Agrónomos Sin Fronteras: a commitment to rural development in Tanzania
10 April, 2026
On March 16, 2026, as part of UPM Conecta week, the Main Hall of the Higher Technical School of Agricultural, Food and Biosystems Engineering (ETSIAAB) at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) hosted a panel discussion in which experts from Agrónomos Sin Fronteras (ASF), representatives of AECID, university staff, and students shared reflections on the impact of Spanish development cooperation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Under the title “Cooperation for the development of rural communities,” participants highlighted the importance of promoting rural development beyond mere subsistence.
The event began with an intervention by María Alejandra Prato, director of ASF in Spain, who presented the work of the Foundation and inaugurated the photo exhibition “Mgega: progress of a Maasai community,” within the framework of the United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026.
The discussion, moderated by Professor Carlos Hernández Díaz-Ambrona, trustee of the Foundation, included the participation of David Pereira Espasandín, General Coordinator of the Spanish Office in Niger, and Nuria Duperier de Mingo, technical officer at AECID. Both shared their experience in Spanish technical cooperation in Sub-Saharan Africa and emphasized the importance of continuing to promote rural development in the region. In addition, Carlos Madrigal Rosado, Vice President of the Foundation, addressed the key role of access to export markets as a driver to improve farmers’ incomes and foster sustainable rural development.
Also participating were Elena López Pérez, representative of the Vice-Rectorate for Internationalization, and Diego Navarro Muñoz, a student, who took part in a discussion focused on academic opportunities and his field experience. This experience was made possible thanks to ASF, which together with its local partner Assisting Small Farmers Foundation, runs a 45-hectare Field School in Mgera, Iringa (Tanzania).
The meeting highlighted the need to strengthen local agricultural training so that farmers can produce with the required quality and access international markets that offer better opportunities. Agrónomos Sin Fronteras reaffirms its commitment to the progress of rural communities and thanks ETSIAAB for hosting this space, which helps make the importance of development cooperation in rural contexts more visible.
