PARM Capacity Development · national/regional research and training institutions as recommended by...

Platform for Agricultural Risk Management | Managing risks to improve farmers' livelihoods

Platform for Agricultural Risk Management

Note by the PARM Secretariat

This document represents an update of the PARM Capacity Development Strategy that was approved in

November 2016. It is now presented for discussion and approval. PARM Capacity Development activities have

been intensified in the last few months and this update is necessary to reflect the new organization and structure

of PARM capacity development activities, also in light of the recommendation of the Mid-Term Evaluation report

(henceforth MTE)1.

To reflect the recommendation of the MTE to ensure private sector involvement and facilitate investment, it has

been added the private sector among Global CD partners in section 2.4. In the attempt to make the document

more structured and the CD activities more in line with the entire PARM process, the PARM CD strategy (section

3) has been revisited identifying three different elements:

Programme level activities (section 3.1);

Country level activities (section 3.2);

Catalogue of Training courses (section 3.3).

Programme level activities aim to streamline ARM knowledge at global level through strategic partnership

building such as on e-learning and knowledge material; country level activities focus on empowering country

stakeholders on ARM knowledge and practices through developing country ARM CD plans, tailoring material and

training modules, and creating local partnership.

The catalogue of training courses represents the core of the content of ARM training activities that are linked to

the PARM process in each country. In particular:

Generic ARM training (CD1) to raise awareness on ARM topics and prepare the ground to RAS in the

PARM countries.

Institutionalization of high level ARM knowledge (CD2) as training of trainers (ToT) activities in selected

PARM countries.

Specific ARM tool training (CD3) that follows the feasibility studies and focuses on its implementation.

Emphasis have been given in this document to building partnerships, also with local universities and

national/regional research and training institutions as recommended by MTE. It is reflected in sections 2.4 and 3.

Finally, the current PARM CD Strategy highlights in the Annex 2 the CD activities already delivered and the ones

planned for 2017-2018, previously described in the par. 1.2.

1 Consolidated report, Jan 2017

PARM Capacity Development STRATEGY June 2017


2/12 PARM Capacity development Strategy| June 2017

1. Introduction

1.1 Background on PARM

The Platform for Agricultural Risk Management (PARM) is a partnership between developing countries and

development partners to make risk management an integral part of policy planning and implementation in the

agricultural sector. PARM assists both policy makers and agricultural actors in the identification, assessment and

management of agricultural risk through providing knowledge and guidance on agricultural risk management

(ARM) concepts and tools.

PARM acts as a coordinator and facilitator that assists countries in the development of such agricultural risk

management systems, by providing support in the assessment and identification of risks and the definition,

selection and coordination of adequate ARM strategies and services. Together with the ARM processes and

ARM studies, agricultural risk management capacity development (CD) is one of the main pillars of the PARM

activities. As part of the PARM Knowledge Management strategy, CD is focused on knowledge sharing activities

to improve the human capital of all the stakeholders that can contribute to a better ARM system, focusing in

particular on empowering vulnerable rural households to make their own risk management decisions.

1.2 PARM Capacity Development

The overall purpose of the PARM capacity development activities is to improve the knowledge and management

capacity of agricultural risks among different stakeholders, such as producers (particularly smallholders and their

farming organizations), governments and service providers. As an integral part of the PARM process, the

capacity development activities also aim to contribute to the implementation of the most appropriate tools to

manage the various agricultural risks affecting farmers and Government investments in each country. In order to

support this process, PARM intends to create and enhance risk management capacities both on the demand and

supply side of ARM strategies and tools.

Furthermore, PARM intends to, where possible, use the capacity potential of local knowledge-based institutions

such as universities and research agencies, in order to institutionalize a knowledge base on ARM. This may take

the form of professional trainings programmes, university courses, training of trainers (ToT) programmes or a

series of research publications, executed in partnership with local actors, which will capture ARM capacity, thus

ensuring its sustainable dissemination and local ownership.

