Programs for Professional Capability Building in Agriculture
Background
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) recognizes the training needs that accompany its research activities. From its inception, IITA has supported formal and non-formal training activities as part of its strategy to improve food security and reduce poverty in Africa. The overall goal of its training activities is to strengthen the capability of national agricultural research systems (NARS) to conduct the research in their own countries. Further, IITA training activities facilitate research collaboration between IITA and NARS. Its comprehensive training strategy comprises graduate research, individual attachments, and development and distribution of group training courses materials.
Human capital development is a continuing need in Africa. Present realities of declining research and training budgets calls for the reassessment of training approaches. IITA has adopted three key approaches as a means of ensuring that it continues to contribute to the pool of effective NARS researchers.
Active EngagementsProfessional Capacity Advancement Program (PCAP) Graduate Research Program (GRP)Short-term Course (STC)Partnerships