2019 Borlaug Fellowship Research Priorities by Country
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
| Country | Targeted Research Areas | Contact |
| Algeria | Hydroponics: To research methods to Increase capacity to support value chain development in fresh produce sector. Post-Harvest Loss (Horticulture): To learn best practices and research technologies on food and vegetable harvesting, post-harvest care, and cold storage technology to reduce post-harvest loss. | USDA-FAS Algiers Justina.Torry@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Bangladesh | Plant Health, Post-Harvest Loss, and Food Safety: Research and development methods should be learned and demonstrated on how to ensure food safety through plant health management and postharvest management for value addition. Resilient Agriculture: Research and development activities should demonstrate how it will sustainably increase productivity, enhance resiliency (e.g., reduced vulnerability to pests, drought, diseases, or erratic weather etc.), or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. | USDA-FAS Dhaka Mark.Myers@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Burkina Faso | Food Safety: To enhance and protect public health and agriculture through the development of technologies, strategies, policies, and data that safeguard food from pathogens, toxins, and chemical contaminants during production, processing, and preparation. Post-Harvest Loss (Horticulture): To develop cost-effective technologies and methods to minimize post-harvest loss caused by biotic and abiotic factors in the horticulture sector. | USDA-FAS Dakar Joshua.Lagos@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Cambodia | Food Safety (Antimicrobials): To support research the science-based approach to the use of antimicrobials in livestock production, antimicrobial residues in food, and antimicrobial resistance; In addition, this fellow would be exposed to science-based information on microbial contamination, such as Salmonella. Pesticides and MRLs: To provide training and support research on the science-based approach to the use of pesticides and minimum residue levels. Post-Harvest Loss: To research post-harvest technology and methods of reducing post-harvest loss in rice production. | USDA- FAS Hanoi Benjamin.Petlock@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Colombia | Biotechnology (Cacao): To research gene editing technology for cacao varieties so that cacao plants do not absorb cadmium. Geographic Information System (Cacao): To develop a geographic Information system (GIS) for sustainable cacao production. Plant Health (Cacao): To research the impact of the use of fertilizers on cacao on Green House Gas emissions. | USDA-FAS Bogota Michael.Conlon@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Costa Rica | Resilient Agriculture; Food Security: To research methods and technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector to address resilience to climate change and enhance food security. | USDA-FAS San Jose Julie.Morin@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Ecuador | Cacao: To conduct analysis of cacao's functional metabolites. Cacao: To research application of bioinformatics in the identification and cacao genetics, particularly transcriptome. | USDA-FAS Lima Kirsten.Luxbacher@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| El Salvador | Quarantine and Non-Quarantine Pests: To research quarantine and non-quarantine pests (especially trigoderma glabrum). | USDA-FAS Guatemala Sean.Cox@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Egypt | Agricultural Production: To research horticulture production in desert climates: vegetable production, management of production under hydroponic systems or greenhouses, nutrient requirements, optimum levels of production, integrated pest management under protected hydroponic systems, etc. Food Safety: To research risk assessment and standards in veterinary drug residues and standards. Post-Harvest Loss (Aquaculture): To research post-production requirements for sustainable aquaculture production. | Office of Agricultural Affairs, Cairo Agcairo@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Ethiopia | Biotechnology: To research workable import approval systems and low-level presence policies for biotech crops, especially maize. Fall Army Worm: To research integrated pest management for Fall Armyworm. Market Information Systems: To research reduction of artificial (i.e. avoidable) price shocks by enhancing collection, dissemination, and analysis of agriculture market data (e.g. crop production, trade, prices, and stocks). | Office of Agricultural Affairs, Ethiopia Rachel.Bickford@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Georgia | Food Safety (Dairy Production): To develop the recommendation for prescribed procedures based on comprehensive risk analysis, including quantitative and qualitative analysis. Integrated Pest Management: To research the biology of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug or other insect pests of economic importance, pest risk assessments, integrated pest management, and international standards