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1. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Agriculture is the mainstay of about 2/3 of the African population, forming a major source of income; and agricultural trade is a key link between trade and poverty. Agriculture offers the broadest potential basis for promoting overall economic development. Most analysts share the conviction that Africa will be lagging behind so long as its agricultural sector lags behind. All diagnostic studies have pointed to policy as a major cause of low performance. Therefore, building a critical mass of domestic capacity for the design and implementation of sound agricultural policy is absolutely necessary in accelerating Africa’s development.
1.2 OBJECTIVE
The course aims at providing the state of the arts or the latest training in agricultural policy and trade that will strengthen the capacity of African policy makers, negotiators, advisors, and analysts enabling them to meet the new challenges in economic policies. The course also provides an insight into the trade reforms as seen in Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PSRPs), and assists the participants in their negotiations at the WTO and with EU and other international negotiations.
2. POLICY AGENDA SERVED
Individual African countries, African Union, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), African Development Bank (ADB) , NEPAD, Regional organizations and other institutions and agencies.
3. TARGET PARTICIPANTS
Senior and middle level agricultural development professionals in the public sector, the private sector, civil society and African regional organizations. The minimum requirements for admission are a first degree or equivalent and at least one year of relevant professional experience.
4. EXPECTED ACQUIRED SKILLS UPON COMPLETION
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Better understanding of agricultural development issues in Africa;
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More effective participants in international agricultural trade negotiations;
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Able to design and formulate efficient domestic trade policies
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Enhanced capacity to apply practical tools and methods to the diagnosis and solution of agricultural development problems.
4.1. IDEP/WBI
IDEP is offering this course in collaboration with WBI
5. MODE OF DELIVERY
The course will be delivered in alternate French and English sessions. Resource persons will be top-level professionals and academic experts on Africa. At the end of each session, a comprehensive evaluation of the course will be carried out in order to enable IDEP to make the relevant improvement where necessary.
6. PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH
The pedagogical approach puts more emphasis on training rather than teaching. Therefore, special attention will be given to practical issues and questions. Formal lectures will be combined with case studies, group discussions, and exchange of experiences among the participants and with the resource persons.
7. DURATION
Total number of Weeks: 4
Total number of Hours: 100
9. DATE OF COMMENCEMENT:
March 20th 2006
10. COURSE CONTENT
MODULE 1: AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND RURAL POVERTY IN AFRICA (20-24 March)
The process of agricultural policy formulation
Issues and challenges in African agricultural development
African Agriculture and the WTO
Rural poverty assessment and control in Africa
MODULE 2: METHODS OF INVESTIGATION AND ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS (27-31 March)
Participatory methods for the diagnosis of agrarian systems
Practice of formal surveys in rural areas
Logical framework for planning and implementing development actions
Agricultural policy analysis matrix
MODULE 3: Food and Agricultural Trade (WBI: 3-7 April)
Analysis of agricultural technologies and investments
The Importance and Roles Of Agriculture Trade - Drivers of agricultural trade and trade policy
The Nature of Agricultural Trade: Trends and Development - Agricultural Commodity Markets - Standards, GMO, and IPR in Agricultural Trade
Agricultural Trade Policies and International Agreements - Agriculture in regional and preferential agreements - Trade policy reforms and strategic export development
Quantitative Methods for Analyzing Agricultural Trade (Optional)
MODULE 4: SELECTED THEMES OF EMPIRICAL POLICY ANALYSIS (10-14 April)
Analysis of rural financing systems
Analysis of agricultural prices and marketing systems
Gender analysis in the agri-food system Analysis of agricultural technologies and investments
Sub-sector analysis
Environmental impact analysis of agricultural projects and programs
Food policy analysis/including food security strategies
