N o rw eg ia n U n iv er sit y o f L if e S cie n ce s De pa rt m en t o f I n te rn at io n al E n viro n m en t a n d De ve lo pm en t S tu d ie s, N o ra g ric A n n u al R ep o rt 2 00 8
Noragric’s vision is to:
Contribute towards equitable development, sustained well-being of women and men, and sound environmental practices through collaborative activities that generate and exchange knowledge and provide education in the area of agricultural development, livelihood security and natural resource management.
Contents
Message from Noragric’s Head of Department 5
Research projects and assignments 6
Institutional Cooperation 16
Education 18
PhD students at Noragric in 2008 22
Library 26
Staff 28
Financial overview 30
Editor: Joanna Boddens-Hosang
Design: Åslaug Borgan, Berit Hopland, Information Department
Printer: Elanders Novum
Photo credits: Håkon Sparre (p 5-21), Ingrid Ohna (p. 13), Gunnvor Berge (p. 24), Bishal Sitaula (p. 3-7-15-21-31),
Ian Bryceson (p.11), Josie Teurlings (p. 4-9-19), Evy Jørgensen (p. 19- 23-25-26-27-29), Ivar Jørgensen (p. 24), Farshad Tami (p. 29)
Established in 1986 as a centre at the Agricultural University of Norway (NLH), Noragric became the Department of International Environment and Development Studies at the renamed
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) on 1 February 2005.
Noragric’s activities include research, education and assignments, focusing particularly, but not exclusively, on developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The department has the academic responsibility for International Environment and Development Studies at UMB, including research. Noragric’s interdisciplinary approach addresses societal challenges by engaging in cutting edge research and education in priority areas of environment and development. With more than 20 years collaboration between UMB and academic and professional institutions in Africa, Asia and East/South East Europe, Noragric has established a broad network of worldwide contacts
Department of International Environment and
Development Studies, Noragric
Message from noragric’s head of department
Having spent the last four years as Country Representative for Norwegian Church Aid in Afghanistan, I was first-hand witness to how local people, living in an extremely poor country, were trying to cope with the many changes happening so fast in their country. With the collapse of local and national governance, ruined infrastructure and increased difficulties in carrying out traditional agricultural activities, rural livelihoods in Afghanistan have truly been put to the test.
Afghanistan is an example of how conflict leads to environmental destruction and how scarcity of natural resources, in turn, often leads to further conflict. Researchers at Noragric have been addressing the particular challenges related to rights, conflicts and resources for many years.
One of our research groups, in fact, addresses the problems related to access to natural resources for the poor, post- conflict management and internally displaced people and forced migration. In this Annual Report describing Noragric’s activities in 2008, you will find an overview of projects and highlights under this and the other two research programmes.
Noragric has grown and expanded its research areas from mainly agriculture in developing countries in the 1980s to the modern day environment and development issues on the international agenda such as climate change, the food crisis, impact of globalization on poor people’s livelihoods, land grabbing and implications of producing biofuels, environmental governance and health in relation to development. Noragric’s interdisciplinary approach and multidisciplinary environment makes it well suited to address the complex development challenges the world faces today through high quality development and environment-related research and education.
The year 2008 was a highly productive year for Noragric, particularly with regard to scientific publications. We continued to develop the study programmes with several new courses, notably in the fields of international relations and human rights. I am also proud that Noragric got the Thor Heyerdahl professorship, a 4-year position which will strengthen UMB’s programmes on environment and development.
Our long-term and extensive academic collaboration with institutions in the South is a major factor in Noragric’s success
and I want to share our achievements with the many dedicated and hard-working partners we are fortunate to have. The collaboration was further strengthened during the year with national and international institutions, both ongoing and new.
I returned to UMB/Noragric with a humble feeling after four years amongst some of the world’s poorest, but with renewed energy and firm commitment to ensure Noragric’s core activities in development and environment-related research and education are indeed relevant, and ultimately benefit those who are in need of competence and know-how. Through our new strategic plan (2009-2012) we will enhance our capacities as an interdisciplinary department at UMB to address societal challenges by continuing to engage in cutting edge research and education in high priority areas of environment and development. Noragric will continue to endeavour to produce and disseminate knowledge that empowers people and organisations.
