Tim D. DavisDepartment of Horticultural Sciences

Texas A&M University

Opportunities for Collaboration with Zamorano University, La Escuela Agricola

Panamericana

Investigate the establishment of a Study Abroad program focused on agribusiness management and agricultural science and production (in conjunction with Borlaug Young Agricultural Scientist Study Abroad Program)

Build upon past collaboration with Zamorano and evaluate other areas for collaborative opportunities (e.g. horticultural education and research)

Trip funded by a grant (Gary Wingenbach, PI) from the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs—”…to attract agriculture and natural resources students, under-represented groups in education abroad, and to create long-lasting relationships with our partner institutions”

Purpose of the July 5-10 visit

Areas of study: sustainable tropical agriculture; agribusiness/agroindustry; food technology; natural resource management; rural development

Zamorano property has more than 7,000 hectares which includes the campus, farm land, and natural forests (tropical environment—mountains and valley)

Campus located in Zamorano Valley about 20 miles southeast of Tegucigalpa (40 minute drive); elevation of about 1000 meters

Quick facts about Zamorano Univ. (private international university)

Campus has a hotel (Kellogg Center, ca. $41/night), store, and Starbuck-style coffee shop (no a.c. or heat)

1000 students from 20 Latin American/Caribbean countries (81% receive some sort of financial aid)

30% femaleStudents all live on campus, must wear

uniformsCost for everything is about $5,000 per

semesterFaculty from 20 countries (horticulture

professor grew up in Utah and has Ph.D. from Florida)

Quick facts about Zamorano Univ.

Quick facts about Zamorano Univ.Undergraduate majors (4-year, trimester

system): 1) Agricultural Science and Production; 2) Agribusiness Management; 3) Agroindustry/Food Technology; 4) Socioeconomic Development and Environment

Master of Professional Studies Program in Tropical Agriculture (aimed at mid-career professionals)

Outreach programs include continuing education, extension, and applied research

Rigorous schedule (classes start at 6:30 AM sharp; field/lab/practical work in the afternoon; lights out at 10:00 PM sharp)

Code of conduct “reglamento” (attend classes regularly, no on-campus drinking or drugs, no fighting, permission needed to leave campus)—demerit (falta) system

Students must adhere to institutional values (e.g. uniforms, grooming standards—no long hair for men, keep living quarters clean, respect diversity—individual should be judged on achievement rather than social origin)

Zamorano—The Invisible Curriculum

Students generally spend their afternoons in “hands on” learning activities

Horticultural enterprises include: ornamentals nursery, tree fruit production, fruit and vegetable processing facility, tissue culture lab

Other enterprises include: organic agriculture, tropical ecology/forest management, soils lab, biotechnology lab, dairy, meat processing facility, poultry unit, swine, seed processing facility, agronomic crop breeding, aquaculture, IPM unit, honey processing, stoves lab

Faculty members are responsible for making these enterprises fiscally viable

“Learning by Doing” approach

Soils lab-Laboratorio due Suelos

Fruit and vegetable processing lab

Meat Processing and Dairy

Dairy cattle

Plant Tissue Culture Lab

Seed processing facility

Biocontrol Lab

Biocontrol work

Biotechnology Lab

Ornamentals nursery

Greenhouse vegetable production

Production trials

Mango orchard

Aquaculture--tilapia

Stoves lab

Collaborative opportunities

Perhaps a “Field to Plate” treatment of one or more tropical crops of importance to Honduras

Lectures in the morning; “hands on” learning in the afternoon

5-10 weeks in duration; Hort portion 1-2 weeks

Multi-Disciplinary Study Abroad Course

Their students are disciplined, hard-working, and reliable

Science background may not be quite as strong as we would like

English language skills are generally goodStudents have some experience with applied researchRecruiting would be facilitated by our faculty members

giving special seminars at Zamorano (housing would likely be covered; airfare is currently around $500)

Zamorano is open to faculty exchanges which could also facilitate recruiting

Zamorano as a source of graduate students

Opportunities somewhat limitedApplied research collaboration most viableSpecific areas that might work: testing of

breeding lines, cultural practices, postharvest handling of fruits and vegetables

Undergraduate research opportunities might be coupled to a Study Abroad course

Collaborative Research

Many small horticultural roadside businesses (fruits stands, retail nurseries)

Zamorano is a registered botanical gardenInteresting tropical vegetation throughout

HondurasZamorano cloud forest/nature preserveMayan ruins in CopanBeaches at Roatan“Third world” environment which is alien to

most of our students

Ancillary cultural/educational opportunities in Honduras

Mayan Ruins--Copan

Thanks to:Gary Wingenbach (PI, State Dept. grant)Cathryn Clement (Borlaug Institute)Carlos Bogran (Zamorano graduate & TAMU

faculty)Marco Palma (Zamorano graduate & TAMU

faculty)