Thesis Proposals of Engineering

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Bern University of Applied SciencesSchool of Agricultural, Forest and FoodSciences HAFL

List of Proposed Masters Thesis Topics

Value Chains and Rural Development in Agriculture and Forestry (VCR)

Last Updated: 30.03.2016 (RL)

Topics and Further Information Geography Contact

Crop Production, International

Impact Study of a Community-Based Seed Program for Basic FoodCrops (Maize, Cowpeas) in Northern Mozambique

Starting out from seed banks in a sample of communities, the flows ofseed from the bank to farmers and onwards to other farmers are to bequantified over three generations of seed. Outcomes and impacts (yieldstability, economic benefits, food security, and resilience of seed supply,

community ownership and finally effects on livelihood) are to be meas-ured. Information is to be disaggregated by social strata, gender, crop andvariety type (local or improved) and access to markets.

Mozambique Urs Scheidegger

Study of Farmer-to-Farmer Seed Flows (Quality and Volumes) Trig-gered by the Mongolian Potato Project

The Mongolian Potato Project has triggered an extensive dissemination ofnew varieties from farmer to farmer. The scope of these informal seedflows is to be quantified and the health of respective seed along the flowscharacterized (evaluation of symptoms of seed-borne diseases). Factorsfor success and risks are to be identified.

Mongolia Urs Scheidegger

Land Tenure Issues Relevant for Conversion of Slash-and-Burn toSlash-and-Char Farming

Study of the present situation and ex-anteanalysis of policy interventionsregarding land tenure. Land tenure could play a crucial role in farmersdecisions to adopt slash-and-char Biochar.

Cameroon

or Benin

Urs ScheideggerChristoph

Studer

Precision Agriculture for Small-Scale Rice Farmers: Rice Nutrient Man-ager via Mobile Phone

In a contract growing setting run by RMG (a commercial enterprise linkedto Syngenta Foundation), the IRRI nutrient manager is to be integratedinto the mobile phone app the contract farmers already use (FarmForce).

Burkina Faso Urs Scheidegger

Animal Science, Switzerland

Market Analysis of Horse Feed Purchasing Behaviour in Switzerland

The horse feed industry in Europe is booming. Nonetheless, the competi-tion is strongly increasing and the trend to feed less concentrates affectsthe sales figures of producers negatively. Consequently, producers haveto be more and more innovative and customer-oriented in order to gainmarket share. However, there is little knowledge about the buying behav-iour of horse feed purchasers. The aim of the study is to analyse custom-ers' perception of different horse feed products as well as their expecta-tions and demands when purchasing horse feed. Different costumer seg-ments should be identified and based on the results future markets de-scribed. The study will take place in collaboration with UFA AG.

Switzerland Salome Wgeli

Woodland Egg Production in Switzerland

Egg production from hens kept below trees is advocated and marketed asa particularly animal-friendly production. This logic stems from the factthat these hens can freely move around and live in an environment thatresembles that of wild Bankiva Chicken. Research question: Can this pro-duction system improve animal welfare in Switzerland as well, and can

products be marketed with an added value to the producer? Are thereproducers who already have such a system in place? Can egg productionbe combined with fruit production, or does this cause hygienic problems.

Switzerland Jan Grenz


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Animal Science, International

Developing and Evaluating Integrated Farming Systems for Improve-ment of Smallholder Dairy Production in Milkshed Areas of Malawiand Zambia

Agroscope's research group in business management is working with localpartners in Malawi in order to increase the milk production in smallholdermixed production systems. Based on a survey among small farmers andgroup discussions, specific measures have been defined. These will beimplemented in the coming months by specially trained small farmers(Lead-Farmer approach), in the hope that more small farmers, e.g. theirneighbors, also adapt the appropriate measures and reach a productionincrease. In the frame of this project there are different opportunities toconduct a Master Thesis in the topic of agricultural economy or animalproduction.

Malawi Urs Egger

Rural Economics, Switzerland

Farm Transfer: Financial, Social and Familial Challenges

The transfer of the farm business from one generation to the other is afundamental element of family farming. Although lived by all farmers, theprocess is complex and implies several challenges with which the involvedpeople have to deal with. Despite the existence of a broad range of aca-demic literature and practical information, lack of knowledge exists forsocial, family and far reaching financial aspects of farm transfer.

