Capacity Strengthening for Horticultural Value Chain Development in the Curriculum of the Department of Crop Science of the University of Ghana

Transcription

1 Capacity Strengthening for Horticultural Value Chain Development in the Curriculum of the Department of Crop Science of the University of Ghana Eric William Cornelius Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, Legon

2 INTRODUCTION In recent times there has been a tremendous interest and increase in horticultural crop production in Ghana This is the result of the high export potential of many horticultural products, increased standard of living and education Ghana is now exporting not only, fruits and vegetables, but also flowers The general constraints identified in the horticultural industry include: Public awareness, Climatic effect, Inputs, Post-harvest facilities, Technical know-how, Research, Management Others Inadequate extension service support, lack of adequate services such as roads and energy, credit facilities etc

3 INTRODUCTION From the above factors, the availability of well trained cadre of horticulturist for production education, research and extension cannot be overemphasized The present concept of developing high value chains requires that the human resources development address the capacity needs of all stakeholders in the industry

4 OBJECTIVES The objectives of the paper is therefore to review the value chain training program currently offered by the Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana and to suggest linkages between teaching and the capacity needs of stakeholders

5 TRAINING OFFER RELATED TO SUPPLY CHAIN The University of Ghana is one of five national universities offering training in agricultural value chain Courses offered - Crop Production, Horticulture, Soil Science, Crop Protection and Weed Science. Currently, the Department offers courses in Agronomy, Biometry, Horticulture, Plant Physiology, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Science, Post-Harvest Technology, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology5 Vision statement: The vision is to become an internationally recognized centre of excellence for training and research, engaged in demand-driven and problem-solving research and extension that meet the needs of stakeholders in agriculture and agribusiness industry to ensure food security in Ghana and the West Africa subregion

6 MISSION STATEMENT To provide an enabling environment that will attract and maintain high caliber crop scientists to develop quality graduates and strategies for sustainable production of crops through the strengthening of both basic and applied research, training/teaching and extension

7 COURSES OFFERED AT THE VARIOUS LEVELS Diploma Courses CROP 011: Agricultural botany and plant materials CROP 012: Introduction to plant microbes and insect biology CROP 021: Principles of horticulture CROP 022: Environment and crop production CROP 023: Crop protection CROP 024: Seed science and technology CROP 025: Principles of weed science HORT 021: Crop improvement HORT 022: Vegetable crops POHT 021: Introduction to post-harvest damage and crop losses I POHT 022: Properties of biological materials POHT 023: Introduction to post-harvest damage and crop losses II

8 Undergraduate Courses Level 100 CROP 101: Introduction to agricultural botany Level 200 CROP 201: Insect biology and plant microbes CROP 202: Introduction to crop production Level 300 CROP 301: Crop protection CROP 302: Crop physiology CROP 303: Weed science CROP 304: Crop diseases and pest management CROP 305: Ornamental horticulture CROP 306: Principles of biotechnology FAPH 301: Properties of agricultural materials FAPH 302: Physical aspects of crop storage design FAPH 303: Introduction to post-harvest technology and crop losses

9 Level 400 CROP 400: Research project CROP 401: Field crops CROP 402: Crop entomology CROP 403: Plant pathology CROP 404: Fruit and vegetables CROP 405: Statistics for agriculturists CROP 406: Genetics and plant breeding CROP 407: Seed science and technology CROP 408: Plantation and industrial crops CROP 409: Post-harvest science CROP 413: Molecular biology CROP 414: Plant virology FAPH 401: Post-harvest physiology FAPH 402: Farm structures and environmental control FAPH 403: Storage pests and diseases, their prevention and control FAPH 404: Processing and preservation of agricultural produce FAPH 405: Packaging and environmental issues in post-harvest FAPH 406: Marketing of agricultural produce, food laws and legislation FAPH 407: Quality assurance in post-harvest technology FAPH 408: Micro enterprise development and management

10 GRADUATE COURSES Master of philosophy (horticulture) Part I A. Production Horticulture Option Core Courses CROP 602: Plant nutrition CROP 604: Plant growth and development CROP 641: Olericulture CROP 642: Advance pomology CROP 644: Post-harvest physiology CROP 645: Floriculture CROP 691: Research methods CROP 692: Biometry Electives CROP 603: Environmental physiology CROP 615: Plant tissue culture CROP 616: Principles of gene manipulation CROP 648: Nursery management

