Kellogg International Fellows Program in Food Systems (KIFP/FS). [1985 - 1992]

Co-Principal Investigators

Non-AFRE Co-Principle Investigators: Mary Andrews (MSU) Non-MSU Program Steering Committee - William Gamble, Bryant Kearl, Per Pinstrup-Andersen, Maurice Rolls, Dustan Spencer

Project Name:           Kellogg International Fellows Program in Food Systems – KIFP/FS
Donor:                        M. W. Kellogg Foundation
Contract No:             
Account No:             
Location:                    Fellows home countries, East Lansing, Brazil, Zimbabwe, India and Thailand
Duration:                    Sept 1, 1985 – Aug 31, 1992
Budget:                       $ 4,400,000

Photos:                       (Click here to view)
Documents:                (Click here to view)

Project Goals:           To advance the leadership capabilities of established, mid-career professionals engaged in food system improvements in developing countries.

Project Plans/Objectives:    

Enhance professional effectiveness by broadening and deepening the Fellows understanding of  the possibilities for improving food system performance through policy reforms, organization and institutional innovations and technological advancement via the following activities:

An individual, in-country project directly related to the program goals of KIFP/FS

  • Annual, two-week seminar workshops
  • Travel study trips
  • Networking with other Fellows and their institutions

Cooperating Institutions:      M. W. Kellogg Foundation (Kellogg Fellowship Leadership Alliance),  International Fellows respective host institutions,  Department of Agricultural Economics, and the Institute of International Agriculture at Michigan State University.

Project Summary:

This project began in the Fall of 1985 when MSU professors of agricultural economics, Harold Riley, KIFP/FS Director, and Darrell Fienup, Associate Director,  appointed an international steering committee and started recruiting and selecting the Fellows.  Others at MSU who assisted with the implementation of this program are Mary Andrews, Assistant Dean, College of Human Ecology and evaluation specialist;  Professors James Shaffer and Michael Weber, from Agricultural Economics;  Ardell Ward, administrative assistant; Bets Caldwell, project secretary; and Julie Howard, AEC graduate assistant in charge of publications.

By June of 1986, the Fellows were selected, had chosen their individual projects, began to form professional and personal relationships, and were ready for their two-week orientation meeting at MSU.  The 31 mid-career professionals Fellows selected from 22 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America were determined to work together to increase the knowledge base and personal leadership skills that would enable them to bring about improvements in food systems in their respective countries.  The Fellows, who held important positions in universities and government agencies, devoted about one fourth of their time during the program to carrying out projects, attending international seminars, and participating in related travel study to advance their understanding of food production, processing and production problems.  Their relationships with each other, with MSU and with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation were expected to continue through networking and publishing long after the official end of the project.

During the three-year term of the project, the Fellows met annually, the first time in Brazil and Mexico, then in Kenya and Zimbabwe, and finally in India and Thailand in early 1989.  Field trips to neighboring countries following each of these seminars to enhance their educational experiences.  Four interest groups that emerged during the first year of the program provided for more intensive study and interaction.  These groups focuses on:

  • food and agriculture policy,
  • marketing and trade,
  • nutrition interventions, and
  • technology to expand food production and improve food processing.

Each group reported on the results of its work at the end-of-program seminar and presented views on strategic actions to bring about more adequate and dependable supplies of food to all families in their countries.   Beyond Fellows’ experience, capabilities, and linkages gained, a significant number of valuable publications resulted from these activities.  (See Gary King Field Notes below for a write-up of Fellows' perceptions of the value of having participated in KIFP/FS).

Photos of KIFP/FS Activities

 Documents From/About This Project:

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