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My name is Tinashe Mashizha, a postgraduate student in the Plant and Agricultural Bioscience Centre (PABC) at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). I graduated from Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) in August of 2014, with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Development Studies. I also graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation at Lupane State University. After graduating from BUSE, l joined Community Capacity Building Initiative Centre for Africa (CCBICA) and developed interest in resilience building, food security and nutrition. I had an array of experience during this time ranging from poverty reduction, environmental protection, community development , nutrition and health.
I am a researcher/scholar and for the past four years, l have been involved in the study of climate change, sustainable development, rural development and food security. My work is characterized by an environmental theme, including climate change and agricultural development. Much of empirical research has taken place in Zimbabwe and lies at the confluence between research on climate change adaptation with linkages to theme of livelihoods, food security, wellbeing and rural development.
I joined Lower Guruve Development Association (LGDA) , a community based organization that works with several organizations in uplifting lives of vulnerable and marginalized communities. During my tenure at LGDA, l have had the pleasure of working in partnership with the World Food Programme as a Monitoring , Evaluation and Learning Officer (MEAL). The experience put me face to face with the community’s challenges in handling future climate-induced shocks.
I have also been a collaborator on a high level project known as the Sizimele Action for Building Resilience. The Sizimele project’s overall objective is to enable recovery and enhance the resilience of at risk smallholder famers so that they are food, income and nutritional secure in the face of increasing multiple and chronic shocks and stressors.
Having this background and work experience, l decided to join the CCAFS MSc program to further enhance my intellectual grounding, equip my self with professional skills related to formulating, investigating and implementing policies that will promote climate change mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. I have developed an interest in legumes and lam hoping that l will have the exposure on the spectrum of legume science. I hope to become a sustainability specialist, focusing on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and have an impact in people’s lives.
