Livelihoods
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Browsing Livelihoods by Document Type "Course"
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PublicationAG191A: Fundamentals of Agricultural Extension( 2020-04)The term ‘Extension’, has different connotations in different countries. In India, it refers to ‘Transfer of technology; in USA, it means ‘Education’; while in UK, it is advisory work and so on. Extension education is relatively the youngest science, and has the history of about 170 years. There are many misconceptions about extension which need to be addressed. Extension education has developed as a discipline and also as a profession. In recent years, it has emerged as an important service sector. With the developments in technology information, it has emerged as important input in agricultural production. The role of extension professional is to treat the information according to the needs of the client system. Providing customized information to the needy clients is the priority area of extension. // This course deals with objectives, principles, philosophy and dimensions of extension. Programme planning is part of extension. The historic efforts of planning and implementation of extension programmes provide us insights to develop future extension programmes. The implications of innovations and its consequences are the components that have been covered in the course. The latest trends in extension science herald significance of extension in agricultural production. An effort has been made to differentiate between extension educationists and extension service providers. The understandings of fundamentals of extension education lead to development of extension professionals. -
PublicationAG364A: Integrated Pest Management( 2020-04)Insect pests cause huge economic loss to crops across the globe affecting total food production which is essential to meet the demands of growing human population. Avoiding such loss is of the immediate concern for all and this is achievable through Integrated Pest Management (IPM). // This course on IPM will cover the basics of insects and their dominance in nature, insects as pests, reasons for their outbreak resulting in crop loss, types of pests, and mode of surveillance, sampling methods and economic damage levels of pest populations. The course also explains about the principles and concepts of pest management and different components of IPM: legal, ecological, physical, cultural, mechanical, behavioral, biological, botanical, chemical and biotechnological approaches. // This course also talks on Integration of different IPM tactics, their pros and cons and Implementation of AESA - Agro-ecosystem Analysis in pest management. Lastly, successful IPM cases in Cereals (Paddy), Commercial Crops (Cotton, Sugarcane), Pulses (Redgram, Soybean), Oilseed Crop (Groundnut), Vegetable Crops (Cabbage, Tomato) and Fruit Crops (Mango, Grapes) will be discussed.
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PublicationThe Blue Economy: Blue Space( 2021-03)Planet earth’s defining feature is the ocean and it is the reason that life exists. It produces oxygen, absorbs carbon dioxide, and contributes to freshwater renewal. It connects countries and cultures and supports ecosystems that bridge national boundaries. Nations are increasingly looking to the ocean to meet the needs of their people, particularly coastal communities and islands. Some are looking at their large lakes and rivers to do the same. This MOOC introduces the key activities that take place in, and influence, coastal and marine space, for example, coastal and climate adaptation, tourism, shipping and port infrastructure, waste, and maritime security.
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PublicationGood Agricultural Practices (GAP): An Introductory Course for The Bahamas( 2020-06)The Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) and The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources (MAMR) in collaboration with Commonwealth of Learning (COL) have partnered to provide farmers with an online course on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). // This self-study course addresses fruit and vegetable production and is designed to inform farmers on the basic environmental and operational conditions necessary for the production of safe and wholesome produce. Fruits and vegetables are an important component of our diet. Nutritionists and health professionals have clearly shown that diets low in fat and high in fiber, with at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, protect us against many types of cancers and lessen the risk of heart disease. Now, more than ever, consumers listen to these messages and have altered their food choices. // In recent years, there has been an increase in food recalls due to biological, chemical and physical risks, particularly with leafy greens such as lettuce. This six-week course will help to mitigate against these risks and serve as a guide in the implementation of best management practices at all stages of the crop production and processing systems. Participants are required to commit 30 - 60 mins per week on completing the weekly presentations and assignments to successfully achieve the learning goals of this course.
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PublicationIntroduction to Agriculture in Small States( 2010)Upon completion of the “Introduction to Agriculture Course”, you will be able to: 1. Explain the importance of agriculture to small states. 2. Demonstrate an appreciation of the relevance of agriculture to food security. 3. Understand the major factors affecting agricultural production in small states. 4. Compare and contrast the different agricultural systems. 5. Identify opportunities for entrepreneurship in agriculture using the value chain approach. 6. Demonstrate an understanding of how various agricultural groups work and where they fit in the value chain. 7. Analyze the agricultural environment within your region or small state.
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PublicationIntroduction to Basic Horticulture in the Pacific( 2015-01)This unit was written for people in Samoa who want to learn more about horticulture by the National University of Samoa. It is presented according to the National Competency Standard of the Samoa Qualifications Authority - HIP 001 Introduction to Basic Horticulture in the Pacific – Level 2.
