practical learning to achieve the university’s strategic objectives of improving the quality of graduates, increasing the volume and quality of research; enhancing partnerships, and; improving teaching.
One key initiative in achieving these goals is the Field Practical Training (FPT) program. Every year, for 5 to 8 weeks, students from the University are sent to various institutions like research centers, regulatory bodies, NGOs, and private companies to learn more. This year, over 500 students from the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture participated.
The FPT program provides invaluable hands-on experience. Students get to see the practical application of what they’ve learned in class and practiced at SUA. They gain exposure to activities like:
- Seeds and pesticide dealer’s registration and regulations
- Plant breeding methodologies
- Packaging, grading, and sorting of agricultural products
- Food preservation techniques
- Urban agriculture practices, like growing vegetables in small spaces
- Pests management
- Weed management
- Soil analysis
- Pests detection and management using emerging technologies
Some of the Students participating in this year’s FPT program shared their experiences:
- “I saw how export and import permits are issued and understood the reasons behind restrictions.” – Veronica Charles (Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority – TPHPA)
- “We learned about the high nutritional value of indigenous vegetables, often overlooked by consumers. We will let the farmers and other people know the benefits of consuming these vegetables.” – Gatty Joseph (Echo East Africa)
- “From planting to harvesting and post-harvest practices, I gained in-depth knowledge about coffee production and disease/pest management.” – Charles Paul (Burka Coffe Estate)
- “What we have learned was an extension of what we got at the university we saw how new crop varieties suited to specific communities and weather conditions are developed. We also did soil testing, field preparations and learned important tips to increase productivity.” – Deus Gomba (Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute – TARI)
The program supervisors at the FPT locations were impressed by the students’ discipline, teamwork, hard work, and accountability. They welcomed the opportunity to share experiences and learn from the students.
SUA will continue to make sure that the students are well-trained, and they embrace the university’s values during and after their studies at SUA.
