We are pleased to highlight a flagship activity of the project Joint Learning for Food Security: Extension, Agroecology and Rural Transformation (NORPART-EAT). In the field course Environment, Development and Climate Change in Tanzania, students embarked on an experiential, cross-cultural academic exchange designed to link theoretical knowledge and practical realities in sustainable food systems and rural development.

This initiative is part of the NORPART-EAT partnership between the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), and Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT). It aims to enhance food security through joint learning, participatory extension, and agroecological transformation.

Course Goals and Approach

The restructured field course, Environment, Development and Climate Change in Tanzania, prioritizes:

• Agroecology and sustainability
• Community-driven development
• Participatory learning with Tanzanian farmers

Students engage directly with environmental challenges and local responses to climate change, facilitating interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue while building practical skills in sustainable agriculture.

Field Component: 4-6 May 2025 at SAT Farmer Training Centre, Vianzi

The field course was hosted at Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania’s (SAT) Farmer Training Centre (FTC) in Vianzi, Morogoro. This year, 25 students from NMBU and SUA), along with facilitators from SAT, took part in a three-day program packed with action and reflection.

Activities included:

• Biofertilizer and biopesticide production using plant-based and organic inputs
• Compost making and preparation of “manure tea”
• Exploration of biodiversity’s role in agroecological farming systems
• A guided tour of SAT’s seed bank and organic processing facilities
• Cultural exchange through an evening event featuring local music and dance

The hands-on training was led by SAT agroecology experts, including a practical composting session and lectures on pathways to promote agroecology in Tanzania.

Student Experiences and Insights

Students expressed deep appreciation for the immersive nature of the training and the opportunity to learn from local communities.

Elias (NMBU): “Agroecological practices are incredibly adaptable. They mimic natural systems and help farmers overcome constraints like water shortages or livestock diseases.”

Veronica (SUA): “I gained my first hands-on experience making biofertilizers and biopesticides. Seeing the seed bank helped me understand how to preserve traditional seeds – essential for seed sovereignty.”

Alissa (NMBU): “I was fascinated by every process. It was exciting to work in the field and inspiring to see how SAT includes women and people with disabilities. I hope to return!”

Transforming Food Systems through Joint Learning

The field course not only enriched student understanding but also strengthened the foundation for continued South-North collaboration in education and research for food systems transformation. Through direct engagement with SAT’s training modules, including internships and farmer training, students left with a renewed belief in the potential of agroecology to drive sustainable food systems – at scale.

As the students continue their journey at SUA, the relationships built and lessons learned at SAT’s Farmer Training Centre will ripple into their academic and professional paths – fueling a global movement for agroecological transformation.