The purpose of the ToT was to improve the knowledge and skills of regional, zonal and woreda extension experts in scaling-up malt barley production in SNNPR.

TOT 1

The training in progress

A total of 46 participants (8 women) attended the training. Fifteen of the participants were drawn from regional implementing agencies (IAs) and Regional AGP2 Coordination Units (CUs) while the remainder were from four zones and 11 woredas.

The ToT covered the following topics:Agricultural Extension Approach,Models, and methods, Recommendation Domain of Malt Barley Production and its Agro-Ecology, Crop Protection and Cautions for Chemical Application, Contribution of malt barley production on Gender, Nutrition and Environment and Sustainability of Malt Barley Production.

Tadele Akalu, CDSF National Capacity Development Specialist, Amrit Alemu, CDSF Capacity Development Officer, Dr Waga Mazengia, a researcher from South Agricultural Research Institute, and Mulugeta  Arega,  SNNPR AGP Coordination Unit Agricultural Production and Commercialization Specialist co-facilitated the training.

In his closing remarks, Ato Germame Garuma, Regional Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resources Deputy Head and Farm Division coordinator said: “…Production of Malt Barely is important to address the objectives of AGP2 in that it will increase productivity and improve the quality of the cereal grain in the region.”  He further said, “… although woreda and kebele level experts  have  good  knowledge and skills  about malt barley  production, their capacity  to use  adult learning principles in Capacity Development (CD) activities is very limited. The application of capacity development activities will help to address the challenges and gaps at the farmers’ level.”