I particularly want to thank Noragric’s Head of Department during the past seven years, Professor Ruth Haug, for her relentless efforts and hard work in bringing Noragric further in the 21st century as a respected academic department of high quality. With record numbers of students in the Bachelor, Master and PhD programmes, as well as the dedicated and hard-working staff, we commend her for her vision and enthusiasm in leading the department ahead.
Gry Synnevåg
During the past six years, Noragric’s research activities were grouped in three thematic groups. At the start of 2009, in connection with drafting a new Strategic Plan for 2009- 2012, discussions were ongoing about reorganising these three groups.
The three thematic groups covered 1 Rights, conflicts and resources;
2 Biodiversity and natural resource management;
3 Agricultural development and livelihood security
Research projects and assignments undertaken by Noragric staff in 2008 are listed on the following pages, grouped according to the three thematic areas. An overview of PhD student research activities is found on pages 22-23.
Research projects and
assignments
1 Rights, conflicts and resources
Areas of focus:
• Rights, opportunities and access to natural resources for the poor
• Conflicts and post-conflict management
• Internally displaced people and forced migration
Land rights and agrarian change in rural South Africa
In partnership with the University of Oslo (Norwegian Centre of Human Rights) and the Programme for Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), University of Western Cape, South Africa Funded by: NORAD
Project period: 2008-2010 Noragric contact: Bill Derman
Land, water and poverty in Southern Africa: Breaking with the past
Funded by: Research Council of Norway Period: 2005-2008
Noragric contact: Bill Derman
In the shadow of a conflict: Impacts of Zimbabwe’s land reform on rural poverty and development in Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia
Funded by: Research Council of Norway Period: 2007-2009
Noragric contact: Bill Derman
EKOSIASA: The political ecology of wildlife and forest governance in Tanzania
Funded by: Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU) through the Norwegian Programme for Development, Research and Education (NUFU) Project period: 2007-2011
Noragric contact: Tor A. Benjaminsen
Property, possession and conflict
Funded by: Research Council of Norway and the Architecture & Design College Project period: 2007-2009
Noragric contact: Knut Nustad
EKOSIASA
This project is carried out in cooperation with Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. EKOSIASA comes from the Swahili words ‘ekologia’ and ‘siasa’ meaning ‘ecology’ and ‘politics’. The main research objec- tive is to investigate community participation and the impacts on livelihoods in cases of community-based conservation of forest and wildlife resources. EKOSIASA will also introduce political ecology to Tanzanian universities. By the end of the project period (2011), 2 staff from partner institutions will have been trained at PhD level and 8 at Master’s level, and four technicians will have received training in Geographical Infor- mation Systems. A new post-graduate course in political ecology is being developed in Tanzania, intended for both PhD and Master students. Synergies with the PAPIA project (Protected Areas and Poverty in Africa) that is led by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and financed by the Research Council of Norway, offer mutual benefits including sharing findings related to amongst others governance and poverty in relation to natural resources. PAPIA concentrates particularly on poverty aspects in relation to national parks (two in Uganda and two in Tanzania).
Noragric contact: Tor A. Benjaminsen
2 Biodiversity and natural resource management
Areas of focus:
• Effects of natural and human influences on the environment
• Natural resource management in different ecosystems
• Benefit sharing, “ownership”, capacity building, access to knowledge
Sustain.no
(An educational tool for sustainable development. The site includes activities complete with guidelines for how students can investigate, discuss and communicate their results).
Funded by: Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training Project period: 2005-2008
Noragric contact: Kjell B. Esser
Peacecorps exchange for sustainable development programme
Funded by: NORAD Project period: ongoing Noragric contact: Simon Pahle
Community participation in the implementation of the global environment conventions and poverty alleviation
Funded by: Research Council of Norway Project period: 2004-2008
Noragric contact: Gufu Oba
UNEP GRID-Arendal technical support
Funded by: UNEP-GRID Project period: 2001-2008 Noragric contact: Thor Larsen
Environment policy and human action
Funded by: Research Council of Norway Project period: 2008-2012
Noragric contact: Arild Vatn
Protected areas and poverty in Africa (PAPIA)
Funded by: Research Council of Norway Project period: 2007-2011
Noragric contact: Paul Vedeld
Coastal fisheries of Tanzania: the challenges of globalisation to resources management, livelihoods and governance
Funded by: Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU)
Coastal fisheries of Tanzania: the challenges of globalisation to resources management, livelihoods and governance
This 5-year SIU/NUFU funded project is carried out jointly between the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Noragric. The project addresses interdisciplinary research questions related to coastal fisheries resource management, incorporating a conceptual framework and an analytical approach of linked social-ecological resilience and vulnerability. Two PhD and seven Master students are linked to the project. A recent and controversial change in the Tanzanian fisheries policy allowed for export of marine finfish on a trial basis. Various ecological, social and economic effects are envisaged, with prospective “winners” and “losers”. Important issues concerning fisheries management and governance became apparent, especially due to increasing commercialisation of coastal fisheries and globalisation of trade in fish products.
