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Published on 10/23/24

Public-private partnership leverages research for development strength

By Allison Floyd

 

scientist in a peanut field describing research
The Peanut Innovation Lab at UGA has worked with Pyxus Agriculture, a private company in Malawi, to answer research questions that will help the company to build a formal peanut sector in the Southern Africa country.

The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Peanut and Pyxus Agriculture Limited (Pyxus) has made it official, inking an agreement that formalizes a partnership that pairs university and private sector research efforts to improve outcomes for farmers in Malawi.

In a Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and Pyxus, the partners express their mutual interest in performing and disseminating research.

Home to the Peanut Innovation Lab, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has extensive expertise in peanut research and extension, while Pyxus is an agribusiness working to commercialize the peanut value chain in Malawi and has vast experience in collaborating with and providing extension services to farmers.

The memorandum is not legally binding but serves as an agreement to promote cooperation in international activities.

“The Peanut Innovation Lab and Pyxus have collaborated on activities funded by USAID in Malawi for several years,” said Dave Hoisington, director of the Peanut Innovation Lab. “However, there’s never been a direct, formal agreement between UGA and Pyxus.

“This partnership allows the Innovation Lab a unique way to guide research for development. By working directly with the private sector, we know where to apply our resources to have the most real-world impact.”

In just a few years, Pyxus has developed a commercial value chain for peanuts – contracting with farmers, developing training and extension systems, identifying improved varieties, creating an aggregation system and constructing a shelling plant.

“Working with the Peanut Innovation Lab has provided Pyxus with access to the best peanut research from the United States and across Africa,” said Jeremy Venable, Chief of Party for the USAID Malawi Pyxus Partnership. “Through the expertise of the Peanut Lab, Pyxus was able to fast track investments into peanut production and processing resulting in increased yields and incomes for contracted farmers.”

Working together, the Peanut Innovation Lab and Pyxus are finding the best peanut varieties and production practices, designing and conducting research trials across Malawi, analyzing and disseminating results and developing a sustainable seed production system for the best varieties. To scale up those innovations, the lab and Pyxus also work together to promote best practices for farmers and organize events that promote the opportunities for peanuts in the country.

 

Allison Floyd is the PR coordinator for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Peanut, which is headquartered at UGA.

Authors:
Allison Floyd
Experts/Sources:
Dave Hoisington
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