In the past PARM has been working on CD in a an ad hoc demand driven manner. That is, responding to specific

requests and needs on the spot and identifying potential partners for each specific CD activity. Building on this

experience and existing learning material, the PARM Secretariat has started to implement a more structured and

strategic approach to Capacity Development.

1.3 Purpose of PARM’s Capacity Development Strategy

Designing a capacity development strategy is a key element of results-focused capacity development. PARM

approaches strategy design with a strong focus on capacity outcomes that drive sustainable institutional and

behavioral change, beyond the organisation of isolated CD trainings. This focus allows for more innovative and

local solutions to achieve needed results and track progress. This strategy document is based on learnings from

collaborative discussions and previous PARM CD activities with country partners. It also derives and incorporates

considered feedback from meetings of the PARM Steering Committee (November 2015), the PARM Advisory

Committee (December 2015) and Mid-term Evaluation Report (June 2016). The strategy follows a systematic

process, from identifying the capacity development goals, objectives and needs to designing and implementing

activity plans as well as evaluating change.

2. Capacity Development Framework

2.1 Definition of Capacity Development

While traditional capacity development may be considered as a system of trainings, bringing in fixed solutions for

filling in pre-identified gaps and missing functions/skills, PARM’s approach to building capacity extends beyond

this narrow definition. By applying a broader framework, this strategy will focus on designing capacity


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development that drives local solutions for agricultural risk management goals. This approach uses capacity

development as a strategic instrument, which leads to transformative, sustainable change in the way risk is

managed at farm, market and policy level.

For the purpose of this document therefore, PARM defines capacity development as the process of

empowerment of relevant agricultural-sector actors through a series of learning, knowledge, information and

innovation-sharing activities to effect transformational and sustainable change in agricultural risk management

attitudes and practices, which in turn supports the achievement of the overall PARM development goals.

2.2 PARM Capacity Development Vision

PARM’s results-focused capacity development is a strategic and demand-driven approach that emphasizes the

use of knowledge and learning in empowering local agents to make full use of ARM tools and concepts. It

extends beyond individual trainings in each country to focus on sustainable partnerships and country-owned

commitments to strengthening institutional capacity in managing agricultural risk according to a holistic approach.

PARM regards the process of building capacity for agricultural risk management as a strategy, designed with a

strong focus on capacity outcomes that not only deliver trainings and knowledge, but also drive institutional and

policy change. This allows for more innovative and local solutions for embedding an ARM approach into the

agricultural policy planning and practice of partner countries.

Furthermore, PARM’s vision extends beyond the streamlining of ARM policies and practices, to institutionalizing

agricultural risk management as an integrated system, which can allow smallholder farmers to project themselves

into the future. PARM sees the building of ARM capacities as the key to broadening the entrepreneurial horizons

of farmers in partner countries. The capacity to manage agricultural risk is crucial for empowering smallholders

and their households to plan for the future and think ahead. ARM can drive the transformation from small-scale

subsistence farming into sustainable livelihoods and entrepreneurial agriculture, supported by solid contingency

and business planning. Therefore, by creating a strong capacity for agricultural risk management, PARM will

contribute to promote rural transformation through leveraging investment and growth in the agricultural sector.

PARM therefore envisions to implement a two-tier capacity development strategy, which will on the one hand

address the knowledge needs and gaps of key stakeholders in partner countries (policy-makers, extension

service deliverers and smallholder farmers) in order to allow them to implement ARM methods and tools to

manage risks, stabilize production and improve their livelihoods. On the other hand, PARM’s capacity

development approach will aim to strengthen cross-cutting partnerships with knowledge-based institutions in

order to streamline ARM techniques and concepts into key policy documents.

2.3 PARM Capacity Development Goals and Objectives

Strategic Goal 1: PARM will streamline the use of the holistic approach to agricultural risk management on a

global level, beyond a humanitarian approach to disasters, in both agricultural policy and practice, through key

partnerships, strong alliances and innovative capacity building instruments.