The geographical focus of research will concentrate on Mafia Island, which supplies over 75% of the fish sold at the main fish market in Dar es Salaam. Results are being disseminated at seminars and conferences and will be published in refereed journals.
An active policy dialogue is being maintained with the Fisheries Division, District authorities, fishing communities, industry, and non-governmental organisations concerned with coastal fisheries and environmental issues.
Noragric contact: Ian Bryceson
through the Norwegian Programme for Development, Research and Education (NUFU) Project period: 2007-2011
Noragric contact: Ian Bryceson
3 Agricultural development and livelihood security
Areas of focus:
• Poverty reduction, rural employment, access to markets
• Governance, national policies, civil society
• Research, education, access to new technologies
Impacts of conservation agriculture in Zambia
Funded by: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Zambia National Farmers Union Project period: 2007-2011
Noragric contact: Fred H. Johnsen
Scientific advisory services to the CGIAR
Funded by: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Project period: ongoing
Noragric contact: Ruth Haug
Postwar livelihood and environment studies
Funded by: The Norwegian University Cooperation Programme for Capacity Development in Sudan (NUCOOP) through the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU)
Project period: 2007-2011 Noragric contact: Trygve Berg
Postwar livelihood and environment studies
Revival of the food producing sectors remains a major post-war priority in the Southern Sudan. Farmers and pastoralists have access to abundant land resources, but local food supply is still inadequate and the major towns depend on imported food. The complexity of the situation calls for a comprehensive study of farming communities (including both men and women) to document the situation, identify constraints, and find strategic areas of intervention. Noragric, together with partners Juba and Upper Nile universities in Sudan, are carrying out joint research, capacity building and investing in institutional development in the Sudan. Studies will be undertaken in agrarian communities with Juba University, and in pastoral areas with Upper Nile University. Environment studies are particularly geared towards the health of wetlands. The project includes two PhD and four Master students from each of the universities in the Sudan. Laboratory technicians and librarians will be trained and investments in libraries and laboratories will be made. The main laboratory invest- ment will be the equipping of an animal nutrition laboratory on the Malakal campus of Upper Nile University.
Noragric contact: Trygve Berg
Agricultural intensification impacts on soil, water and socio- economic development, Nepal
Funded by: NORAD Project period: 2003-2009 Noragric contact: Bishal Sitaula
Education, research and training in global environmental change and natural resource management in the Western Balkans
Funded by: Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU) Project period: 2006-2010
Noragric contact: Bishal Sitaula
Education, research and training for sustainable management of natural resources in Nepal
Funded by: Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU) through the Norwegian Programme for Development, Research and Education (NUFU) Project period: 2007-2011
Noragric contact: Bishal Sitaula
Research projects and assignments under the norad frame agreement
The main areas of expertise contributed by Noragric under the collaboration (frame) agreement with Norad and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs are sustainable production systems, conservation and use of genetic resources, food security and poverty reduction, capacity strengthening and management of natural resources. The studies have provided opportunities for generating new knowledge and strengthening capacity both in Norway and among partners in the South in areas of high policy relevance such as climate change, energy, trade and high food prices.
Some projects and studies involving Noragric staff in 2008 under the frame agreement were:
· Study on trade, environment and development: Import of flowers from Africa to Norway. Team leader: Ruth Haug (see Noragric Report No. 43).
· Evaluation of the Mount Elgon Regional Conservation Programme (MERECEP), April. Team leader: Thor S. Larsen (see Noragric Report No.
