Capacity Development (CD) is at the core of PARM. It allows progressive ownership by local actors, which gives sustainability to the Platform’s country processes. This is why PARM is strengthening its CD activities in Ethiopia over its new phase called PARM Horizon 2 (2019-2024).

In collaboration with Hawassa University and the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MoANR), PARM has supported the organization of two training sessions on agricultural risk management (ARM). The training sessions were delivered in the cities of Asosa and Adama, targeting regional state extension workers.

The activities fall under the umbrella of the Agricultural Growth Program, a multifaceted investment initiative funded by the Work Bank aimed at supporting agricultural productivity and commercialization.

Traning 1: Asosa, 23 November – 3 December

The training organized in Asosa, for regional, zonal, Woreda and grass root level experts from Benshangul Gumuz and Gambella regional states included different ARM lessons. The selection of trainees was done by the MoANR in collaboration with the regional offices. Accordingly :

• A total of 32 participants (14 from Gambella and 17 from Benshangul Gumuz regional states) successfully attended the training;
• Among the trainees, eight were women and 24 were men;
• Only 12.5 per cent of the training participants were from the regional offices while 35 per cent were grass-root level development agents and the remaining 52.5 per cent were from the mid-level zonal and woreda offices;
• All the trainees graduated from recognized ATVETs and Universities, they have a diploma or a BSc degree in Agriculture and related discipline;
• The trainees were mainly interested in crop production and mixed crop-livestock system (commonly agriculture and agro-pastoral system). Most of the population in Benshangul Gumuz depends on crop production while Gambella is transforming from an animal-based system into the mixed farming system;

Traning 2: Adama, 7-17 December

The training conducted in Adama contemplated trainees from regional, zonal, Woreda, and grass-root level experts from Afar and Somali regional states. The two regions are pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, which are different from the training targets of Asosa. The selection of trainees was undertaken by the MoANR in collaboration with the regional offices. Accordingly:

• A total of 22 participants (13 from Afar and 9 from Somali regional states) successfully attended the training;
• Six trainees were women (from Afar) while 16 were men;
• Only 22.7 per cent of the training participants were from the regional office while 27.3 per cent were grass-root level development agents and the remaining 50 per cent were from the mid-level zonal and woreda offices;
• All the trainees graduated from recognized Universities or Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training centres (ATVETs), holding a diploma or BSc degree in Agriculture or related disciplines;
• The trainees were mainly interested in pastoral and agro-pastoral systems. Most of the population in the two regions are at a low level of transforming from a fully pastoral based system into an agro-pastoral farming system.

COVER PHOTO CREDIT:
Mintsnot