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PublicationIntroduction to Horticulture in Tuvalu( 2017-03)This course is an introduction to basic horticulture in Tuvalu. It was originally written by the National University of Samoa and has now been contextualized for Tuvalu by local teachers. The course is intended for school leavers and community groups who have limited knowledge or experience of horticulture. Specifically, it covers the following topics: cultivating soil using hand tools, recognizing fertilizers and their applications, preparing seedbed by hand sowing, sowing in nursery, and maintaining seedbed to seedling stage of growth.
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PublicationIntroduction to Permaculture( 2015-02)Matuaileoo Environmental Trust Incorporated (METI) in Samoa, with support from COL, has developed an introductory manual on Permaculture. This manual has been prepared as a self-instructional course for Taiala to enable them to teach people in their communities about permaculture. Taiala are front-line workers engaged in various education and development activities in support of METI’s ongoing projects. Taiala (path breaker) is considered an apt Samoan translation for front-line education and sustainable development worker. The Manual provides an opportunity for Taiala to learn about and be able to teach permaculture. This manual consists of three units of study: Unit 1: Philosophy and Ethics of Permaculture // Unit 2A: Managing the Environment Naturally // Unit 2B: Managing the Environment Scientifically // Unit 3: Design and Practice // The course material is available in PDF or DOC (Microsoft Word) format.
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PublicationIntroduction to the Blue Economy( 2016)Oceans are vital, not only to a wide array of biodiversity and ecosystems, but also to the food chains, livelihoods and climate regulation for a human population heading towards nine billion people. That is why this short course is essential because it introduces the concept of the blue economy and explores how countries can benefit from it thus the livelihoods and well-being of people living on coastal areas and islands. // Upon completion of this course you should be able to: 1. Explain The Blue Economy concept. 2. Recognise the importance to sustainably manage the marine resources. 3. Identify ways in which entrepreneurs can create innovative business opportunities. 4. Describe the economic benefits of the Blue Economy. 5. Describe the relationship between the Blue Economy and sustainable development.
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PublicationKarchupi and Jory chumki( 2015)Karchupi and Jory chumki is a course for livelihoods skills training designed for neo-literates and persons having limited reading skills. The course materials include a training manual for teachers and a handbook for trainees. The materials were created by the Center for International Education and Development (CINED) and published by Dhaka Ahsania Mission with support from the Commonwealth of Learning. The materials are in Bengla and are designed keeping consistency with Pre-Vocational Level-2 of the National Technical and Vocational Qualifications Framework (NTVQF) in Bangladesh.
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PublicationPoultry Keeping and Management: A Flexible Learning Course( 2015-08)Through the INVEST Africa partnership of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), representatives of Thika Technical Training Institute and Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Kenya developed a course on poultry keeping for non-formal community training. Poultry keeping is one of the most popular forms of business among small-scale farmers. This is because poultry requires little capital, is easy to rear and easy to manage. Poultry keeping thus provides farmers with a great opportunity to start an income generating activity. The aim of this course is to provide learners with all the knowledge and skills needed to raise poultry for meat and eggs and manage a small-scale commercial poultry business. This main target group of this course is farmers who are interested in starting a poultry business. However, extension workers and other stakeholders who are interested in working with small-scale poultry farmers will also benefit. There are many types of poultry but in this course chicken will be focused on. The course will start by looking at the economics of poultry production so that learners can make an informed decision about the viability of this business before starting. It will then discuss various important aspects of poultry farming, such as poultry housing, types of chicken breeds, brooding, feed management, health management, and poultry production and marketing.
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PublicationProducing Interlocking Stabilised Soil Blocks: A Flexible Learning Course( 2015)Through the INVEST Africa partnership of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), representatives of four Kenyan institutes, namely Rift Valley Technical Training Institute, Coast Institute of Technology, Masai Technical Training Institute and Mombasa Technical Training Institute, developed a course on brick making for non-formal community training. Soil is one of the main materials used for the construction of traditional low-cost houses in rural areas because it is cheap and locally available. Some houses are constructed entirely or partially with soil depending on the local traditions, climate, available skills and cost. One disadvantage of traditional soil-based construction is that they require regular maintenance and protection. This has led to the development of new methods or technologies that improve the quality and durability of soil construction methods. One such method is brick making. This course explains how to produce interlocking stabilized soil blocks (ISSB), which is a type of unfired brick. The course covers the tools and equipment used to make the soil blocks and how to select and test the soil used for making them. In addition, the production of blocks and how to use them for construction will also be explained. // Available in Microsoft Word (doc) and PDF format.
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PublicationSustainable Agriculture in Small States( 2010)Upon completion of the Sustainable Agriculture for Small States Course you will be able to: 1. Employ the best practices in crop management and livestock management. 2. Describe the anatomy and physiology of farm animals. 3. Employ appropriate nutritional practices supporting your livestock. 4. Identify animal health and wellness issues. 5. Examine the need for food security. 6. Employ appropriate pest management strategies. 7. Employ appropriate record management practices. 8. Explain the harvest management process. 9. Appropriately manage a small farm operation. 10. How to effectively use agriculture value chains and cooperatives.