Tertiary agricultural education needs in Africa – a case study on horticulture

Abstract

This paper is based on a preliminary assessment of the needs for higher education in horticulture in Africa. The objective of this assessment is to check the adequacy between the actual training capacities and existing education programs, and the present and future requirements of the society for employment and entrepreneurship in horticulture. The survey has been launched in November 2013 and is still on-going. It gathers information received from newly listed public and private institutions, from producers' organizations up to exporters' associations, going through state or municipal agencies, international non-governmental organizations, input supplying groups or goods retailing platforms. The questionnaire was elaborated in three languages (English, French and Portuguese) to be disseminated through Africa on a country basis. The results gathered after six months were presented for the first time at IHC 2014 Brisbane to be discussed during a business meeting of the ISHS Commission Education, Research Training and Consultancy. Despite a low response rate to the questionnaire, some lessons can be learned that are confirmed by the two case studies also presented in Kenya and Senegal. A national strategy for higher education in horticulture does not exist in most of the surveyed African countries, and poor data information is available to elaborate on them. The role of international partners such as ISHS is discussed.