Benefits and Challenges of Faculty Engagement in International Agricultural Development Work

Horticulture is often an important component of agricultural development projects and there are significant opportunities for faculty members at universities to become involved in such projects. Before embarking on such projects, however, it is important for faculty members to understand how typical activities such as research, teaching, and extension relate to international agricultural development objectives. Funding agencies are focused on specific outcomes and impacts that may not require the usual research, teaching, or extension efforts. Fundamental research is usually not considered critical to agricultural development and only applied translational research which will have clear impacts on development objectives will typically be funded. Other important activities that faculty members might engage in include providing short-term technical assistance, capacity-building activities, and consulting. Benefits of engaging in such activities include new sources of funding, publishing opportunities (but not typically a donor objective), new collaborative ties, opportunities to establish an international reputation, opportunities to make a difference, and interesting travel experiences. These benefits should be carefully weighed against the challenges of engaging in international work which include low initial return on investment, potential misconceptions at the home institution and/or state, significant periods of time away from home, and whether sufficient academic “credit” will be given for such activities.