Training administrators for improved service delivery to small farmers: experiences from somalia

Abstract

Effective training must be properly conceived and relevant and therefore based on identified performance problems or gaps in the organization. It is also crucial to distinguish those needs which may be addressed by training from those which have their root causes in other factors such as inappropriate policies or exogenous factors arising from the international economic environment. The objective of the FAO's project “Training Administrators of Agricultural Development for Small Farmers” was to bring about improvements in the administration of small farmer agricultural development, particularly relating to the performance of the Ministry of Agriculture and constituent agencies. A key strategy to achieving this objective was a series of training programmes, on a pilot basis including: (a) an analytical assessment of the effectiveness of the delivery system to small farmers, based upon a sample survey at the village level; (b) taking the latter into account, preparation of case study material which suggeste...