🔬 Research Project: "STEAM-Powered Food Security" 🌐

My research project, "STEAM-Powered Food Security," investigated the potential of new technologies, such as 3D printing and virtual reality, in creating more effective educational materials for macadamia farmers, specifically Junior Agriculture Technicians (JAT), and other development agencies in Nepal. The goal was to provide open-source tools for best practices in macadamia nursery and grafting management to enhance production. Preliminary research indicated a strong correlation between meaningful engagement and the use of technology applications, including VR photos of macadamia nurseries and orchards, mobile videos, and illustrated step-by-step laminated guides demonstrating nursery and grafting management. Out of 65 participating farmers, 60 found the educational training materials "Very Helpful," while the remaining 5 found them "Helpful" in supporting their understanding of new concepts and techniques related to macadamia nut cultivation in Nepal. This collaborative project involved researchers Dr. Andrea Barrueto, Dr. Juerg Merz, Australian macadamia expert Kim Wilson, Helvetas Nepal, the Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), and Teachers College, Columbia University. 🌿 🔍

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