Distance Learning Programme in Grain Management for the Southern African Development Community

Abstract

PCF4 // The Southern African Development Community - Regional Food Security Training Programme (SADC-RFSTP) in collaboration with In- Service Training Trust (ISTT) developed and piloted a distance learning programme in grain management targeting small to medium scale grain traders. The overall objective was to address food security issues through access to knowledge by distance learning. // ISTT organised two planning workshops which were attended by twelve participants from training institutions in Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia. // Subsequent to the planning workshops, the participants conducted a pilot programme in their respective countries. The programme was print based. // ISTT provided guidance and monitored the programme through review of progress reports, e-mailing and field visits. Lack of convenient and frequent access to telecommunication service was a major challenge faced by the collaborating training institutions. // ISTT in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) conducted another distance learning programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of front-line agricultural extension workers in Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Training workshops and online support facilitated the participants to develop print-based distance-learning materials, deliver, pre-test with prospective learners, revise, and pilot them in their countries. // The way forward is to replicate these programmes that are in demand across the SADC region. // Paper ID 337