Training Opportunities

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in collaboration with the Postharvest and Marketng Research Network of Eastern and Central Africa (FOODNET), Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Rural Agro-enterprise Development Project (Natural Resource Management Division) Agribusiness Development Centre (Uganda), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Technoserve, ASARECA Networks announces a two-week regional training course on Agro-enterprise Development.

Course dates May 1-12, 2001

General objective The course aims to contribute to the strengthening of institutional capacity in the design, formulation and implementation of research and development projects  It is intended that research and development projects would integrate the components of production, postharvest/processing and marketing in a holistic  enterprise context, with the aim of linking small farmers with growth markets and motivating preservation of natural resources.  This course, the first of its kind in Africa, will provide a conceptual framework, methodologies and analytical tools that will permit the participants to improve decision-making with regard to rural agroenterprise development, within the context of sustainable agricultural development at micro-regional level.

Specific Objectives:  After training, participants will be better able to:

1. discuss economic development models focusing on the concepts of free market and globalisation;

2. analyse the constraints to sustainable agro-enterprise development using.case studies of national situations in Africa;

3. describe rural agro- enterprise systems and prioritize investment and research.project portfolios;

4. collect and analyse marketing data to identify market opportunities for rural agro-enterprises;

5. design and formulate research and development projects; and

6. undertake feasibility studies of pre-investment projects.

Course Content:

 1. Changing economic models (free market, globalization) and their impact on rural society

 2. Causes and effects of degradation of natural resources; strategy for management of natural resources – community participation and organisation;

 3. Sustainable development at micro-regional level: principles of program  design for sustainable agro-enterprise development

 4. Rural agro-enterprise systems: integrated production chains, market intelligence, support services (management and administration, credit, technical assistance, training etc), prioritization of portfolios of investment and research projects

 5. Integrated Agro-enterprise Projects: collection and analysis of information, participatory planning of projects, technology search and selection strategies; participatory development of technologies with users; feasibility studies for pre-investment projects; measurement of adoption and impact; enterprise organization for the implementation of agro-enterprise projects; design and formulation of research and development projects

Selection: Twenty (20-25) participants will be accepted for the course. Selection will be made by a FOODNET committee from nominations made by staff of National Agricultural Research Programs, NGOs, Universities, Private sector agents. Full scholarships will be provided by FOODNET and other collaborating ASARECA networks, self funded sponsorship through other agencies is also welcomed.

Education: A BSc degree or equivalent in agricultural economics, agriculture, or other discipline related to rural development, or at least 2 years of experience with an NGO in the area of enterprise development or at least 5 years work experience in the private sector.

Experience: 2 years of experience in a government or non-governmental institution associated with rural enterprise development activities.

Language: English

Course Fees: $12-1500 (to be ascertained)

Venue: IITA, Kampala,-/ Kawandi Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)

Deadline for Application: Completed application forms must be received by The Coordinator, Group Training, IITA, PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Nigeria or The Coordinator, FOODNET, P.O. Box 7878, Kampala at least one month before course commencement.

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