Blog by Joyce Lunyolo, PhD student, Makerere University
Just started as a PhD student, I am excited to share my first experience so far as an AfPEC fellow. The experience has been amazing, educative and insightful. Focusing on motivation and stewardship in arabica coffee agroforestry as one of the main sub-themes of the AfPEC project, my passion has grown deeply into understanding and learning more about the subject. I am very optimistic about contributing greatly towards addressing hindrances to sustainable stewardship actions in coffee agroforestry for increased productivity and improved livelihoods.
I am also under the mentorship and guidance of the scientists and research experts from Makerere, Aarhus and Copenhagen Universities, who are dedicated to helping me improve my research to achieve the project goal. The interaction with my supervisors has so far been good and very educative. I have learned a lot and still learning and exploring new things from them. I am looking forward to more of these interactions.
My social network has also grown big since I joined the AfPEC project and this is vital for my career development especially through knowledge and experience sharing. I was introduced to a very important community of researchers, students, project partners, and not least farmers. I have had wonderful and interesting interactions on various things about research and this is greatly helping me streamline my work. I am looking forward to more interactions, connections and opportunities.
The AfPEC project through its activities and programs such as field work and meetings have been so interesting. The fieldwork in Sipi, Buginyanya and Bufumbo was very educative through interactions with the farmers, observing and understanding what is on ground as far as the project work is concerned. The visits to various coffee gardens and co-operatives was refreshing as I observed and learned a lot of things which am basing on to improve and streamline my PhD research work.
In general, the experience has been very informative, intriguing, explorative, fun, insightful and amazing.
Thank you AfPEC Project and DANIDA scholarship for this great opportunity and support.
