Curriculum Development - the value chain challenges By Belay Kassa

The Ethiopian Agricultural Extension System The public agricultural extension system has been more production-oriented and gives less emphasis to value addition; A “technology push” mindset dominates, while knowledge of participatory methods and how to be responsive to farmers is rare;

The Ethiopian Agricultural Extension System More precisely, the public agricultural extension system focuses on technology transfer More precisely, the public agricultural extension system focuses on technology transfer; Enhancing production & productivity (use of improved inputs, cultural practices, etc. ); Enhancing production & productivity (use of improved inputs, cultural practices, etc. ); Crop protection; Crop protection; Animal health; Animal health; Natural resource management; Natural resource management;

Why Agricultural Value Chain? Annual losses in the vicinity of % of potential grain production due to poor pre-harvest practices and natural disasters; Losses of up to 30 per cent postharvest due to inappropriate collection, transport, storage, pest control etc.; The majority of food producers sell their “marketable surplus” right after harvest when prices are low;

Why Agricultural Value Chain Contd…. Small scale food producers have weak bargaining power (are price takers); Small scale food producers have weak bargaining power (are price takers); Producers receive low proportion of the consumer price (high marketing margin); Low level of value-addition and low potential for job creation; Limited transport and communications infrastructure;

Why Agricultural Value Chain Contd…. Knowledge of the development agents very much limited on aspects of post-harvest handling, processing, marketing, business skills, entrepreneurial approach etc. (other than production);

The Concept of Value Chain A value chain is made up of a series of actors from input suppliers, producers and processors, to exporters and buyers-engaged in the activities required to bring a product from its conception to its end use;

8 Retailer Farmer Producer Coop trader Inputs The Concept Value Chain Contd… Opportunities Market Intelligence Reliable Outlets Market Intelligence Embedded Services Finance facilities Processor Consumer Market

The Concept of Value Chain Contd… The whole concept of a value chain is aimed at making markets work better for farmers. A value chain is focused on enabling farmers to: increase their level of competitiveness; receive higher social and economic benefits than otherwise; to produce for an identified market, rather than trying to sell what they have already produced; and seek new market opportunities that offer higher levels of income.

The Concept of Value Chain Contd… All actors along the value chain will be able to exchange market information and products efficiently; This improves the performance of the chain and generates direct and/or indirect benefits to all the participants in the chain; Some NGOs have been doing commendable work in terms of promoting value chain based agricultural advisory service delivery system;

Examples of Value Chain Development Approach Value Chain ACDI/ VOCA GRADLMDOXFAMSNVSG2000** Cereals XXX Chickpea X Coffee X X* Dairy X Gum & incense X Hides & Skins X Haricot Beans (white Pea beans) X Honey X X*X Livestock fattening XX X Maize X X Red pepper X Rice X Sesame X X* Vegetables X X* Wheat X X *Since 2007/08 ** Productivity enhancement, processing, post-harvest handling and marketin

The Training Programs Regular Program in Rural Development & Agricultural Extension at HU started in the 1994/95 academic year; ; The mid-career B.Sc. agricultural extension programme at Haramaya University was launched in the 1996/1997 academic year; Hawassa University started the program in the 2006/2007 academic year; Bahir Dar and Mekelle universities opened the program in the 2011/2012 academic year; Wollo University in the 2012/2013 AY; Jimma University in the 2013/2014 AY;

The Training Program Contd… The need to reflect the reality on the ground and produce competent and confident graduates with entrepreneurial skills and abilities to deal with the wider problems of rural development; Student SEPs, identified through participatory methods, made it clear that there was a need to embrace a holistic approach to agricultural extension service delivery; The need to stay relevant and respond to the demands expressed by the agricultural extension service users; ;

The Training Program Contd… Three professors from the University of Cape Coast provided technical support to the Ethiopian Team in late 2010; Three professors from the University of Cape Coast provided technical support to the Ethiopian Team in late 2010; Food Safety/Hygiene and Quality Assurance Standards by Prof. Fred Odoi; Value Chain Approach in Agricultural Enterprise by A. Obeng Mensah & J. A. Kwarteng; Mainstreaming Value Chain into the Curriculum by A. Obeng Mensah & J. A. Kwarteng;

The Training Program Contd… The old curriculum was revised with active participation and useful inputs of key stakeholders; The revised curriculum for Agricultural Value Chain-oriented Extension Training for Mid-career Extension Professionals was made ready in April 2011; The new curriculum has been implemented beginning the 2011/12 academic year;

Recommendations Cascade the value chain oriented training to the regular B.Sc. and ATVET programs; Cascade the value chain oriented training to the regular B.Sc. and ATVET programs; Provide in-service training program to development agents who are on active duty; Provide in-service training program to development agents who are on active duty; Address cross cutting issues, such as Address cross cutting issues, such as basic leadership development skills, agribusiness and marketing, demographic challenges, environmental protection, sustainable development, food security, etc in other agricultural training programs. Overhaul the current agricultural extension service delivery by embedding the concepts of value chain; Overhaul the current agricultural extension service delivery by embedding the concepts of value chain;

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