11 GRADUATE COURSES B. Environmental Horticulture Option Core Courses CROP 604: Plant growth and development CROP 645: Floriculture CROP 646: Landscape horticulture CROP 647: Landscape design & construction CROP 648: Nursery management CROP 649: Landscape ecology CROP 691: Research methods CROP 692: Biometry Electives BOTN 612: Environmental studies BOTN 616: Conservation of biological resources CROP 607: Advance crop protection CROP 615: Plant tissue culture CROP 616: Principles of gene manipulation Part II CROP 600: Thesis CROP 693: Seminar I CROP 694: Seminar II

12 GRADUATE COURSES Master of philosophy (post-harvest technology) Part I Core courses FAPH 601: Post-harvest losses and losses assessment FAPH 602: Post-harvest physiology FAPH 603: Harvesting, handling, transportation & storage of agricultural produce FAPH 604: Storage pests, diseases and their management FAPH 605: Processing and preservation of agricultural produce FAPH 606: Packaging and environmental issues in Post-harvest FAPH 607: Quality assurance CROP 692: Biometry Elective courses FAPH 608: Micro enterprise development FAPH 609: Marketing of agricultural produce, food laws & legislation FAPH 615: Agricultural finance FAPH 621: Agricultural institutions FAPH 622: Project analysis AGEX 616: Gender planning for rural development Part II FAPH 600: Research project FAPH 611: Seminar I FAPH 612: Seminar II

13 GRADUATE COURSES Elective courses for both horticulture and post-harvest CROP 614: Population genetics and evolution CROP 615: Plant tissue culture CROP 616: Principles of gene manipulation CROP 622: Weed ecology CROP 630: Molecular plant pathology CROP 635: Seed pathology CROP 635: Plant bacteriology and bacterial diseases CROP 637: Plant virology and viral diseases CROP638: Plant nematololgy and nematode diseases CROP 643: Olericulture CROP 642: Advanced pomology CROP 645: Floriculture CROP 644: Postharvest physiology CROP 647: Landscape design and construction CROP 649: Landscape ecology CROP 651: Application of plant science to agroforestry CROP 652: Plants in agroforestry CROP 653: Agroforestry systems and practices ENTO 608: Stored product entomology

14 GROUPS TARGETED IN TRAINING AND FUTURE DISPOSITION OF ALUMNI IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN Stakeholders - Stakeholders targeted include extension services (MOFA), research institutions, commercial farms, input suppliers, ministry of education, NGOs in agriculture, banks (ADB) and cocoa marketing board. Although disposition of alumni in the supply chain is not formally monitored a good number work with the targeted stakeholders above. Linkage between teaching in the Department and the needs of stakeholders in the value chain - Generally, there is little linkage. Diploma students undertake six weeks vacation training with stakeholders whiles undergraduate and graduate students undertake periodic study trips to some stakeholders. The Department collaborates with MOFA in areas such as the food safety aspect of AgSSIP, fertilizer trials for MD2 production and diagnoses and control of plant diseases for commercial farmers. Collaboration with PPRSD and EPA in the assessment of the efficacy of pesticides imported into the country. Production of vegetable seeds for sale to the public. Provision of advisory services to farmers on agronomic practices and management of pests and diseases.

15 INNOVATIVE APPROACHES THAT COULD BE INTRODUCED IN CURRICULA, TO SUPPORT SUPPLY CHAIN DEVELOPMENT Farm attachment for graduate and undergraduate students. Use of video tapes on activities of stakeholders for teaching. Periodic in-service training and refresher courses for horticulturist and horticultural workers. Development of production manuals in collaboration with MOFA. Establishment of a plant clinic in the Department for diagnosing and controlling of plant diseases. Periodic invitation of stakeholders to interact with students

16 NEEDS THAT WILL COME ABOUT IN ADOPTING TRAINING OFFER TO THE CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS OF SUPPLY CHAINS Farm attachment for graduate and undergraduate students accommodation for students and allowances for supervision. Use of video tapes on activities of stakeholders for teaching equipment and funds for producing CDs. Periodic in-service training and refresher courses for horticulturist and horticultural workers funds for the production of training modules and allowances for trainers. Development of production manuals in collaboration with MOFA and farmer associations funds for development and printing. Establishment of a plant clinic in the Department for diagnosing and controlling of plant diseases equipment and consumables. Periodic invitation of stakeholders to interact with students funds for stakeholders