INTRODUCTION

The livelihoods of the world’s poor rise and fall with the fate of agriculture. Enhancing the ability of smallholders to connect with the knowledge, networks, and institutions necessary to improve their productivity, food security, and employment opportunities is a fundamental development challenge. Where once rural areas were largely disconnected from the greater world, today, networks of information and communication technologies (ICTs) enmesh the globe and represent a transformational opportunity for rural populations, both as producers and consumers. However, realizing this opportunity requires a long-term commitment to mobilizing appropriate resources and expertise.

This training programme is designed to support practitioners, decision-makers, and development partners who work at the intersection of ICT and agriculture. Our hope is that it becomes a practical guide to understanding current trends, implementing appropriate interventions, and evaluating the impact of those programs.

DURATION

5 days

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

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

COURSE LEVEL: Intermediate

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Gain basic skills in ICT in agriculture.
• Appreciate the need for ICT integration in agribusiness development.
• Understand current trends in ICTs as they pertain to agriculture and the contributions that ICT can make to enhance agricultural strategies and their implementation.
• Design, implement, and evaluate appropriate and sustainable ICT components of agricultural projects.
• Build effective public and private partnerships to promote ICT access and innovation for agriculture.
• Include ICT in policy dialogue and planning with country counterparts on agricultural and rural development goals and priorities.
• Understand the application of ICT in farm production, inventory management, and marketing and in extension services.
• Gain knowledge on gender equitable skills in ICT development in agriculture which is a major player towards rural development.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED

• Introduction to ICT in agricultural development
• Making ICT Infrastructure, appliances, and services more accessible and affordable in rural areas
• Mobile devices and services and their impact on agriculture and rural development
• Gender-equitable, ICT-enabled agricultural development
• Increasing crop, livestock, and fishery productivity through ICT
• ICTs as enablers of agricultural innovation systems
• Broadening smallholders’ access to financial services through ICT
• ICT application in farmer organizations
• ICT enabled agricultural extension
• Strengthening agricultural marketing with ICT
• ICT applications for smallholder inclusion in agribusiness supply chains
• ICT applications for agricultural risk management
• Improving food safety and traceability while empowering smallholders through ICT
• Strengthening rural governance, institutions, and citizen participation using ICT
• ICT for land administration and management
• Inventory management with ICT
• GIS and RS application in agriculture

Course Administration Details:

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.

All facilitation and course materials will be offered in English. The participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

ACCREDITATION

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with an Indepth Research Institute (IRES) certificate certified by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).

TRAINING VENUE

The training will be held at IRES Training Centre. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments and lunch.

All participants will additionally cater for their, travel expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

ACCOMMODATION AND AIRPORT PICKUP

Accommodation and airport pickup are arranged upon request. For reservations contact the Training Officer.

Email:[email protected].  

Mob: +254 715 077 817

TAILOR- MADE

This training can also be customized to suit the needs of your institution upon request. You can have it delivered in our IRES Training Centre or at a convenient location.

For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254 715 077 817.

Mob: +254 792516000, +254 792516010 or mail [email protected]

PAYMENT

Payment should be transferred to IRES account through bank before the course start date

Send proof of payment to [email protected]

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