for phytosanitary measures. WTO Trade Facilitation: To research the effects of domestic trade barriers on the competitiveness on Georgian industries. Advance research on the requirements of SPS and TBT agreement and strengthen knowledge on international trade standards. | Office of Agricultural Affairs, Ankara Elizabeth.Leonardi@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Ghana | Animal Health: To increase capacity in animal and veterinary science remains a challenge for the scaling up of local livestock industries. Market Information Systems: To research methodology and management of programs for preparing official agricultural statistics to increase agricultural statistics capacity of candidates in order to provide more accurate data for agricultural planning purposes. Post-Harvest Loss: The training is to cover advances in post-harvest technology of horticultural crops. The objective is to improve the capacity of participants to handle horticultural crops in order to decrease food spoilage. | USDA-FAS Accra Daniel.Archibald@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Guatemala | Quarantine and Non-Quarantine Pests: To research quarantine and non-quarantine pests (especially trigoderma glabrum). Aflatoxin Prevention and Control (post-harvest): To research aflatoxin and mycotoxin control and prevention in food grains. Nutrition: To research methods and technologies for determining amino acid profiles and composition in food as an indicator for protein quality; provide alternative food options to develop new products or recommend improved nutrition options. | USDA-FAS Guatemala Sean.Cox@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Honduras | Quarantine and Non-Quarantine Pests: To research quarantine and non-quarantine pests (especially trigoderma glabrum). | USDA-FAS Honduras Sean.Cox@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| India | Nutrition: To research applications for and the efficacy of soy-, dairy-, and poultry-based protein products to help alleviate high malnutrition rates in rural communities. Resilient Agriculture (Drought Tolerant Crops): To research the variety, adaptability, and production benefits of genetically engineered, drought-tolerant crops. | USDA-FAS New Delhi Tiffany.Landry@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Indonesia | Plant Health: To research the eradication of plant pests, such as nematode, fruit fly, and bugs; especially for plant quarantine researchers. Post-Harvest Loss: To research new methods on reducing post-harvest losses on horticulture products to increase capacity in improving handling, storage, and supply chain/logistics issues on horticulture products. | USDA-FAS Jakarta Garrett.McDonald@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Jordan | Agricultural Production: To research horticulture production in desert climates: vegetable production, management of production under hydroponic systems or greenhouses, nutrient requirements, optimum levels of production, integrated pest management under protected hydroponic systems, etc. Animal Health (Poultry Nutrition): To research poultry feed formulation to include Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS). Food Safety: To research risk assessment and standards in veterinary drug residues and standards. Post-Harvest Loss (Aquaculture): To research post-production requirements for sustainable aquaculture production. | Office of Agricultural Affairs, Cairo Agcairo@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Kazakhstan | Animal Health: To improve animal health including breeding techniques, disease identification, prevention, and treatment, and overall herd management. Food Safety: To research cold-chain and safe handling measures, transportation logistics, and international standards and best practices in testing food products. Resilient Agriculture: To research drought and salt-tolerant crops, irrigation, water management, new technologies, and other topics related to improving capacity to respond to droughts and other weather-related events. | USDA-FAS-Moscow David.Leishman@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Kenya | Agricultural Strategic Communication: To enhance the ability to create and implement effective social marketing campaigns - promoting science-based decision making and ultimately a shift in consumer behaviors/acceptance of genetically engineered agricultural products; to increase proficiency with tools required for agricultural data collection, data visualization, and storytelling (e.g. geographic information systems, market information systems, social media platforms) so that they may effectively gather science-based information and convey it in a compelling manner to the public. Food Safety: To study the processes, best practices, and results of safety and risk assessments of genetically engineered foods. | USDA-FAS Nairobi Kevin.Sage-EL@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Liberia | Agricultural Strategic Communication: To enhance the ability to create and implement effective social marketing campaigns - promoting science-based decision making and ultimately a shift in consumer