This will be done through achieving the following objectives:

- Enhanced PARM interaction with other actors and final users of risk management knowledge in order to

realize larger benefits to stakeholders and smallholder farmers;

- Efficient organisation, packaging and use of available technical knowledge;

- Ensured sustainability through dissemination of ARM knowledge to a wider target audience;

- Institutionalized PARM risk management knowledge within academic circles (through the development and

inclusion of a professional-level ARM course as part of the academic curriculum of a university/university

network)

Strategic Goal 2: On a country-level, PARM aims to provide key stakeholders, and smallholder farmers in

particular, with critical capacity to understand risks and risk management issues and to employ best ARM

strategies with a holistic approach, beyond an humanitarian approach to disasters. PARM aims to empower

stakeholders to identify their risks and take their own risk management decisions, while engaging with other

stakeholders and markets on risk sharing activities.

This will be done through achieving the following objectives:



- A capacity development plan for each PARM partner country will be developed, reflecting local context and

possibilities

- At least one capacity development seminar on general ARM will be organised in each PARM partner

country, targeting a relevant group of stakeholders; where possible, this will be followed up by specific ARM

trainings and seminars on specific tools

- Sustainable knowledge creation through the design, development and dissemination of relevant ARM

training materials and learning modules

- Ensuring sustainability of created ARM capacity through developing a pool of national ARM trainers, through

Training of trainer programmes

2.4 Partners and target group

The overall purpose of PARM activities on Capacity Development (CD) is to improve the knowledge and the

management capacity on agricultural risks among producers (particularly smallholders), Governments, extension

workers and service providers.

Throughout the implementation of the PARM CD activities, there is a need for strong stakeholder cooperation

and targeting, as the same actors are likely to play a key role in the general PARM / CAADP process. Hence a

successful capacity building is key for the successful implementation of the whole process.

PARM’s CD strategy will be closely coordinated with its strategic policy partner, NEPAD. The CD strategy of the

Platform will contribute to create ARM capacities that facilitate CAADP processes and investment plans.

From a broader conceptual perspective, the main target group for capacity development are smallholder farmers,

whose livelihoods depend on managing various risks. However, on implementation level, PARM identifies the

following three main groups:

CD Partners

The successful realization of PARM’s vision and goals as well as the efficient implementation of its CD program

activities depends strongly on the productive and mutually beneficial cooperation with a number of global

partners. In the design, planning and implementation of its capacity development activates, PARM aims to

coordinate and seek synergies with the following strategic global partners:

- AU’s New Partnership for African Development – NEPAD

- UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation – FAO and WFP

- Key IFAD divisions

- World Bank’s Agricultural Risk Management Team

- Regional and national organisations, such as the Farm Risk Management for Africa (FARMAF), the Global

Alliance for Resilience (AGIR), the African Risk Capacity (ARC), etc.

- Donor level cooperation: country offices of donor agencies (EU, FAO, WFP, IFAD, AFD, etc); consultation

and cooperation in the delivery of trainings to ensure synergies

- Private sector, in particular ARM service providers, whenever relevant

- At country level the partnership with the extension services to ensure the sustainability of the ARM capacities

has proved to be strategic.

Core target group

The PARM core group of stakeholders, targeted through the capacity development trainings (both general and

tool-specific) is comprised of:

- Government officials (representatives of relevant ministry departments, technical experts, policy advisers

and policy makers): mainly macro-level stakeholders, functioning at the overall sector level

- Smallholder farmers and Smallholder farmers representatives (farmer organisations, cooperatives,

unions): mainly micro-level stakeholders, functioning at the farm/firm/household level

- Extension workers and representatives of research institutions/universities: some meso-level

stakeholders; The experience in Uganda, Ethiopia and Senegal shows that Extension Services should be

both partners and target of the CD activities.



