How many women scientists received this year’ s AWARD fellowship? [br] [origina

Sixty women from a variety of agricultural science backgrounds were among receivers of this year’ s AWARD fellowship—the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development.
    Vicki Wilde, AWARD’S executive director. Wilde says the two-year fellowship helps top African female scientists strengthen their research and leaderships skills to alleviate poverty across the continent. Since 2008, 180 women have been chosen from among 1,500 applicants. Ruth Amata, a senior research officer at the Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) is one of this year’s winners.
    Amata says her goal is to improve food security despite Kenya’ s often harsh weather conditions. Amata says she also hopes to learn from other African women scientists.
    Maryam Imbumi, a nutritionist from South Africa, was a fellow in 2009. She concentrates on malnutrition among children under five and women who breastfeed. Imbumi says it is important to solve the problem with a diverse approach.
    AWARD Executive Director Vicki Wilde says the fellowship program’s short-term impact is clear.
    Female farmers play a big role in African agriculture. The Kenyan research firm ASTI says women make up 60 to 80 percent of the agricultural force in Africa. The 180 women who have received fellowships have come from 10 African countries.