Grant to build capacity among agricultural extension workers 2009

Duration: 2009-2013

Budget: 694.906

With this programme, the Government of Flanders supports the training of agricultural extension workers. These civil servants are crucial for the livestock farming policy of the Malawian Government. This programme runs parallel with the programme to strengthen the Department of Agricultural Extension Services (DAES).

Duration and budget

An amount of 694,906 euros was earmarked for the five partners. The programme runs over four years, from 2009 to 2013.

Problem definition

The Malawian Government worked out the national action plan for food security and nutrition in consultation with its partners. The idea is to increase the national agricultural production. Within this plan the Government of Flanders supports the sub-sector of livestock farming. Malawi’s government wants more families who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods to focus on this sector. The reason for this is that livestock farming may act as a buffer sector in periods of food shortage.

However, in order to expand this sector, families need to be informed. This is done by agricultural extension workers. Malawi is faced with an acute shortage of vets and agricultural extension workers. In addition, most agricultural extension workers were trained more than ten years ago. During that ten-year period their knowledge was hardly or not at all brushed up.

Practical implementation

The Flemish aid is allocated to several partners. A capacity increase in three agricultural schools should result in the graduation of more agricultural extension workers. The training material in schools and training institutes should also be improved. This will allow extension workers to provide a better service.

This project will also enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture, and especially of the Department of Agricultural Extension Services (DAES), as well as of the local NGO SSLLP (Small Scale Livestock and Livelihoods Program) which already has great expertise in this field.

Partner

Each partner will make a specific contribution to the realisation of this programme.

  • Mikolongwe College of Veterinary Science
  • Natural Resources College
  • Bunda College of Agriculture
  • Department of Agricultural Extension Services (DAES) – Ministry of Agriculture
  • Small Scale Livestock and Livelihoods Program (SSLLP)