Broader audience2

In addition to the core target group, PARM will aim to reach the following stakeholders through its capacity

development activities:

- Private sector

- Services group: including service and input providers and other intermediaries, particularly those dealing with

agricultural risk management products and services (mainly meso-level stakeholders)

- Civil society organisations

In order to implement this strategy, PARM will work together with Implementation Partners such as:

- Local universities and research institutions

- Overseas-based universities/research institutions

- Development partners: The participation of all relevant development partners is key to ensure good

programme activity coordination and to support national governments with the ARM process implementation,

based on each institution's comparative advantage and key expertise.

3. PARM CD Strategy

3.1 PROGRAMME-LEVEL

3.1.1 Overview

This component of PARM’s CD strategy is determined by the vision that PARM will enhance its capacity to

streamline the holistic approach to ARM on a global level through key partnerships, strong alliances and

innovative capacity building instruments. The strategy is designed to promote a more systematic use of

partnerships and to provide practical guidance with the selection, prioritization, development and management of

new or renewed partnerships.

3.1.2 Goal and Objectives of programme-level capacity development

The objectives of the programme-level activities listed hereunder are to:

- Enhance PARM interaction with other actors and final users of risk management knowledge in order to

realize larger benefits to stakeholders and smallholder farmers;

- Build up and maximize the use of available technical knowledge;

- Ensure sustainability and dissemination of ARM knowledge to a wider target audience;

- Institutionalize PARM risk management knowledge within Global academic circles (through the development

and inclusion of a professional-level ARM course as part of the academic curriculum of a university/university

network)

3.1.3 Strategic CD Activities

a) Partnership building

Partnerships are key for ensuring the effectiveness of PARM’s work on an overarching/global level. PARM will

therefore aim to identify and establish the following strategic relationships:

PARM-University Partnership

PARM will establish and coordinate a partnerships with University/University network/ Research and Training

centres, strategically positioned to advance the ARM agenda. PARM will work together with the partner institution

2 It is important to note that the level of involvement of the “broader audience” will depend largely on the progress and invested

interest in each PARM partner country.



to develop a short course for practitioners on agricultural risk management, which will be included in the

curriculum as a short professional training course (granting certificates to course participants).

The strategic implementation of the PARM partnerships with selected universities from developed and developing

countries would consist of the following actions: dissemination of information on the partnership support roles of

PARM; the establishment or identification of a suitable mechanism(s) for dialogue, the preparation of a work

programme for the development of the course curriculum.

PARM-facilitated North-South University Partnership

PARM will seek to establish a connection between selected Universities or Knowledge Institutions in partner

countries and relevant counterparts elsewhere. This cooperation would be based on knowledge exchanges,

student visits and joint research in order to advance the scientific agenda behind ARM theory and practice.

PARM internship

PARM will offer a sponsored internship opportunity to students in ARM/DRM/related degree enrolled in partner

universities in Africa.

Potential partners

As part of the identification of strategic partnership, the following actions will be undertaken: identification of

partnership goals, assessing the costs and benefits of partnerships, and assessing the institutional aspects of

partnerships. The management, monitoring and evaluation of partnerships will also be planned and foreseen.

The list of potential programme-level partnerships to be approached includes:

- Makerere University, Uganda

- Kenyan School of Monetary studies (KSMS)

- AGHRYMET, Niger

- PERPERI University Network

- CIHEAM network (Mediterranean network)

- CERDI in France

An example of on-going partnership at programme level is represented by PARM and AGRHYMET commitment

to work together to develop, organize and deliver capacities development activities on agricultural risk

management at regional level, putting together their respective capacities and comparative advantages on

agrometeorological and hydrological information and training capacities (AGRHYMET) and experience on the

holistic approach to risk management in African countries (PARM). The formal partnership will be in the form of a

MoU and/or a contract that will include CD activities both hosted, organized and/or delivered by AGRHYMET,

and organized by PARM to train AGRHYMET staff. National universities are being identified in the different

PARM countries as potential partners.

b) E-learning and knowledge materials

FAO e-learning module

This e-learning course on Agricultural Risk Assessment and Management (eAgRAM) is being developed by FAO,

in collaboration with the European Union, NEPAD and PARM as well as with other partners based on their

combined expertise. The overall objective of the e-learning course is to bridge the knowledge gap in production,

marketing, financial, institutional and policy related risks at the farm level with a holistic approach. It aims to

develop the capacity of stakeholders to understand the concept of risk, equip them with the knowledge to conduct

an assessment of different types of risk and increase the understanding of the best tools and strategies to cope

with risk.

