Specific outcomes of the project have been defined at the policy level: Enhanced capacity at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation to coordinate, develop and implement the key transformations in the agricultural TVET system. And at the school level: Enhanced capacity at the selected State Agricultural Institutes to deliver graduates that possess adequate (competency-based and labour market oriented) region specific and gender sensitive entrepreneurial, extension and management skills and knowledge.
The ministry including its training unit CARTC, and the State Agricultural Institutes Division will have the academic and organizational capacity to develop curricula at the SAI’s in a number of topics like plant protection, horticulture, floriculture, seed production, irrigation systems, soil and water management.
Till now there is only one curriculum and study program for all 15 SAI’s. An important purpose of this project is to diversify the content depending on regional demands and biotic or abiotic conditions (soil, water, altitude, climate). At the end of the project the five pilot State Agricultural Schools (SAI) will be able to develop, implement and maintain an agricultural educational program with regional specializations that delivers female and male graduates capable of responding adequately to the demands of the labour market.
A labour market driven AVET policy will be developed and implemented with major stakeholders. Linkages with the industry and other actors of the sector will be instrumental in establishing the required occupational standards. Every SAI involved will develop a framework for cooperation between with regional stakeholders, including agro food industry. Food security will improve by more effective extension workers who know how to introduce Good Agricultural Practices, based on up-to-date know-how in specific matters and how to use more effective, participatory techniques of knowledge transfer and capacity building.
Value chain experts will help to increase added value in Myanmar itself, support exports and implement the quality assurance/certification schemes needed for being able to achieve such aims. Entrepreneurs will build new businesses that will provide food in more efficient ways.
Staff at the ministry and in the schools will be trained to jointly strengthen the curricula and study programs at the schools that will graduate competent entrepreneurs, experts and extension workers.
Klaas Steur (projectdirector) k.steur@aeres.nl
Arie de Jong (Projectcoordinator); a.de.jong@aeres.nl
