Global FEWture Summer Interns in Tanzania 2024

Zamila Juma Mohamed

Zamila Juma Mohamed, a second-year student undertaking a bachelor's degree in Agribusiness Management and Technology at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST). My research interests are based on the assessment of the impacts of climatic change on agricultural production. Currently working at AITeC farm in Dodoma which aims to transform Tanzania's agricultural sector and contribute to the eradication of thirst, hunger, and poverty and enhance nutrition. I am under the supervision of Mr David Zukerman. The main tasks involve crop protection and marketing, irrigation and fertigation, grapes projects, and extension. I hope this experience will help me to gain knowledge and skills about advanced technologies used in Agriculture which will enable me to contribute to poverty reduction and insurance of food security in my country.

Moureen Medard Mtena

Moureen Medard Mtena is a second-year student at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST), majoring in a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology. Her research interest focuses on assessing the effect of pollutants on agricultural water, soil nutrition, and future productivity. She is conducting her internship at the Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Microbiology Laboratory- MUST, under the supervision of Ibinyika Amokeodo who's investigating the presence of pollutants (microbial, chemical, and physical) in irrigation water sources in Mbeya Region, Tanzania. By participating in the CONSERVE/DAWN Summer Internship Program, Moureen aims to gain valuable insights into both chemical and microbial quality testing of water utilized in irrigation and its impact on future agricultural productivity.

Michael Joseph Komba

Michael Joseph Komba, a student of Mbeya University of Science And Technology (MUST), Tanzania, East Africa. Majoring in Agribusiness Management And Technology as a Sophomore student. My personal research interest topic is assessing the challenges of food insecurity and modern ways to increase Agricultural production as to enhancing food security. Mr. David Zukerman is my intern supervisor in this Global FEWture Summer Internship Program at CultivAid- Tanzania. My specific research project during the internship is Knowledge-Based Development On the Production Of Horticultural Crops, Grapes, and Extension Service. At the end of this Global FEWture Alliance Internship Program, I expect to gain practical experience in sustainable agriculture, crop management water conservation, food security, and community development, directly impacting local communities.

Joshua White Martin

Joshua White Martin, a second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST)- Mbeya, Tanzania. His research interests are on ways to enhance food security through effective means of crop production and sustainable agricultural systems. During the 2024 Global FEWture Alliance Summer Internship, he's dealing with knowledge-based development on the production of horticultural crops (fruits and vegs) under the supervision of Mr David Zukerman, the Director of CultivAid Organization in Tanzania. By the end of which, he expects to be aware of the technological know-how on vegetables and fruit production and he's furious to start a small farm for practices.

John Macheye

My name is JOHN MACHEYE a second-year student at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Tanzania, East Africa, pursuing a Bachelor of agribusiness management and technology. My research interest is the Adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices towards increased agricultural productivity and sustainability. In the 2024 Global FEWture Alliance summer internship, am working on a horticultural crops (vegetables and fruits) production project under the supervision of Mr. David Zukerman, a country director of CultivAID-Tanzania. At the end of this internship, I expect to acquire knowledge and hands-on skills in horticulture crop production and its related production techniques in improving the social, economic, and health standards of the people. My future career goal is to pursue higher degrees (i.e., master’s and PhD) in areas of the agricultural value chain to increase farming profitability and sustability.

Kimndala Leteo

Kimndala Leteo, a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Agribusiness Management and Technology (BAMT) from Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST), 2024, Tanzania, East Africa. His research interest involves the accessibility of agricultural inputs and its impact on vegetable production. He is working on the characterization of microbial pollutants of irrigation water in Tanzania. The project aimed to investigate and analyze the presence of microbial pollutants in irrigation water sources with Dr. Marco Mng’ong’o, Dr. Eliezer Mwakalapa from Mbeya University of Science and Technology and Ibinyika Mary Amokeodo from the University of Maryland. His goal for this internship is to gain practical experience in identifying and characterizing microbial contaminants, which is essential for improving water quality and ensuring safe agricultural practices. Through the exposure to real-life research projects, he wants to learn more about environmental impact, microbial ecology and water quality assessment techniques purposely for improving farmer’s productivity.

Godwin Mkama

Godwin Mkama, a second-year student at Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Tanzania. Majoring in Agribusiness Management and Technology. Currently, I am working at AITEC farm in Dodoma, under Mr. David Zukerman a Country Director of Cultivaid in Tanzania. I plan to advance my career by doing an advanced degree i.e. Masters and PhD after completing my BSc. My research interests focus on Off Grid technologies like Agri-Voltaics to meet the Food, energy, and water needs of Rural communities, Agriculture, and natural sciences. The specific research projects during the internship are knowledge-based development on the production of horticultural crops, grapes, and extension services. Through the 2024 Global FEWture Alliance Summer Internship program I hope to gain Agri-tech solutions for Rural community agri-projects, Israel knowledge, and technology for commercial farm development.

Bazizan Malingo Rugumbahya

Bazizan Malingo Rugumbahya, a second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Agribusiness Management and Technology at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Tanzania. My research interests are in Sustainable Agriculture. During the 2024 Global FEWture Alliance Summer internship, I am dealing with knowledge development based on the production of horticultural crops (Vegetables and fruits) under the supervision of Mr. David Zukerman a country director at CultivAid-Tanzania. By the end of the internship, I expect to be aware of the sustainable production of Vegetables and fruits and the application of the modern technologies utilized in production, all of these will enable me to establish some farms and provide technical support to the communities that practice agricultural activities.

Beatrice Michael

Beatrice Michael, is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology (BSFST) from Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST), 2024, Tanzania, East Africa. Her personal research interest is understanding the complex microbial interactions and biochemical processes that contribute to the unique flavors, textures, and nutritional properties of fermented foods. Particularly interested in harnessing the potential of fermentation to create innovative and sustainable food products that are both delicious and beneficial to human health. Her goal is to contribute to the advancement of fermented food technology and to promote a greater appreciation for the rich cultural heritage and nutritional value of these ancient culinary traditions. The research project of the internship was to assess the chemical contaminants in surface and groundwater used for irrigation and to investigate the presence of fecal indicator bacteria, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and bacterial diversity in water sources using culture and metagenomics techniques. The project was conducted at Mbeya University of Science and Technology in Mbeya under the supervision of Ibinyika Mary Amokeodo from the University of Maryland and the assistance of Dr. Marco Mng’ong’o and Dr. Eliezer Mwakalapa from Mbeya University of Science and Technology. Her goal during the internship is to gain practical experience and knowledge that will build her career path, also organizing programs to sensitize the agricultural workers in her society concerning proper agricultural practices in order to change the incorrect perceptions of agricultural workers in Mbeya regarding the risks of using contaminated irrigation water.