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Latest students from Africa and Asia begin life-changing sustainable agriculture course

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Students from Africa and Asia have been told how it’s hoped the knowledge they gain on an intensive course in sustainable agriculture will change lives in their communities.

The students are the latest cohort to take part in the 10-week primer, sponsored by the  Scholarship Fund (MPSF) and run at ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ in Shropshire.

More than 270 students have now taken part in the course over nearly two and a half decades – with each returning to the communities they serve to share new knowledge and insights.

A barbecue was held to welcome the 2026 cohort, with fellow guests including representatives of the Marshal Papworth Fund and the East of England Agricultural Society, and staff from various charities which employ this year’s attendees.

The event was also attended by Harper Adams employees who will be involved in teaching and looking after the students over the next two and a half months - including Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan.

He told them: “We want you to get everything you can possibly get from this programme. We don’t want you to miss an opportunity, so embrace it, and make sure you do take all the opportunities that come your way.

“We want you to change people’s lives through coming here. This isn’t just a programme for you – it is a programme for the communities and organisations that you are part of.

“One of the things I would encourage you to be thinking as you go through the programme is ‘who is going to benefit from me being here – who is going to learn the knowledge I have gained?

“We have got an amazing set of people from inside the University, from other organisations, from other places who come together to build this programme – and make sure it’s a really rich experience for you.”

Each year, the Marshal Papworth Fund provides scholarships for students from developing countries, including Masters scholarships to leading UK agricultural universities and colleges, as well as the tailored 10-week short course, developed with ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ. The programme is preceded by a six-week online course, which gives students unable to attend in person the chance to learn.

During  their welcome, the students also heard from Patron of the Marsal Papworth Fund, the Right Reverend John Holbrook, the Bishop of Brixworth.

He added: “It is good to be here, and to say thank you to our friends at Harper Adams for hosting the course.

“Agriculture is about growing things - about growing food, growing vegetables – but above all, about growing people.

“We look forward to seeing how you grow over the coming weeks – may God bless you all.”

Students from Nigeria, Zambia, India, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Tanzania all represented on this year’s course, working for charities and organisations including Farm Africa, The Leprosy Mission, Shangani Holistic, Hands Around The World and Field of Hope, and Silden.

Chief Executive Officer of the East of England Agricultural Society, Duncan Furey, said: “This is an initiative that the charity is extremely proud of – this is our 24th year of operating it – and this is my second year of coming to this barbecue.

“This is such an engaged group of students – so kudos to everybody who was involved in the selection – I think they are going to be a really great cohort.

“This is a great programme and my charity will continue to support it for as long as is humanly possible.”

And Professor Sloan added: “Everyone who comes and does this short course really reminds us why we are here as a University, why the fund is here, and why our communities are here.

“Our strategy is called Together, We Will Make the Difference, and this is living proof of that.”

To find out more about supporting the Marshal Papworth Fund contact Co-ordinator Sandra Lauridsen by email at slauridsen@eastofengland.org.uk  or by calling 07764628683. 

The Fund’s website can be found at