44)
· Preparatory activities for a workshop to initiate areas for capacity building and cooperation through a triangular collaboration between Noragric, the University of Kabul and COMSATS, Pakistan. Project leader: Gry
Synnevåg (workshop report printed as Noragric Report No.47)
· Four country desk studies focusing on agriculture, forestry, climate change, energy:
`Climate change trends, policies and initiatives in Tanzania’ by Tor A. Benjaminsen, Ian Bryceson and Faustin Maganga (Institute of Resource Assessment, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania)
`Agriculture, forest and biofuels in Mozambique’ by Randi Kaarhus `Food production, climate change, forest and energy in Southern Sudan’ by Trygve Berg
`Climate change and biofuels: What role might biofuels play in supplying Zambia with energy?’ by Jens Aune
Africa
Hawassa University, Ethiopia Mekelle University, Ethiopia
Department of Political Science and International Relations, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Programme for Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), University of Western Cape, South Africa
Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi
Catholic University of Mozambique Upper Nile University, Sudan Juba University, Sudan
Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Makerere University, Uganda
Conservation Farming Unit of Zambia National Farmers Union, Zambia University of Zambia
Institutional cooperation
Asia
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), India
Green Foundation, India Tribhuvan University, Nepal Kathmandu University, Nepal COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Pakistan
University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka Eastern University, Sri Lanka
Americas
Instituto Socioambiental (ISA), Brazil EARTH University, Costa Rica
University of British Columbia, Canada
Europe
Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania University of Banja Luka, Bosnia &
Herzegovina
University of Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina University of Sarajevo, Bosnia &
Herzegovina
University of Dz. B. of Mostar, Bosnia &
Herzegovina
University of Osijek, Croatia University of Pristina, Kosovo
University of St. Cyril and Methodius, Macedonia
University of Belgrade, Serbia University of Novi Sad, Serbia
University of Montenegro, Montenegro University of East Anglia, United Kingdom Noragric has agreements with more than 30 partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Most of these are with universities; some are with civil society organisations, research foundations and pu- blic institutions. The activities include joint research and education as well as support to institutional development.
Institutional collaboration activities in 2008 are linked to the universities and institutions listed below.
An overview of a wide range of networks and partners can be found on the Noragric website. Many of these are involved in ongoing or short-term collaboration projects.
Europe
Agricultural University of Tirana, Albania University of Banja Luka, Bosnia &
Herzegovina
University of Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina University of Sarajevo, Bosnia &
Herzegovina
University of Dz. B. of Mostar, Bosnia &
Herzegovina
University of Osijek, Croatia University of Pristina, Kosovo
University of St. Cyril and Methodius, Macedonia
University of Belgrade, Serbia University of Novi Sad, Serbia
University of Montenegro, Montenegro University of East Anglia, United Kingdom Noragric has agreements with more than 30 partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Most of these are with universities; some are with civil society organisations, research foundations and pu- blic institutions. The activities include joint research and education as well as support to institutional development.
Institutional collaboration activities in 2008 are linked to the universities and institutions listed below.
An overview of a wide range of networks and partners can be found on the Noragric website. Many of these are involved in ongoing or short-term collaboration projects.
Major institutional collaboration activities in 2008
Institutional collaboration between academic institutions in agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine in Norway and Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia & Montenegro - West Balkan
Funded by: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Period: 2006-2009
Noragric contact: Mensur Vegara
Programme for Agricultural and Natural Resources
Transformation for Improved Livelihood (PANTIL), collaboration with Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Funded by: Royal Norwegian Embassy/Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Period: 2005-2009
Noragric contact: Lars Olav Eik
Agricultural Research and Development Programme – ARDEP, Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi
Funded by: Royal Norwegian Embassy/Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Project period: 2006-2010
Noragric contact: Poul Wisborg
Bunda Capacity Building Programme – BCDP, Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi
Funded by: Royal Norwegian Embassy/Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Project period: 2006-2010
Noragric contact: Poul Wisborg
ATREE
(Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment) collaboration Funded by: Royal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi, IndiaProject period: 2007-2011 Noragric contact: Bishal Sitaula
Institutional collaboration between Mekelle and Hawassa universities (Ethiopia) and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. An academic partnership for improving livelihoods.
Funded by: Royal Norwegian Embassy/Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Project period: 2002-2009 (phases I and II)
Noragric contact: Stein R. Moe
Education
Phd programme in development studies
Noragric offers a PhD programme in Development Studies that is closely linked to the three scientific areas under the Strategic Plan 2002-2008 (see page 6): Rights, Conflict and Resources; Agricultural Development and Livelihood Security; and Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management. The programme places particular emphasis on environment-devel- opment relations. At the end of 2008, Noragric had 26 PhD students. 14 have obtained their degrees since 1999.
