2018-08-03
MA-SHEP conducted the "4-Day Technical Training (ToT) for Extension Staff responsible for target Farmer Groups of the implementing District Agriculture Offices (DAOs)" from 24th July to 27th July in Mponela and from 31st July to 3rd August in Salima.
The purpose of the training is to train the extension staff on general horticultural crops production techniques and specific production techniques for the selected crops based on needs/demands indicated in the group action plans made by the target Farmer Groups.
Although the number of technical officers in charge of horticulture is limited, other officers who have knowledge and experiences of horticultural production supported to play the role of facilitator in this training. All the facilitators gathered every evening to review the contents of the training materials and share ideas on the smooth implementation of the lectures/demonstrations of the following day.
Demonstrations such as the making of "Biomass Charcoal" were new to most of the participants and therefore attracted high attention. And, some participants shared photos of the demonstration through WhatsApp, so that other officers who were not involved in the training could also learn the method and process of the demonstration.
Thanks to the active participation of the facilitators and the participants, the Technical Training (ToT) in the 1st Batch target areas was successfully completed.
Facilitators' meeting after the training sessions
Lecture at the training venue in Mponela
Lecture facilitated by Mr. Chikafa, Agriculture Officer of Dowa West District Agriculture Office
Demonstration of how to make "Biomass Charcoal"
Demonstration facilitated by Mr. Baloyi, Agribusiness Officer of Kasungu District Agriculture Office
Lecture facilitated by Mr. Samute, Agriculture Gender Roles and Extension Support Services Officer of Dowa East District Agriculture Office
Demonstration facilitated by Mr. Mataula, Agriculture Officer of Salima District Agriculture Office
Mr. Sharad Kadam, Sales and Marketing Executive of Export Trading Group (ETG), shared his knowledge during the demonstration
Demonstration of "Well protected cloth"
Ms. Mphatso Magombo, the Chief Agriculture Extension Officer (CAEO) of Salima Agriculture Development Division, interviewed by Nation Newspaper