behaviors/acceptance of genetically engineered agricultural products; to increase proficiency with tools required for agricultural data collection, data visualization, and storytelling (e.g. geographic information systems, market information systems, social media platforms) so that they may effectively gather science-based information and convey it in a compelling manner to the public. Food Safety: To study the processes, best practices, and results of safety and risk assessments of genetically engineered foods. | USDA-FAS Accra Daniel.Archibald@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Malawi | Agricultural Strategic Communication: To enhance the ability to create and implement effective social marketing campaigns - promoting science-based decision making and ultimately a shift in consumer behaviors/acceptance of genetically engineered agricultural products; to increase proficiency with tools required for agricultural data collection, data visualization, and storytelling (e.g. geographic information systems, market information systems, social media platforms) so that they may effectively gather science-based information and convey it in a compelling manner to the public. Food Safety: To study the processes, best practices, and results of safety and risk assessments of genetically engineered foods. | USDA-FAS Nairobi Kevin.Sage-EL@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Malaysia | Biotechnology (Animal): To research the use of conventional breeding tools to improve aquaculture and ruminant animals production and genetics in the humid tropics; to develop a databank of genomic breeding values for aquaculture and livestock programs. Biotechnology; Plant Health: To research marker assist breeding in identifying fungal pathogens and viral infection in developing local plants that able to sustain diseases and infections. Plant Nutrition: To research fundamental plant nutrition and its influence on organic plant health and produce; use of correct nutrient assist farmers in maximizing the usage of fertilizers in improving quality of their plants, thus increasing yields and reducing waste and contamination to environment. | USDA-FAS Kuala Lumpur Joani.Dong@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Mali | Food Safety: To enhance and protect public health and agriculture through the development of technologies, strategies, policies, and data that safeguard food from pathogens, toxins, and chemical contaminants during production, processing, and preparation. Post-Harvest Loss (Horticulture): To develop cost-effective technologies and methods to minimize post-harvest loss caused by biotic and abiotic factors in the horticulture sector. | USDA-FAS Dakar Joshua.Lagos@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Mexico | USDA Global Cocoa Initiative: To research issues focused on cocoa breeding, integrated pest management, and post-harvest management: genomics, genetics and breeding; plant propagation methods; soil fertility and plant nutrition; plant pathology and control methods for witches’ broom and frosty pod. Plant Health: To research efficient use of organic and inorganic fertilizers. | USDA-FAS Mexico Tim.Harrison@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Mongolia | Animal Health (Livestock Genetics): To enhance the capacity to manage, staff, and operate the new National Center for Animal Gene Bank; receive training in good laboratory practices, training to operate and troubleshoot testing and calibration of equipment, and training on management of long-term embryo storage banks and genetic testing to improve cattle breeds. Plant Health; Rangeland Management: To research hardy grain and forage varieties to withstand Mongolia's harsh climate and remediate depleted grasslands; and to enhance the capacity to manage, staff, and operate an aging national plant genetics repository. | USDA-FAS Beijing Abraham.Inouye@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Morocco | Animal & Plant Health: To research the protection of agriculture from transboundary animal and plant pests and diseases (Including but not limited to: Red Palm Weevil, Med Fly, and Tuta absoluta, as well as Avian Influenza, Peste des Petites Ruminants (PPR), Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Foot and Mouth Disease, Bluetongue, and Rabies). Biotechnology: To enhance researcher capacities to develop, promote, and defend the safe use of biotechnology in the promotion of global food security. Food Safety: To enhance public health through research of appropriate risk-based regulations that safeguard the food chain. | USDA-FAS Morocco Morgan.Haas@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Mozambique | Animal Health (Breeding and Genetics): To research methods to bolster food security and agricultural trade by supporting biotechnology research in livestock genetics, animal breeding and reproduction, animal genomics, and animal genetics managements, and others. Biotechnology: To research advances in agricultural biotechnology, focusing on drought-resistant crop varieties, aquaculture genetics and biotechnology, and biosecurity/phytosanitary issues in horticultural