The thesis is part of the project Hofnachfolge360 of HAFL and providesqualitative insights in the above mentioned aspects of farm transfer bycarrying out three cycles of qualitative interviews with farmers and farmsuccessors. The results are used for the development of tools for a holis-tic planning of farm transfer.

Switzerland Sandra Contzen

Analysis of a Specific Value Chain

In the framework of a Master Thesis a specific value chain according tothe interest of the student in collaboration with a company is to be ana-lysed. The framework and the topic will be defined beforehand with theprincipal advisor.

Switzerland Urs Egger

Swiss Farmers Associations Initiative - Consequences for Swiss Econ-omy and the Agricultural Sector

Consequences of the Swiss Farmers Associations initiativeadoption forSwiss economy and the agricultural sector. Who will pay the bill for thisprotection project?


Rural Economics, International

Value Chains Analysis for Different ProductsIn Madagascar, Helvetas has a long tradition of cooperation through Inter-cooperation. After a successful BSc thesis in 2013, there are possibilitiesto conduct more detailed value chain studies that may be combined withCBA.

Madagascar DominiqueGuenat

Vegetable Market Analysis

The vegetable market is presently dominated by a few powerful stake-holders and Mongolian producers have difficulties to access the market inUlaan Baatar. A detailed analysis of the situation and suggestions for amore transparent organization is a big challenge.

Mongolia DominiqueGuenat

Education and Skills Based Curriculum for Ag Teaching Methods

In the Lao PDR, SDC is funding a project (SURAFCO) dealing with the re-form of agricultural colleges, with the objective to make teaching more

skills based and practice oriented subjects. The topic of the MSc would beto analyse the level of adoption of the different teaching methods, andother improvements introduced by the college, and identify the gaps.

Laos DominiqueGuenat


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Participatory promotion of new value chains for the diversification ofincome (apple processing, beekeeping, agrotourism, medicinal plants)

FAO is developing, together with other actors such as SDC, an innovativeapproach of participatory watershed planning and management in theAtlas Mountains of Morocco (GIBV-MA). HAFL, together with the Centre forEnvironment and Development (CDE) of Bern University, is backstoppingthis project. The Midelt region, targeted by the project, is one of thepoorest of the country. It is famous for its apple production, producedunder irrigation. On the other hand, the level of degradation of the naturalresources (erosion and deforestation) is extreme, leading to recurrentnatural disasters such as floods and decreased productivity. One of theproject's objectives is to develop promising or new value chains that willcontribute to the diversification of income of the local population. Apple isthe most important agricultural production, but there is no processing ofthis commodity and losses are important. Other promising value chainsare aromatic and medicinal plants, beekeeping/honey and agrotourism.

The Master student will support a process of participatory market chainapproach to develop or improve one selected value chain.

Morocco(Midelt)

Alessandra

Giuliani

And

Pascale Wlti

Estudio comparativo de modelos de asistencia tcnica rural-agropecuaria, y desarrollo de modelos adecuados para zonas selec-cionadas de Bolivia

Muchos de los pases en desarrollo encuentran dificultades en establecersistemas (privados, pblicos y mixtos) efectivos y eficientes de provisinde asistencia tcnica a sus pequeos productores agropecuarios. Muchosmodelos han sido desarrollados y probados pero pocos funcionan a largoplazo, y de los que funcionan pocos son replicables fuera de la zona, pas,regin donde han sido implementados exitosamente. Adems, no haymodelos universales sino deben ser diseados de acuerdo a las carac-tersticas de cada zona, pas o regin.

La/el estudiante debera recompilar modelos/experiencias exitosas detodo el mundo y rescatar los factores de xito universales. En la base deesto, la/el estudiante debera disear (o mejorar un modelo existente) porlo menos un modelo de provisin de asistencia tcnica rural-agropecuariapara una zona seleccionada de Bolivia y analizar participativamente suviabilidad.