PhD defences in 2008 Three students successfully defended their dissertations in 2008:
Hassan Guyo Roba (Kenya) and Boku Tache Dida (Ethiopia) in August, and Ayele Tessema Jufare (Ethiopia) in December.
New PhD admissions Noragric admitted 8 new students to the PhD programme in 2008.
These are Progress Hanzwida Nyanga (Zambia); Bridget Bwalya Umar (Zambia); Marianne Aasen (Norway); Nani Raut (Nepal); Victoria Moshy (Tanzania); Lydia Gaspare (Tanzania);
Lars Kåre Grimsby (Norway); and Øyvind Eggen (Norway).
Master programmes
The two Master programmes maintained their popularity among applicants in 2008.
Noragric was pleased to see an increasing interest from students in Europe, North America and China. This expansion of the regional diversity of the student body beyond the traditional two groups from Norway and developing countries is highly welcome. Together with the new Bachelor students, forty nations were represented on the first day of class in August, which is a new geographical record for the department.
After some changes in the course portfolio in 2007, this year has seen a consolidation of the existing course programme. The department offers 40 courses in the field of environment and development. Each course is attended by an average of 32 students.
International Environmental Studies (IES) In 2008, the university increased its allotted stu- dent seats for the IES programme from 20 in 2007 to 30 students. The expansion was easy to fill because the number of international applicants remained very high and the number of Norwegian qualified applicants more than doubled from last year. A total of 72 applicants were offered admission, of which 31 accepted and started their studies in August. Consider- ing the recent world-wide attention to climate change, the IES programme’s focus on global environmental governance has become highly relevant.
Development Studies (DS) The Development Studies programme remains relevant and popular. The number of allotted student seats was increased by the university from 25 to 30 students. A total of 68 students were offered admission, but only 25 arrived and started the programme. In retrospect, a greater overbooking is advisable considering the high number of qualified students.
The programme’s focus on social science perspectives of development with emphasis on peace, conflict, land rights, natural resources and ecology, attracts a broad range of students.
The different disciplinary backgrounds among the enrolled students provide both an oppor- tunity and a challenge for students and teachers alike.
Bachelor programme
May 2008 saw the first batch of graduating students from the Bachelor programme in Development Studies. Based on the students’ experience, the programme has been im- proved every year. The high degree of flexibility within the programme and the diversity among the students clearly indicate the need for better guidance of the students. There is also a need for better career advising. Half of the graduates continued at UMB for a Master’s degree.
The allotted number of seats was increased from 35 in 2007 to 40 in 2008. Although the number of first priority applicants increased from 189 to 216, and the number of offered admissions was increased from 68 to 75, only 36 students started the programme. As for the Master programmes, a higher overbooking might be advisable for next year.
Studies abroad
Bachelor students at Noragric are offered to take a semester at one of our partner univer- sities in the South. These include Makerere University (Uganda), Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), Institute of Forestry/Tribhuvan University (Nepal) and EARTH University (Costa Rica).
In 2008, 10 students in the Bachelor programme spent a semester abroad: 8 at Makerere University and 2 at EARTH University.
Thirty-three students from the two Master programmes at Noragric attended our two- month field course, 24 at Makerere University and 9 at the Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University.
Norad Programme for Master Studies (NOMA)
NOMA provides financial support to develop and run Master degree programmes at universi- ties in the South through collaboration with Norwegian institutions of higher education. The NOMA programme is funded through the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU). Noragric is the main partner in two NOMA programmes and partner in a third.
Master programme in Environment Education and Sustainable Development
With experience from the Postgraduate Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Develop- ment already running at Kathmandu University (KU), the Master programme will develop teacher education programmes in subjects which are cross-cutting, and help fulfil the demand of teachers and teacher educators in the areas of environment and sustainable development.
Partners: Noragric, Kathmandu University (Nepal), University of Dhaka (Bangladesh), Oslo University College
Project period: 2008-2012 Noragric contact: Bishal Sitaula
Master programme in Conflict, Peace and Development Studies
The overall objective of this programme is to contribute to higher level capacity building in conflict management, peace building and development as an integrated field with a view to assist the rebuilding and long-term development of war-torn communities and regions in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Partners: Noragric, Tribhuvan University (Nepal), University of Ruhuna (Sri Lanka) Project period: 2006-2012
Noragric contact: Bishal Sitaula
Master programme in Sustainable Water and Sanitation, Health and Development
The programme will educate and train professionals in the field of sustainable water and san- itation to facilitate improved access to a healthy environment. This will be achieved through offering courses in water and sanitation as well as community development and public health related to water and sanitation.
