Training for agricultural and rural development in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Abstract

Education and training equip their recipients with cognitive ability to perform a set of activities skillfully. The quality and quantity of human resources are the key factors in the growth process; they can stimulate or retard (agricultural) growth. This paper examines the demand and supply situation for agricultural manpower in the Economic Community of West African States. The demands for various categories of manpower by various subsectors of agriculture are discussed. The facilities for training manpower are explored to determine whether enough skilled manpower is being made available to meet the needs of the agricultural sector. The paper concludes by indicating that the quantity and quality of available manpower and the facilities for training such a labour force are not adequate. Member countries are then called upon to establish more training facilities so as to achieve regional self sufficiency in food production.