Bolivia Ingrid Fromm

Fishermen become farmers: Development of a vocational trainingconcept and elaboration and testing of training modules for coastalregions of the Gulf of Mottama in Myanmar

In partnership with Helvetas Myanmar and the Yezin Agricultural Universi-ty YAU, Myanmar (http://www.yaummr.org/). The idea is to enable fish-ermen communities to get alternative incomes from non-fish aquacultureproduction and from farming. A specific training program needs to bedeveloped with the help of one MSc student from YAU and one from HAFL.Field research is to be completed in 2016.

Myanmar HansSchaltenbrand

Analysis of Certification Systems in the Rwandan Coffee Sector

There are about 400,000 small-scale coffee farmers in Rwanda. Coffeefrom Rwanda has the potential to grow high-quality coffee because of itsexcellent agro-ecological conditions: good rainfall, altitude, climate andvolcanic soils. The thesis shall analyse which certifications schemes aremore favourable for small-scale coffee farmers.

Rwanda Ingrid Fromm

The Economics of the Malaysian Cocoa Value Chain

Malaysia is one of the main cocoa producing countries worldwide. Despitethe increase in production over the last decades, Malaysia is trying toposition itself as one of the leading grinding country. This thesis will lookin detail at all the changes in the value chain, the changes currently taking

place and analyse the economic situation as the country moves from be-ing a producer to a processor.

Malaysia Ingrid Fromm


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Analysis of Fairtrade Certification

In 2011-12, a big evaluation study on Fairtrade was conducted with the

aim to measure the development impact of the certification in severalproduction countries. The study was carried out by a renowned evaluationcentre and looked into 6 cases: flowers (in Kenya), cocoa (in Ghana), cof-fee and banana (in Peru), and tea and cotton (in India). However, the datacollected has not been completely analysed. The focus of the studentswork would therefore be to carry out thorough (statistical) analysis withone or several of the named products/study cases, and thus independent-ly contribute to the very pertinent discussion on the impact of sustainabil-ity labelling.

Switzerland,Perhaps Short

Travel Abroad

Ingrid Fromm

Improving Value Chains of Community Small Scale Fish Farming (Aq-uaculture) for Improving Livelihood and Food Security

Assist the WorldFish Center (www.worldfishcenter.org) value chain scien-tists in a project on value chain analysis of fish farming to increase liveli-

hoods and food security of local communities. The work implies fieldwork using participatory methods and testing out new approaches forparticipatory value chain development. Language: English.

Bangladesh,Zambia, Asia

AlessandraGiuliani

Developing Entrepreneurship in Agriculture Value Chains in the GreatLakes Region

The project makes a special effort to support young talents, linking localtalent to foreign talent. Starting 2014, bachelor and master students fromthe Netherlands and Switzerland will be invited to conduct specific re-search and support the projects' activities. Specific emphasis will be puton research on value adding activities, promoting entrepreneurship, iden-tifying innovations and analysing socio-economic issues. Research willdirectly support the projects' objectives and will contribute valuable in-formation and recommendations. In return for this vital research, CATAL-IST-2 will provide young talent with the opportunity to conduct research in

the field and gain experience working with an international developmentsetting. Each position will be available for an international student AND anational/regional student. These two students will work side-by-side,learning from each other and working towards the same goals as a team.

Rwanda

Burundi

Urs Egger

Traabilit : quelles solutions adapter aux besoins et capacitsdes filires de produits de qualit?

Traabilit : quelles solutions adapter aux besoins et capacits des filiresde produits de qualit? Les consommateurs de produits alimentaires sontde plus en plus soucieux de la qualit des produits agro-alimentaires et deleur lieux de production. Dans le cas des produits avec indicationgographique, lorigine des produits et donc leur traabilit est bien srcentrale. Pour les filires les plus avances, de nouvelles technologies (IT,marqueurs) permettent une plus grande efficacit. Pour dautres filires et

en particulier dans les pays mergents, la difficult se situe plutt dans lacapacit des producteurs mettre en place et grer des systmes de tra-abilit. Le travail peut se faire par ordre de prfrence en An-glais/Franais, Allemand, Italien.