Partners: UMB Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Tribhuvan University (Nepal), Noragric
Project period: 2007-2011
Noragric contacts: Bishal Sitaula and Ingrid Nyborg
Phd students at noragric in 2008
topic/Student Supervisor(s)
Deforestation in the Himalayas: A case study from Northern Pakistan.
Jawad Ali (Pakistan) Defended in 2009
Tor A. Benjaminsen/
Ingrid Nyborg
Impacts of agricultural intensification on socio- economic conditions and implications for soil and water quality in Kavre district, Nepal.
Bed Mani Dahal (Nepal)
Bishal Sitaula/
Ingrid Nyborg/
Roshan M. Bajracharya (Kathmandu
University) Environment and poverty linkages and local
perceptions of poverty and poverty alleviations among Boorana pastoralists in Southern Ethiopia.
Boku Tache Dida (Ethiopia) Defended in August
Espen Sjaastad/
Leif O. Manger (University of Bergen)
Perceptions of landscape changes among stock farmers in Namaqualand, South Africa.
Eirin Hongslo (Norway)
Tor A. Benjaminsen/
Randi Kaarhus
Land tenure, common property resources and local participation in tourism development (Mozambique).
Hanne Haaland (Norway) Defended in 2009
Kjersti Larsen
Farmers first: Participatory knowledge generation in Ecuador.
Elisabeth Molteberg (Norway)
Randi Kaarhus
Carbon sequestration schemes: Effects on management of tree resources and rural poverty in Uganda.
Charlotte Nakakaawa (Uganda)
Paul Vedeld/
Jens Aune
Integration of ecological and indigenous knowledge assessments of long term environmental changes in and around settlements in two arid and sub humid rangeland sites in Northern Kenya.
Hassan Guyo Roba (Kenya) Defended in August
Gufu Oba
Politics, property rights and production in Arsi and East Shewa Zones, Ethiopia (1941-2004).
Hussein Jemma Sheymo (Ethiopia)
N. Shanmugaratnam/
Espen Sjaastad/
S. Pausewang (Chr.
Michelsen Institute) Conflicts and decentralized forest management
in Ethiopia: The case of Shahemene Forest Industry Enterprise.
Abebe Seifu Welde Tsadik (Ethiopia)
Paul Vedeld
topic/Student Supervisor(s)
Household livelihood adaptation in a high population density area in Ethiopia: The case of Wolaita Zone.
Ayele Tessema Jufare (Ethiopia). Defended in December
N. Shanmugaratnam
Transgressing economic boundaries: Gender, commodification and social change in Zanzibar.
Hege Wallevik (Norway)
Kjersti Larsen/
Ian Bryceson
Institutional analyses of transboundary biodiversity management: Protected areas on Mt. Elgon, Uganda and Kenya.
Jon Geir Petursson (Iceland)
Paul Vedeld
Social environmental history of the Tula wells in Borana, Southern Ethiopia: 18th century to 21st century.
Waktole Tiki Uma (Ethiopia)
Gufu Oba
The transformation of Waso Booran pastoral production, crisis and recovery:
An assessment of gender roles, land rights and poverty alleviation.
Zeinabu Khalif (Kenya)
Gufu Oba
After Doha: Bringing the rights back in? A strategic choice exploration of prospects for a social clause in the WTO, identifying enabling modalities by mapping stakeholder positions in Indian and Brazilian agriculture.
Simon Pahle (Norway)
N. Shanmugaratnam
Health consequences of civil war.
Christin Ormhaug (Norway) Espen Sjaastad/
Håvard Hegre (International Peace Research Institute, Oslo-PRIO) The rise of political islam and the global war on
terror: The case study of Somalia.
Mohammed A. Guyo (Kenya)
N. Shanmugaratnam/
Knut Nustad
Environmental and health impacts of pesticide use in mid-hill watershed of central Nepal.
Kishor Atreya (Nepal)
Bishal K. Sitaula/
Fred H. Johnsen/
Cassandra Bergstrøm/
Hans Overgaard/
Roshan Man Bajracharya
(Kathmandu University)/
Subodh Sharma (Kathmandu University)
topic/Student Supervisor(s)
The political ecology of conservation of the mountain gorilla at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.
