August 2011 Bulletin - Biggleswade Rugby Club

TEL: 01234 843905 ADVERTISING: advertising@biggleswadebulletin.co.uk BIGGLESWADE BULLETIN AUGUST 2011 21Taking home knowledge and skillsAFRICAN farmers are to takehome knowledge and skillsgained in the English countrysideof Shuttleworth College inBedfordshire.Eight students spent sevenweeks at Shuttleworth College inOld Warden, Bedfordshire on anagricultural course where theylearned vocational skills in animaland crop husbandry, machineryoperations and business development.The knowledge, skills andexperience they gained has beentaken back to Africa to share withthe farming communities andindustries in their home countriesof Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria,Rwanda and Tanzania.These students are the first tojoin Shuttleworth College in agroundbreaking partnership withthe Marshal Papworth Trustthrough the East of EnglandAgricultural Society. The studentshave been awarded scholarshipsby the Marshal Papworth Trust tofurther their education and developtheir skills in order to benefittheir own communities in Africa.Bronwen Bray, AssistantDirector of Land and Environmentat Shuttleworth College,explained: “This is a fantasticopportunity for ShuttleworthCollege to be involved in an internationalproject and partnership.The students from Africa have anopportunity to look at differentways of using equipment and livestockwhich they can take back tofarms in Africa. The students weretaught by our experienced staffand had the opportunity to learnabout appropriate machinery aswell as state of the art Agriculturalmachinery in partnership withCaseIH.“It also gives all our studentsthe chance to broaden their thinkingon farming and understand differentagricultural practices usedacross the world, whether they arefrom Bedfordshire or Africa.”The new InternationalPartnership for ShuttleworthCollege marks the 10th anniversaryof the Marshal PapworthTrust.During 2001 the late MarshalPapworth bequeathed a trust fundto be managed by the East ofEngland Agricultural Society forthe benefit of educating overseasstudents. A HuntingdonshireFarmer and Member of the East ofEngland Agricultural SocietyMarshal’s vision was to help them,help themselves. To date over 70overseas students have receivedscholarships through this Trust.Paul Wallwork, ChiefExecutive of the East of EnglandAgricultural Society said: “Thatone person can create such a lastinglegacy by doing somethingthat is relatively simple but so radicallydifferent makes me standback and question my own way ofthinking about life. What is myown contribution to this world andwhat legacy will I leave behind? Itis an honour for the East ofEngland Agricultural Society to bebequeathed so much money by along standing Member who issadly missed and yet to be able tocontinue his good work on hisbehalf through the MarshalPapworth Trust.”James Parrish, Trustee of theMarshal Papworth Trust said: “Iam very proud to be involved withthe Marshall Papworth Trust andto be able see the students’ passionand enthusiasm for learninginspired by the training and differentexperiences they receive whilstin the UK. Things we take forgranted like a train journey areoften the first time for many of thestudents. It is very humbling to seethe personal sacrifices that studentsmake to take up the scholarshipopportunity - away from theirfamilies, in such a different culture- however they realise how theexperiences will be life changingand they will be able to use theirtraining and development to makea vital impact in their countriesand communities when they returnhome.”The students are already reapingthe benefits of the course theyjoined in April and commented ontheir experiences:Bridget Nkor of Nigeria: “Thecourse has been very rewarding,with an excellent method of teaching,combining discussion andpractical sessions. We will takethis experience back home and ifwe put into practice what we havelearnt then the agriculture practicein our home countries will changefor the better. The farm visits, soilanalysis and crop rotation haveshown how to get the best from theland.”Haruna Dauda of Ghana: “Thehands-on experience we havelearnt about farm machinery hasbeen excellent. Before now theonly tractor I had seen was a picturein a book!“It is important that we put thisexperience into practice so that wecan push agriculture forward inour countries. Many of our farmersdepend on subsistence farmingbut, whatever the size of land cultivated,crop rotation would makethe best of that land.Uswege Mwakahesya ofTanzania: “I will be advising mygovernment to look at food processingand storage to make surethat fresh produce reaches marketplaces in good condition and witha long life.”Grace Ruzindana of Rwanda:“I have learnt so much that I cantake back to my country, includingmore information about producingcrops and food - and learningto drive tractors!“The business classes havebeen really helpful in teaching ushow to sell and market the foodsthat we produce.”The Shuttleworth College andMarshal Papworth TrustVocational Diploma in Agriculturecontinues until 19 June, when thestudents will attend the East ofEngland Show for a farewell celebrationbefore returning to Africawith skills, knowledge and experiencelearnt at ShuttleworthCollege.Farewell following presentation of certificates at The Mansion House, part of the Shuttleworth Estate. Theymet with the late Marshal Papworth’s brother Stuart and the Chair of the MP Trust Charles Reynolds.