Urs Egger

Forestry, Switzerland

Marketing & labeling Swiss agroforestry products

There is need for innovative marketing strategies to improve the profita-bility of agroforestry systems. In Switzerland, for example, one of the keydrivers of declining cultural landscapes is the low price of the tree prod-ucts. In an attempt to increase profitability, several food products thatoriginate from ag-roforestry systems are marketed with a label (e.g.Hochstamm-Suisse, Posamenter etc.). However, there is no overview of thevarious label products, the label conditions, the advantages and disad-

vantages of agroforestry label production and the quantities produced.Research tasks: i) Identify innovative tree products and marketing strate-gies that could increase the profitability of agroforestry systems. ii) Createan inventory of agroforestry related label production in Switzerland, in-


Firesenai Sereke


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cluding an overview of label requirements, quantities produced, costs andprices (price difference to non-label products). This overview should be a

basis for a Europe-wide inventory and overview of agroforestry label prod-ucts.

The Significance of Non-Timber Products in Swiss Forests Throughthe Ages

The work would be done in tandem with an MSc student of a tropicalcountry who would use a similar methodology to assess the significanceof NTFPs and the change in their importance for nutrition, human health.

Switzerland

(and Togo orGhana)

Jrgen Blaser

Forestry, International

Interaction Between Sheep Grazing and Forest Landscape Conserva-tion in Eastern Macedonia

Socio-cultural and biodiversity study to better understand and value theinteraction of sheep breading and forest management.

Macedonia Jrgen Blaser

Potential of Geographical Indications for Forest Products Astrid Zabel

Cross-Cutting Questions and Others, International

Improving Market Access Through Farmer's Organisations in Benin

Analysis of existing farmer's organisation, their strengths and weakness-es. The aim of the study is to inform the SDC programme in Benin aboutthe viability of working with farmer's organizations for the improvementof small farmer's livelihoods through improved market access.

Benin Karin Zbinden

From Camel meat to fondue: changing food habits of Somali migrantsto Switzerland

The student will work within a research project in collaboration betweentwo departments of the BFH (HAFL and WGS (Business, Health, and SocialWork) and MARIL, a private research institute in Ethiopia. The project aims

at assessing how rural migrant population from pastoral societies adapttheir nutrition patterns when moving to industrialized countries. The rea-sons behind food choices and the impact on balances nutrition are ana-lysed additionally for the two settings. The focus lies on the Somali com-munity. Intervention needs and resources to promote healthy lifestylechanges will be identified and enable the planning of further project stag-es.

Horn of Africa

Switzerland

Pascal WaeltiAlessandra

Giuliani

Developing New Quality Products Derived by Medicinal and AromaticPlants (produits de terroir) in Morocco, for the Local, National andExport Market (i.e. in Switzerland), to Add Value to the Local Medicinaland Aromatic Plants and Benefit Poor Rural Communities ProducingMedicinal Plants in Morocco

The work will be in the framework of the project ASAP-M, funded by SDC

and implemented by SBA Lausanne and HAFL. (http://asapmaroc.com/),with the global aim of increase incomes and improve employment in Mo-rocco through the strengthening of professional associations related toagriculture. The work will be directly with the SOMAPAM, the organisationfor the medicinal plants in Morocco, and the University of University ofErrachidia (http://www.fste-umi.ac.ma/) Here is the possibility to work intandem with a MSc Moroccan student. Language: French and English.

Morocco AlessandraGiuliani

Enhancing the Production and Processing of Cassava Through Im-proved Varieties to Increase Income Generation and Food Security ofSmall Farmers in Tamil Nadu (Southern India)

The thesis will be conducted in the framework of a project of the Indo-Swiss Cassava Biotechnology Research Network and in close collaborationwith the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore, South-ern India. The thesis will contribute to the socio-economic research relat-

ed to the improving production and marketing of cassava in Tamil Nadu.According to the students interest, the thesis can focus on different as-pects of the project: farmers adoption of or resistance to new improvedcassava varieties (including GMO), cassava value chain analysis of differen-

India AlessandraGiuliani


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tiated cassava products processed in Tamil Nadu by small factories, Socio-economic analysis of tribal farmers producing cassava on hilly areas, or

subsistence farmers in southern districts of Tamil Nadu for house holdconsumption. Language: English.