David Tumusiime (Uganda)
Tor A. Benjaminsen/
Espen Sjaastad/
Hanne Svarstad (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research- NINA)
Actors & Discourses: Conflicting claims to the Dukuduku Forest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Frode Sundnes (Norway)
Knut Nustad/
Tor Arve Benjaminsen/
Espen Sjaastad Reversing household food insecurity through
conservation agriculture: Socio-economic impact of conservation farming practices among small scale farmers in Zambia.
Progress H. Nyanga (Zambia)
Fred H. Johnsen/
Jens Aune
Reversing environmental degradation in Zambia through conservation agriculture.
Bridget Bwalya Umar (Zambia)
Jens Aune/
Fred H. Johnsen
Social-ecological changes affecting the livelihoods of fishing communities in the current epoch of globalization: A case study in Mafia Island, Tanzania.
Victoria Moshy (Tanzania)
Ian Bryceson
topic/Student Supervisor(s)
The effects of increased fishing pressure on the ecological resilience of targeted groupers (Serranidae) and analysis of impacts on livelihoods in fishing communities of Mafia Island, Tanzania
Lydia Gaspare (Tanzania)
Ian Bryceson
Biofuel production in Africa.
Lars Kåre Grimsby (Norway) Jens Aune
Can a combination of policy instruments increase the effectiveness and public acceptability of environmental policies?
Marianne Aasen (Norway)
Arild Vatn/
Hege Westskog (Center for
International Climate and Environmental Research-CICERO) Impact of agricultural intensification on
biodiversity loss, soil quality and climate gas emission: A comparative study from Nepal and India.
Nani Raut (Nepal)
Bishal Sitaula
State formation and the impact of foreign aid.
Øyvind Eggen (Norway) Knut Nustad/
Stein S. Eriksen (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs-NUPI)
Hassan Guyo Roba Ayele Tessema Jufare Boku Tache Dida
REDD: using forests as carbon sinks
A study is being done under the Norad frame agreement linked to REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). The focus of the study is on the role of forests as sinks and sources of carbon emissions, and the potential for reduced emissions and increased development. One of the aims of the study is to evaluate a set of core challenges concerning the implementation of Norwegian- funded REDD projects. The study will also make recommendations for future policies including check-lists and monitoring efforts related to the Norwegian action plan for REDD. In order to promote early action on REDD, Norway has launched a comprehensive International Forest and Climate Initiative in 2008 with an annual budget of approx. 3 billion NOK (500 million USD). One of the goals under this initiative is to promote the conservation of natural forests to maintain their carbon storage capacity. In 2008 Noragric also delivered project proposals under REDD to Norad linked to the International Forest and Climate Initiative, two of which have been approved and will start in 2009.
Noragric contacts: Arild Vatn and Paul Vedeld
Global Seed Vault
On 25 February, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault was opened with much inter- national media attention. The Vault is built to provide the best possible safety for the world’s crop diversity and houses some 2 billion seeds from all over the world. Noragric’s Prof. Cary Fowler, who has taken a leave of absence to head the Global Crop Diversity Trust which provides support to the Vault, participated at the opening which was attended by many VIP guests, including the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, and 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Wan- gari Maathai. Dr Gunnvor Berge represented Noragric at the opening. Prof Ruth Haug is member of the Council of the Global Seed Vault.
Thor Heyerdahl professorship
Prof. Arild Vatn received the Thor Heyerdahl professorship in May, a 4-year position which will build an academic platform in environment and development through interdisciplinary and problem-oriented approaches and through scientific collabora- tion between different departments at UMB and national and international insti- tutions. Special focus will be on governance issues related specifically to climate change and loss of biodiversity where aspects concerning secure and sustainable livelihoods will be of core interest. The 4-year professorship is funded equally with NOK 4.6 million by Noragric and the Thor Heyerdahl Institute. The objective of the Heyerdahl Institute is to promote and develop the research and development ideals that were central to Thor Heyerdahl’s life and work. Heyerdahl is one of Norway’s most famous explorers who captivated much of the world with his Kon-Tiki expedi- tion in 1947 and other expeditions later. The establishment of a professorship in his name contributes to research methodology based on interdisciplinary expertise.
