In Ethiopia and Uganda, million people, affected by the drought, still need an emergency food assistance. Poverty, although showing a decreasing trend, still represents a dramatic concern affecting almost the 50% of the population. Agriculture plays a major role representing the most important economic sector. Such a situation determines a direct negative impact on the capacity of agriculture to satisfy food consumption demand.

In this framework, environmental degradation further negatively affects living condition and agriculture performances. Thus, the achievement of sustainable income growth to reduce vulnerability in rural areas have to proceed by addressing food security through productive safety programmes as well as by promoting the adoption of sustainable productive approaches.

Partners Universities still face relevant challenges: qualified academic staff shortage, limited capacity to provide postgraduate courses, limited chances to internationally share their experiences, not sufficient amount of resources to train skilled experts, and, reduced research and innovation capacity.