Food Systems, Switzerland

Does a (Partial) Market Liberalization of Swiss Red Meat Market Re-duce Shopping Tourism?

Red meat markets in Switzerland are still highly protected. The big pricedifferences to the EU are drivers for shopping in neighbouring countries.In this context the following questions are to be studied: Which are thebeneficiaries of liberalization? What are costs and benefits for Swiss agri-culture and tax payers?


Less Swiss Honey due to Free Trade Agreements?

This thesis aim is to analyse the impact of different tax levels in differentFTAs on Swiss honey producers, as well as the consequences in the SwissHoney market under special consideration of the market structure (Mi-gros, Coop).


Consumer Food Waste in Switzerland

Food waste is an old phenomenon that lately has been rediscovered. It isestimated that 45% of all food loss/waste is caused by consumers. How-ever, only little research has been done to investigate and understandconsumer behaviour in regard of food waste. In this master thesis you willclose this gap by conducting a paper-and-pencil survey representative forSwitzerland. Thereby, you will identify the drivers of food waste. Knowingthe drivers you will be able to suggest measures that help to prevent con-sumer food waste.

Switzerland Thomas Brunner

Ernhrungssystem Basel

Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojekts Ernhrungssystem Basel sollerhoben werden, wie die Bevlkerung der Stadtregion zu Essen,Ernhrung, Lebensmittelproduktion steht. Fragen hierbei sind: WelcheThemen sind fr sie in diesem Zusammenhang wichtig? WelcheVorstellungen und Prferenzen hat die Bevlkerung fr lokale Produkte?Gibt es Unterschiede in der Bevlkerung? Welche Formen von urbanerLandwirtschaft wnscht sich die Bevlkerung? Die Masterarbeit erfolgt inZusammenarbeit mit FiBL Schweiz und Urban Agriculture Basel

Switzerland

Basel

Evelyn Markoni

Edible InsectsMeat provides protein for humans. Its production requires a high resourceinput, which has a negative impact regarding environmental and socialaspects. Therefore researchers are looking for alternative sources of pro-tein, such as edible insects. Today 65% of the world population alreadyeats them. But, why are edible insects not offered for consumption in

Switzerland? In this master thesis a paper-and-pencil survey is elaboratedin order to analyse consumers attitudes towards eating insects, focusedon Switzerland. Literature: Van Huis, A. et al. (2013). Edible insects. Futureprospects for food and feed security. Rome, Food and Agriculture Organi-zation of the United Nations (FAO).

Switzerland Thomas Brunner

Labeled Products from Agroforestry SystemsIn Switzerland, several food products that originate from agroforestrysystems are marketed with a label (e.g. Hochstamm-Suisse, Posamenteretc.). There is no overview of the various label products, the label condi-tions, the advantages and disadvantages of agroforestry label production,the quantities produced, etc. Create an inventory of agroforestry relatedlabel production in Switzerland with an overview of label requirements,quantities produced, costs and prices (price difference to non-label prod-ucts), etc. This overview should be a basis for a Europe-wide inventory and

overview of agroforestry label products.



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Food Systems, International

Free Trade Agreement Switzerland - India: A Potential for Swiss agri-cultural exports?

Actual bilateral trade flows; analysis of the Indian market; future demandof growing cities in India; potential for Swiss agricultural and food prod-ucts.

India Urs Egger

Ex-Post Analysis of Switzerlands Free Trade Agreements

The thesis shall answer following questions: Coverage of products? Exten-sion of preferential margins? Development of agricultural trade with e.g.Morocco, Mexico, Chile etc. Which concessions were made by Switzerland?


Free Trade Agreement Switzerland India: A Potential for Swiss Agri-cultural Exports?

By analysing trade statistics and conducting interviews with export com-panies, the actual bilateral trade flows shall be described, the Indian mar-

ket analysed and the future demand of growing cities in India elaborated.The outcome of the thesis describes the potential for Swiss agriculturaland food products on the Indian market.


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Thesis Proposals of Engineering