Library
The Noragric library is part of the total library resources at UMB yet the collec- tion and library staff’s competence are developed to match Noragric’s research and education programmes, as well as the needs of its primary users, the students.
Cooperation continued with Eldis (http://www.eldis.org/norway/) on producing the Eldis Norway resource guide and biweekly e-mail reporter, which highlight the latest full text documents produced in Norway on agricultural and environ- mental issues affecting developing countries.
Cooperation continued with the library at Bunda College of Agriculture,
University of Malawi, and planning started for visits by the Bunda library staff to Noragric in 2009.
Extra funding was granted to fill gaps in the collections, which resulted in better coverage in some of the new areas of research and education.
Publications in 2008
Publications by scientific staff amounted to 191 entries in Forskdok (the Norwegian national database of registered research publications and projects). This included 33 peer reviewed articles, 15 chapters in scientific anthologies, 16 interviews of a popular scientific character, and 4 articles in newspapers.In addition, Professor Tor A. Benjaminsen received most publication points at UMB in 2008. He wrote five articles in academic journals which amount to 8.5 publication points. Prof. Benjaminsen is followed by Professor Arild Vatn (4.2 points). Of the 30 authors on the list, six are staff/PhD student at Noragric. Dr Lars Olav Eik tops the list of scientific staff with most publications overall in 2008.
An overview of all publications in 2008 can be found on the Noragric website, link to Publications.
Management
Ruth Haug, Head of Department (until 01.09.08) Gry Synnevåg, Head of Department (from 01.09.08) Kjell Esser, Head of Education
N. Shanmugaratnam, Head of Research Anne Kiøsterud, Head of Personnel
Research and Education staff
Jens B. AuneTor A. Benjaminsen Trygve Berg
Gunnvor Berge (on leave 1.08.08-31.07.2012) Cassandra Bergstrøm
Stein Bie Ian Bryceson Bill Derman Lars Olav Eik Kjell Esser
Cary Fowler (on leave until 2010) Fred H. Johnsen
Randi Kaarhus (sabbatical until 15.12.08) Darley Kjosavik
Kjersti Larsen (until 31.08.08) Thor S. Larsen
Stein R. Moe Knut Nustad
Ingrid Nyborg (one year sabbatical from 01.08.08) Gufu Oba
Carl-Erik Schulz (1.09.08-30.11.08) N. Shanmugaratnam
Bishal Sitaula Espen Sjaastad Arild Vatn
Paul Vedeld Mensur Vegara
Poul Wisborg (60% leave 15.08.08-15.08.2010)
Coordinators Research and Education programmes
Ingunn Andersen (Master programmes coordinator) Ingrid Ohna (trainee until 15.06.08)
Kristin Narum (trainee from 04.08.08)
Rebekka Øvstegård (PhD programme coordinator) Josie Teurlings (on leave until June 2009)
Mariela Tyrihjell (Bachelor programme coordinator, until 31.08.08)
Kjersti Thorkildsen (Peacecorps participant)
Personnel, Accounts and Finances
Susan BrosstadSidsel Gulbrandsen Anne Kiøsterud Peter Bjørn Nielsen
Information Management
Joanna Boddens-Hosang Ingeborg BrandtzægAnders Dysvik (from 01.02.08) Liv Ellingsen
Evy Jørgensen
Anne Marthe Leinebø (until 01.03.08) Lars Øimoen (until 15.10.08)
Internal Services
Torunn LindstadMads Nordahl (until 15.08.08) Per Christian Stokstad
Staff
Noragric was deeply saddened by the death of Professor Carl-Erik Schulz on 30
November who lost his life in a hiking accident in Cape Town, South Africa. Prof. Schulz started at Noragric on 1 September as Professor in Development Studies and was re- sponsible for the Master programme in Development Studies.
Accounts in 2008 (in 1,000 NOK);
Income
Core funds UMB 12, 043
Other funds UMB 4, 733
Income from external clients 12, 524
Total income 29, 300
Expenses
Salaries incl. stipends 21, 065
Running expenses 6, 850
Total expenses 27, 915
Surplus for 2008 1, 385
Expenses covered by funds 2, 300
Funds from 2008, transferred to 2009 -3, 071
Corrected surplus for 2008 614
(used for sabbaticals in 2009)
Financial overview
In 2008, Noragric received approximately 57% of its total income as core funds and other funds from UMB, and earned 43% through external funded projects (research, advisory and education projects funded by national and international partners).
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