Course Summary:

The course aims at providing training on agricultural policy with a view to strengthening and/or renewing the knowledge and capacity of African policy makers, including senior managers, negotiators, advisors, planners and analysts, to meet the core challenges of growing the agricultural sector as a central engine of national economic development and social policy

Agriculture is the mainstay of nearly two-thirds of Africans. In addition to being an important source of individual and household incomes, it also constitutes the bedrock of most national economies. Agricultural production and the domestic trade in agricultural products are central to the functioning of local markets, the fight against poverty, the provision of employment, and the quest for greater national food security.

Course Objectives:

• A better understanding of the multi-faceted nature of agricultural development in Africa, and an exposure to a range of alternative approaches to growing the agricultural sector for sustained national development;
• Enhanced capacity to formulate, implement, monitor and evaluate domestic agricultural policy for improved output and productivity, and the attainment of other strategic national development objectives;
• An updated comparative knowledge of agricultural policies and practices from other regions of the world;
• An improved capacity to apply practical tools and methods to the diagnosis and resolution of agricultural development problems; and
• An improvement of the capacity to participate effectively in international agricultural trade negotiations.

Course Outline

THE BUSINESS OF FARMING

• Understand the role of agriculture in the local, regional and international economies;
• Know the range of agricultural careers and related training opportunities and institutions;
• Develop the skills to make accurate observations and interpret data from simple experiments;
• Know the importance of alternative farming techniques;
• Understand that the farm is an economic unit engaged in profitable production of commodities;
• Understand the importance of marketing as an economic activity that links production to consumption;
• Develop knowledge and understanding of international trade agreements and note their impact on the agricultural sector;
• Know the role of support services in modern agricultural economies;
• Know that success in any business venture is 

CROP PRODUCTION

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the economic importance of agriculture in africa;
• Develop an understanding of the inter-relationships between the physical environment and agriculture;
• Develop the skill to investigate the relationship of the physical and chemical properties of soil to plant growth;
• Understand the structure and functions of plants;
• Understand the phases of crop growth in relation to yield and nutritional value;
• Develop the skill to produce vegetable crops of local and regional importance, efficiently and profitably;
• Develop safe practices in handling chemicals in crop production;
• Understand how crops can be improved by breeding, selection and biotechnology;
• Understand the term postharvest technology and appreciate the significance of the various stages of maturity in relation to harvesting times;
• Be able to understand the various steps in the handling of crops after harvest until consumption;
• Understand the basic principles of processing agricultural crops and the various methods of utilizing these crops.

ANIMAL PRODUCTION

• Demonstrate an understanding of livestock production in the africa;
• Understand how the inputs and processes interact in animal production systems;
• Understand the technologies used in producing and marketing animal and animal products;
• Know the biology of animals and its interactions with the environment

HORTICULTURE

• Develop knowledge and understanding of horticultural practices;
• Understand the factors that contribute to good soil management;
• Develop awareness of the methods of integrated pest management (ipm);
• Appreciate the symbiotic relationship between soil properties and plant growth

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

• Develop knowledge and understanding of the principles of good management practices in the rearing of livestock;
• Appreciate the economic importance to be derived from rearing of livestock;
• Understand to the importance of good record keeping practices in the management of farms.