Course Description

THE RATIONALE

This training program 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 in understanding current trends, implementing appropriate interventions, and evaluating the impact of those programs.

The fate of agriculture adversely affects the livelihoods of the world. Enhancing the ability of smallholders to connect with the knowledge, networks, and institutions necessary to improve their productivity, food security, distribution channels and employment opportunities is a fundamental development challenge.  The world has become a global village as today; networks of information and communication technologies (ICTs) engulf 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.

THE COURSE OBJECTIVES:

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Gain basic skills in ICT relating to 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.

 THE COURSE OUTLINE

The course will cover the following:

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO ICT

• Introduction to ICT in development of agriculture
• Accessibility and Affordability of ICT in rural areas
• Technologies affecting agriculture and rural development

MODULE 2: GENDER AND AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION SYSTEMS

• Gender and ICT agricultural development
• Farm production through ICT
• ICTs as enablers of agricultural innovation systems
• Financial services through ICT for smallholders

MODULE 3: AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS & ICT APPLICATION

• ICT application use in agricultural organizations
• Agricultural extension through ICT
• ICT and marketing agriculture
• Agricultural risk management using ICT applications

MODULE 4: ROLE OF ICT IN AGRICULTURE

• Role of ICT in improving food security
• Role of ICT in the inclusion of smallholders in agricultural supply chain
• Role of ICT in promoting rural governance, participation by citizens and organizations in agriculture

MODULE 5: AGRICULTURAL ICT ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT

• Administration and management of land through ICT
• ICT an inventory management
• Application of GIS and RS in agriculture

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Professions in the agricultural extension sector including decision makers
• Governments and NGOs
• Financial institutions & research institutions dedicated to supporting agricultural activities and developmental programs

Delivery Method: Combines lectures, discussions, practical activities, case studies, scenario based group exercises and illustrations.

Venue:   Lagos

Fee:

Duration: 1 week

Course Date: Dec 12th-16th 2022