Africa is known for their reliance on agriculture. “More than 60% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa,” reported McKinsey “is smallholder farmers, and about 23% of sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP comes from agriculture.”
The next word McKinsey said really caught me, they said, “Yet, Africa’s full agricultural potential remains untapped.” To worsen the case Africa has the lowest agriculture productivity per worker rates, which means they provide the least result per worker.
This is not because of laziness (you and I know that Africans are very hardworking), but majorly because of a lack of technology, investment, and education. Speaking of education, Africans have started realizing the importance of getting a degree to help in the Agricultural industry.
However, the price for it is not that cheap, some of them are either left to pause their education, depending on other sources for education (like scholarships), or look for other sources of income. The good news is that we brought together various agricultural scholarships for African students that you can apply for and reduce the financial burden.
Moreover, if you’re not too sure you want to further your career in Agriculture, and want to pursue a pilot-related career, you can look out for Scholarships for African Students in Aviation.
Before we list these Agriculture Scholarships, let’s first list a few benefits of these scholarships and then list some of their requirements.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Agricultural Scholarships for African Students
- One of the biggest benefits of agriculture scholarships for African students is that it reduces or eliminates your financial burden, depending on the one you won.
- Secondly, you don’t have to accumulate loans after graduation.
- Also, you have the chance to study abroad, which opens the door to a more developed education
- You will have access to some other privileges like free conferences, free trips, etc.
- It increases the chances of getting employed immediately after graduation.
Now we’ve discussed these benefits, let’s list their requirements.
Requirements to Apply for an Agricultural Scholarship in Africa
There are always 5 primary requirements that most institutions and organizations demand while applying for agricultural scholarships, they include;
- Result certificate of previous education
- Transcript of previous education
- Language proficiency result
- Letter(s) of Recommendation
- Motivation letter
Agricultural Scholarships for African Students
1. African Plant Nutrition Institute Scholarship
The Africa Plant Nutrition Institute is providing $2,000 worth of scholarships to ten deserving African graduate students in sciences relevant to plant nutrition and the management of nutrients applied to crops. Unlike so many other scholarships paid directly to the school, this one will be made directly to the student and no specific duties will be required of the recipient.
Another good thing is that they won’t consider other assistantships, scholarships, or awards that the student currently holds. Candidates need to be attending a degree-granting institution located in Africa.
2. Australia Awards Africa Scholarship program
This is one of the agricultural scholarships for African students provided by the Australian Government. The scholarship combines Master, Fellowships and Short Course opportunities to build skills and capabilities in key sectors.
Also, the scholarship was established to improve skills in fields such as agriculture and food security, climate change and adaptation, renewable energy, mining governance and countering terrorism and violent extremism. Winners of the scholarship will receive full tuition fees, return air travel, contribution to living expenses, and many other advantages.
3. Marshal Papworth Scholarships for Developing Countries
Marshal Papworth provides opportunities for students from developing countries to gain the agricultural and horticultural skills needed to achieve a sustainable future for themselves and their communities through two scholarship programmes;
- Masters programme – A one-year’s Master’s Degree in agriculture or horticulture at a UK-based university
- Marshal Papworth 10-week short course – A 10-week practical and experiential course to empower change makers in rural communities
4. International Association of Agricultural Economists scholarship
This is among the agriculture scholarships for African students that are provided by the IAAE through Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The award is worth $4,500 for one Summer School scholarship for a female graduate student or junior professional from Africa.
Also, the awardee must be an IAAE member.
5. CASNR Undergraduate Scholarship Program (CUSP)
This scholarship from the University of Nebraska College of Agricultural Science & Natural Resources is awarded to Rwandan students. And, since 2015, nearly 200 students from Rwanda have received the scholarship.
Participants need to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Science that is focused on conservation agriculture, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
6. The University of Georgia Terence J. Centner International Scholarship
This is one of the agricultural scholarships for African undergraduate students participating in the fall or spring semester to study abroad at accredited foreign institutions of higher learning.
7. William K. Deal Scholarship
The William K. Deal Scholarship is provided by IOWA State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to Students who are participating in an international experience in Africa, South America, China, or India through the College of Ag and Life Sciences Study Abroad office.
8. The Margaret McNamara Education Grants
This is a nonprofit, public charity founded in 1981 that awards education grants to exceptional women from developing countries who are at least 25 years old and enrolled at universities in the United States, Canada, and select universities in South Africa and Latin America, and the Caribbean. Applicants need to be registered (not just accepted) at an accredited academic institution when submitting their application.
9. Sudan University of Science & Technology – Ph.D. Scholarships in Agricultural Sciences
This is one of the few agriculture scholarships for four (4) African Ph.D. students. It seeks highly motivated candidates with an MSc in agriculture, biology, biochemistry, or other types of education, preferably specializing in plant science.
Also, applicants should have the ability to stay for a long time traveling across Sudan to conduct the fieldwork.
10. Africa University Financial Assistance
In Africa University’s bid to make higher education accessible to youths in Africa, and being aware of the low-income status of the average African family, offers funding to deserving students to assist with the payment of their University fees. The University’s Financial Aid Committee is responsible for awarding this assistance.
The assistance is awarded on the basis of merit, need, and character and it falls into two categories: Financial Aid and Scholarships
11. TIAA-CREF Ruth Simms Hamilton Research Fellowship (Social Science–African Diaspora)
The TIAA-CREF Ruth Simms Hamilton Research Fellowship was established to honour the memory and outstanding work of the late Dr. Ruth Simms Hamilton, the former Michigan State University professor, and TIAA Trustee. Fellowships are awarded to one or more graduate students enrolled in a social science program at an accredited U.S. college or university and studying the African Diaspora.
The fellowships are awarded based on the evaluation of submissions by an objective panel of judges.
12. Passport to Careers in Agriculture Scholarships Program
This is one of the agricultural scholarships for both developed and developing countries like Africa awarded by Prairie View A&M University. Applicants need to be incoming Full-time undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences; Priority is given to incoming freshmen.
Also, they need to have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
13. MPOWER Financing – Monthly Scholarships for International Students
MPOWER Financing is one of the highest providers of financial aid such as scholarships and loans, and they are also providing monthly scholarships to help international students from different countries. They are awarding US$48,000 this year to help 36 international students fund their education dreams.
On the first day of each month, they always provide a different scholarship that international students will apply for, it’s advisable to subscribe to their student Newsletter to be alerted of any financial aid.
Conclusion
Most African students and students in developing countries don’t always have enough funds to further their education abroad. But we believe this list of agricultural scholarships for African students can help to reduce that financial burden.
And, we wish you all the best as you apply to any of them.
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