Faculty: Land and Food Systems
Program: Master of Food and Resource Economics
Year: 2018
Country: Rwanda
Espoir is a recent graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Food Industry Management and a minor in Agribusiness and Environmental Sustainability. Having grown up in an area surrounded with malnutrition, food shortages and poverty, he observed first-hand how dependent his community is on agriculture as a primary source of income. This has driven his interest to become a steward of successful African agriculture and food industry. During his undergraduate program, he was heavily involved in research focused on the latter. He has chosen to pursue a graduate program in Food and Resource Economics at the University of British Columbia as he believes it would grant him the opportunity to engage in research on the advanced systems in Food and Economic Resources. Espoir is confident in UBC’s supportive research environment and strong academic support systems. He is determined to return to Sub Saharan Africa and use his experience and research to advocate and help many smallholder farmers. He is interested in research that would study the economic implications for farmer investment in value- added business. He envisions sustainable agriculture production, food and nutrition security on the African continent.
Espoir is most excited to meet people, experience Canadian culture, and explore UBC’s world-class resources and opportunities. He would like to continue to engage progressively in new challenges and being open to new experiences.