Implications of changing agri-food system structure for agricultural education and training in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Purpose – African agri-food systems are undergoing major structural change in response to growing urbanization, rising incomes and shifting patterns of food consumption. The purpose of this paper is to explore four major dimensions of this surprisingly rapid structural shift in African food systems. Design/methodology/approach – This chapter synthesizes the six chapters and in addition discusses future implications for agricultural education and training (AET) in Africa. Findings – AET institutions face multiple pressures as a result of these ongoing changes. High fertility rates have produced a youth bulge that currently strains educational capacity at all levels and places huge pressures accommodating 700 million youth job market entrants over the coming 30 years. Research limitations/implications – Countries vary considerably in a number of socio-economic and political dimensions making it difficult to completely generalize on each and every issue. Cross-country comparison to the level of determining which country is better than the other in many of the variables is difficult. Originality/value – Synthesis of key parameters to consider in increasing the relevance of AET institutions in Africa.

On the Structural Transformation of Rural Africa

“…Current agricultural education and training institutions prove also ill prepared to provide Africa's youth with the skills needed to develop agribusinesses, thereby foregoing important remunerative offfarm employment opportunities along the agricultural value chains (Kabasa, Kirsten and Minde 2015;Tschirley et al 2015). Evidence from India indicates that simple management training can obviate informational barriers and lead to significant productivity gains in non-farm businesses (Bloom et al 2013).…”

Emerging private extension and advisory services models in the Kenyan agrifood sector: selected case studies

“…Commercially oriented farmers must therefore seek out the requisite technical and managerial (innovation) support through AEAS. This is driving a market for private AEAS and complementary services (Kabasa et al, 2015;Kilelu et al, 2011). Emerging models include those that focus on training and extension services -primarily training centres -and independent and chain-embedded services.…”

“…This is linked to increasingly formalised market systems with high demand for consistent and reliable supply of food that is safe, of high quality and adheres to good agricultural practices (GAPs) during production and post-harvest handling (McCullough, Pingali, & Stamoulis, 2008). Agrifood systems are therefore becoming increasingly knowledge-intensive and technologically dynamic as value chain actors who wish to remain competitive are compelled to continually innovate to address challenges and take up new opportunities (Kabasa et al, 2015;Kilelu et al, 2011;McCullough, Pingali, & Stamoulis, 2008).…”

Food Systems for an Urbanizing World

“…204 Translating potential into reality, however, will require substantial investment in educational and skills development capacity to train millions of new job market entrants, estimated at 700 million young people in Africa over the next 30 years. 205 Rapid scaling-up of effective skills development and training programmes is needed for the 500 million unemployed young people worldwide, potentially through innovative social protection. 206 Colleges, universities, vocational and technical training institutes, and secondary schools will all need to strengthen their curricula and programmes to equip young men and women to work as the next generation of food scientists, managers, technicians, analysts and food service workers.…”