PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (June 25, 2024) – Kwaku Addo, Ph.D., has been awarded $598,165 in grant funding by the USDA-NIFA (United States Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Addo is a Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Department Head in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at Prairie View A&M University.
Peter Ampim, Ph.D., Ripendra Awal, Ph.D., Noel Estwick, Ph.D., Ali Fares, Ph.D., and Ram Ray, Ph.D., will serve as the Co-Principal Investigators for this project.
The proposed project aims to develop an advanced research platform to implement climate-smart agricultural practices and support a new MS degree program at Prairie View A&M University. The primary goals are to: (i) quantify the impact of flood and drought on food security and climate, (ii) create new experiential learning opportunities for students, and (iii) enhance student recruitment and retention to produce a skilled workforce. Addressing drought and flood stresses is essential for understanding their effects on crop production, food security, and climate change.
The College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources at PVAMU has introduced a new MS degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES). However, building a substantial student body in this program remains challenging. This project aims to bolster CAFNR’s capacity to increase student enrollment and retention. By integrating advanced research methods with experiential learning, the project will enhance education for both graduate and undergraduate students, improve student recruitment and retention, and expand the skilled workforce in agriculture and related fields.
By Joe McGinty