Capacity building
Acute challenges facing African agriculture
Population growth, increasing pressure on land, land degradation: these are problems that directly affect the livelihoods of many farmers in developing countries. Crop failures, food shortages and malnutrition are a constant threat. Therefore, increasing productivity through sustainable agricultural practices should be a top priority.
Focus on improving skills
Smallholder farmers often cannot afford inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. Practical training allows these farmers to improve their farming skills, They will depend less on expensive external inputs. By developing and strengthening value chains, farmers will be able to generate more income, improve their livelihoods and strengthen local economies.
Practical and result-driven training
We provide training in sustainable agricultural practices, organic soil fertilization, conservation agriculture, agro forestry, beekeeping, gender issues, climate adaptation, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. In addition we offer training on compliance with certification standards such as Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, Utz Certified, HACCP, ISO and Global Gap. Moreover, we offer courses in quality management and the processing and marketing of agricultural products.Participatory approach
Our institute takes a participatory approach to training. Run by our local staff in Uganda and Ghana, our courses include field visits and on-farm experiments. The ultimate objective is always to improve the market value of local agricultural products. The courses also provide ample opportunity for farmers to learn from one another and include their own experiences into the programme. This knowledge exchange is always greatly appreciated by our course participants.
Taking complexity into account
Farming systems are complex, with many interrelated factors: soil fertility influences crop yield, organic matter content influences soil fertility and soil water holding capacity, pollination by honeybees influences fruit yield, and so on. We take the complexity of these interconnected processes into account and use it as the starting point of our capacity building methodology, helping farmers to acquire skills that really pay off in practice.
Clients and cases Mr. Alexander Kasterine, ITC Switzerland and Mr. Tobias Bandel, Soil and More about the Agro Eco - Louis Bolk InstituteDownload
Leaflet Capacity building and TrainingContact persons
Bo van ElzakkerWillem-Albert Toose
