One of the main challenges of any agricultural enterprise is its long-term commercial sustainability, namely, its capacity to survive profitably and self sustainably on a long-term basis.
Agricultural and agro-industrial activities are basically technology-based activities. That said, they are carried out by human beings and what determines the efficiency of the technology utilization is, ultimately, the way it is used by the farmer, agricultural worker or manager. Capacity building and skills training is an essential component of any technological advancement or technological utilization and is aimed to build the human capital that shall enable the agriculture sector in Malawi to flourish by expanding the sector’s value addition, employment creation and foreign currency generation.
Capacity building and knowledge transfer has been proven, time and again, to be the most decisive and influential factor to attain these objectives. The long-term commercial sustainability of any agricultural enterprise is through the development of the capacities of the full range of agricultural staff.
Farm managers, team leaders, department heads, skilled and semi-skilled workers in each and every professional component. Including but not limited to: Agronomy, irrigation, plant protection, chemical and fertilizer application, water supply, post-harvest, marketing, sales, accounting, financial planning etc.
Training Center Fully Equipped Classroom
CSR Training at GGL
Inosselia and Standard Bank of Malawi have partnered in a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program that includes:
- Constructing and equipping the on-farm Training Center
- Construction, equipping and operating two family level demonstration greenhouses
- Conducting regular training and capacity building programs on a wide range of agricultural production topics
(Standard Bank of Malawi has funded the two demonstration greenhouses and the equipping of the training center).
The training and knowledge transfer programs shall be implemented at the GGL Training Center. The training center is situated in the ideal setting for comprehensive hands-on knowledge transfer in all aspects of agricultural and rural development. It is in the center of the farm. In very close proximity to the boreholes, bulk water storage tanks, pump house and pumping array, irrigation and fertigation systems, plant nursery, state of the art greenhouses with differing technologies including soilless, packing house and post-harvest infrastructure, cold storage and logistics facilities.
Capacity building programs shall include a wide range of multi-level training courses covering the different “clients” or training recipients (namely, type of staff doing different types of activities and consequently, different level hierarchy and technological and management knowledge needs). The programs are accessible to GoM departments, agencies and parastatals, international organizations, international and local NGOs, other development organizations and interested agro entrepreneurs and businesspeople and shall target farmers, agricultural workers, entrepreneurs, officials, and decision makers. Prioritizing disadvantaged groups; women, youth, and subsistence farmers
Training shall be conducted by top notch experts in Malawi, international consultants and the experienced GGL farm managers and shall include hands-on work experience in the different departments of the farm.
On-Farm Training Demo Greenhouses
Written by GGL
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