Training Course on Establishing And Strengthening Farmer Organizations, Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya

Farmers’ organizations (FO) are effective channels of communication between the member-farmers. Without them, a situation of isolated voices would arise, that lack coordination and general power to affect the behavior of agricultural service providers. Formation of groups and farmer organizations is at times done without training them properly in theory and practice on the basic principles of community organizations. Majority of the farmers do not have many skills and experience in the process of establishing these organizations. However, many government agencies have developed national policies for rural development and designed policy framework to help rural people become organized so that delivery of services could be channelled through the various types of farmer organizations or groups. However, a number of issues surround the establishment and functioning of farmer organizations remains unaddressed. 

Duration

5 days

Who should attend?

This course is meant for various actors in the Agriculture Extension (Agricultural extension officers, senior agricultural officials and policy makers) working with communities, in governments, funding agencies, Research organizations and non-government organizations among others for Agriculture support activities and other Development programmes.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, learners will have:

·         Have gained practical knowledge on the various types of typical Farmer organizations

·         Understood the key steps in establishing farmer organizations

·         Be able to establish the roles of extension services in farmer organizations

·         Understood the key issues influencing participation in farmer organizations

·         Understood the various strategies/empowerment methods that can be applied to farmer organizations

·         Knowledge of the policy issues influencing establishment and strengthening of farmer organizations

Course Content

a. Introduction

b. Historical Perspective

c. Agricultural Development

d. Empowerment

e. New Roles for Extension

·         Empowerment Role

·         Community-Organizing Role

·         Human resource Development Role

·         Problem Solving and Education Role

f. Farmer Organizations

·         Types of Organizations

·         Issues Influencing Participation in FOs

·         The Role of Extension in Farmer Organizations

g. Steps in Establishing farmer organizations

h. How to Strengthen Existing FOs

i. Policy issues in Establishing and Strengthening Farmer Organization

j. Management Through Education

Methodology

The instructor led trainings are delivered using a blended learning approach and comprises of presentations, guided sessions of practical exercise, web-based tutorials and group work. Our facilitators are seasoned industry experts with years of experience, working as professional and trainers in these fields.

Key Notes

i. The participant must be conversant with English.

ii. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

iii. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

iv. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

v. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

vi. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.