production. | USDA-FAS Pretoria Kyle.Bonsu@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Myanmar | Agricultural Statistics: To improve methodologies for collecting and analyzing agricultural statistics in order to improve market information. Animal Health and Nutrition: To strengthen livestock and aquaculture sector through research on animal health issues including sanitary and phytosanitary challenges and animal nutrition. Biotechnology: To support research related to understanding, implementing, and regulating agricultural biotechnology and new breeding techniques. | USDA-FAS Rangoon Rachel.Nelson@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Nicaragua | Resilient Agriculture: To increase knowledge and expertise in areas related to reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector. | USDA-FAS San Jose Julie.Morin@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Peru | Food Safety: To research methodologies to measure heavy metals content in Cacao bean and correlation in its derivatives. Wood Construction: Wood structural design and construction techniques developed. The objective of this training is to increase knowledge of U.S. softwood species and their use in construction. | USDA-FAS Lima Kirsten.Luxbacher@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Philippines | Agricultural Production (Coffee): To research methods and technologies to increase production and improve marketing of coffee in the Philippines, specifically: decrease cost of production; eliminate transportation inefficiencies, conduct genetic analysis/ mapping/ fingerprinting of species available in the Philippines (Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, Excelsa); study impact of coffee as buffer crop in Philippine protected and watershed areas. Resilient Agriculture (Agro-Meteorology): To research improved agro-meteorology and weather forecasting capacity to enhance mapping variables and help planners monitor identified strategic agricultural and fishery zones; the objective is to mainstream climate change in policy formulation, development planning, and decision making. Resilient Agriculture (Agro-Meteorology): To research modern farm technologies that build climate-resiliency to strengthen production in identified strategic agricultural and fishery zones; the objective is to mainstream climate change in policy formulation, development planning, and decision making. | USDA-FAS Manila Ryan.Bedford@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Rwanda | Agricultural Strategic Communication: To enhance the ability to create and implement effective social marketing campaigns - promoting science-based decision making and ultimately a shift in consumer behaviors/acceptance of genetically engineered agricultural products; to increase proficiency with tools required for agricultural data collection, data visualization, and storytelling (e.g. geographic information systems, market information systems, social media platforms) so that they may effectively gather science-based information and convey it in a compelling manner to the public. Food Safety: To study the processes, best practices, and results of safety and risk assessments of genetically engineered foods. | USDA-FAS Nairobi Kevin.Sage-EL@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Senegal | Food Safety: To enhance and protect public health and agriculture through the development of technologies, strategies, policies, and data that safeguard food from pathogens, toxins, and chemical contaminants during production, processing, and preparation. Post-Harvest Loss (Horticulture): To develop cost-effective technologies and methods to minimize post-harvest loss caused by biotic and abiotic factors in the horticulture sector. | USDA-FAS Dakar Joshua.Lagos@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| South Africa | Animal Health (Breeding and Genetics): To research methods to bolster food security and agricultural trade by supporting biotechnology research in livestock genetics, animal breeding and reproduction, animal genomics, and animal genetics managements, and others. Biotechnology: To research advances in agricultural biotechnology, focusing on drought-resistant crop varieties, aquaculture genetics and biotechnology, and biosecurity/phytosanitary issues in horticultural production. Food Safety: To research international, science-based sampling and testing standards for meat and poultry meat products for certain contaminates (salmonella and listeria); risk assessment at ports of entry. | USDA-FAS Pretoria Kyle.Bonsu@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Sri Lanka | Post-Harvest Loss: To research advances in small-scale food processing technology to reduce post-harvest losses for fruit and vegetable production. | USDA-FAS New Delhi Tiffany.Landry@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Tanzania | Agricultural Strategic Communication: To enhance the ability to create and implement effective social marketing campaigns - promoting science-based decision making and ultimately a shift in consumer behaviors/acceptance of genetically engineered agricultural products; to increase proficiency with tools required for agricultural data collection, data visualization, and storytelling (e.g. geographic information systems, market information systems, social media platforms) so that they may effectively gather science-based information and convey it in a compelling manner to the public. Food Safety: To study the processes, best practices, and results of safety and risk assessments of genetically engineered foods. | USDA-FAS Nairobi Kevin.Sage-EL@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Thailand | Agricultural Value Chain: To study the effect of domestic trade barriers on the competitiveness of Thai agricultural industry; research will show that Thailand’s domestic barriers (tariff and non-tariff) on imports impede the competiveness of Thailand’s own industries. This program will help the Thai Government assess the impact of its economic policies before implementation. Food Processing: To conduct research in food processing technologies, the use of different ingredients, and product development and testing; how to use ingredients such as pulses and dairy products. Food Safety: To research post marketing surveillance dor cost/benefit and effective food safety surveillance; stufy the presence of unsafe substances and contaminants in Thai food and the effects that they have on human health. | USDA-FAS Bangkok Paul.Welcher@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Tunisia | Biotechnology: To enhance researcher capacities to develop, promote, and defend the safe use of biotechnology in the promotion of global food security. Food Safety: To enhance public health through research of appropriate risk-based regulations that safeguard the food chain. Animal & Plant Health: To research the protection of agriculture from transboundary animal and plant pests and diseases (Including but not limited to: Red Palm Weevil, Med Fly, and Tuta absoluta, as well as Avian Influenza, Peste des Petites Ruminants (PPR), Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Foot and Mouth Disease, Bluetongue, and Rabies). | USDA-FAS Morocco Morgan.Haas@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Turkey | Biotechnology: To research issues related to biotechnology risk assessment, risk communication, and risk management. Biotechnology: To research innovative plant breeding technologies, such as gene mapping, gene expression, gene deletion, gene introduction, marker-assisted plant breeding, DNA mapping, and other tools. Pest Risk Assessments: Pest Risk Assessments, International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, and Proper Development of Quarantine Lists. | Office of Agricultural Affairs, Ankara Elizabeth.Leonardi@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Uganda | Agricultural Strategic Communication: To enhance the ability to create and implement effective social marketing campaigns - promoting science-based decision making and ultimately a shift in consumer behaviors/acceptance of genetically engineered agricultural products; to increase proficiency with tools required for agricultural data collection, data visualization, and storytelling (e.g. geographic information systems, market information systems, social media platforms) so that they may effectively gather science-based information and convey it in a compelling manner to the public. Food Safety: To study the processes, best practices, and results of safety and risk assessments of genetically engineered foods. | USDA-FAS Nairobi Kevin.Sage-EL@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Ukraine | Veterinary and Animal Health: • Research on African Swine Fever (ASF) and Lumpy Skin Diseases (LSD), other animal diseases. • Research on animal welfare as a basis of preventive veterinary medicine. • Research on etiology, distribution and pathogenesis of antibiotic resistance in modern farming conditions. • Bacteria antagonism utilization in dairy cows mastitis prophylactics. | USDA-FAS Kiev Robin.Gray@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Vietnam | Animal Health: To research nutritional quality, processing, and utilization of sorghum for swine. Animal Health: To research the linkages between early nutrition, long-term health, and lifetime performance of dairy cattle. Animal Health: To research disease control in aquaculture/fish farming. | USDA- FAS Hanoi Benjamin.Petlock@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |
| Zambia | Animal Health (Breeding and Genetics): To research methods to bolster food security and agricultural trade by supporting biotechnology research in livestock genetics, animal breeding and reproduction, animal genomics, and animal genetics managements, and others. Biotechnology: To research advances in agricultural biotechnology, focusing on drought-resistant crop varieties, aquaculture genetics and biotechnology, and biosecurity/phytosanitary issues in horticultural production. Food Safety: To research international, science-based sampling and testing standards for meat and poultry meat products for certain contaminates (salmonella and listeria); risk assessment at ports of entry. | USDA-FAS Pretoria Kyle.Bonsu@fas.usda.gov BorlaugFellowships@fas.usda.gov |