The course is organized in four modules, each of those including two or more lessons and is targeted at a wide

range of participants, from farmers and farmer organisations to policy makers, government officials and service

providers.



The development of the above modules has been made possible through funding by the European Commission.

The development of Module 3 is currently pending the continued interest and support by the EC. PARM has a

strong interest in supporting its development by supplying key content input to the FAO experts and by creating

and facilitating synergies with the already existing similar modules developed by the World Bank’s Agricultural

Risk Management Division. PARM believes the development of the ARM e-learning module will facilitate the

streamlining of the holistic approach into agricultural development policy and practice on a broader/global level,

thus contributing to the achievement of PARM’s vision, goals and objectives.

In order to facilitate the kick-off of the eAgRAM platform, PARM intends to undertake the following actions:

- Investment and input into the development of FAO’s e-learning course

- Incorporating the e-learning approach into the CD seminars and Training of Trainers

- Streamlining the e-learning module at the ministry level through partner country focal points

- Facilitate partnership and coordination with the relevant World Bank programme teams and averaging

on exiting relevant ARM material

Creating knowledge materials and training modules

As part of the programme-level capacity development, PARM foresees the development of training materials that

can be sued as global references for a holistic approach to ARM, such as workbooks, training modules,

guidebooks for trainers, etc. The material of these modules should serve as a vehicle to create capacity for a

holistic agricultural risk management at a country level (therefore including a particular focus on managing risk at

a farm level), but would also be transferrable to a more overarching level and serve as a global representation of

PARM’s knowledge capacity. These modules will also serve as a basis for PARM’s collaboration with partner

Universities on the creation of an ARM course and curriculum.

Format of the material: both paper-based and soft copies, distributed through USB, cloud computing, etc.

Potential Partners

- FAO

- World Bank

- Makerere University

- Independent Experts

Whenever possible and appropriate, the learning materials will be created in different languages of PARM

countries, in particular English, French and Portuguese.

3.2 COUNTRY-LEVEL

3.2.1 Overview

This component of PARM’s CD strategy builds on the extensive work, which PARM has been doing throughout

2014-2015 at country-level. The country-level CD activities are determined by the vision that PARM will enhance

the capacity of smallholder farmers to use a holistic approach to ARM. As an integral part of the PARM process,

this capacity development component will be geared specifically to support and facilitate the implementation of

the other PARM activities.

3.2.2 Goal and Objectives of country-level capacity development

On a country-level, PARM aims to provide key stakeholders, and smallholder farmers in particular, with critical

capacity to understand risks and risk management issues and to employ best ARM strategies with a holistic

approach, beyond a humanitarian approach to disasters. PARM aims to empower stakeholders to identify their

risks and take their own risk management decisions, while engaging with other stakeholders and markets on risk

sharing activities.

In particular, PARM will work to develop:

- A capacity development plan for each PARM partner country will be developed, reflecting local context and

possibilities



- Sustainable knowledge creation through the design, development and dissemination of relevant ARM

training materials and learning modules

- Creating partnerships with local universities and research agencies for training purpose

- Develop partnerships with Extension Services in the countries

-

3.2.3 Strategic CD Activities

1) Developing Country Capacity Development Plans

Following a needs assessment process and where possible, a two-year capacity development plan will be

produced for PARM partner countries. These will be based on a consultation with national stakeholders and

experts, identifying the particular capacity development gaps, knowledge needs as well as absorption potential

within the country’s agricultural system. The country-specific plans will set the capacity development goals to be

achieved, the activities planned and knowledge materials necessary to advance the ARM agenda in each

country. The plans will further specify the relevant stakeholders and partners, which PARM would collaborate

with in the strategic activity implementation phase. Finally, the list of CD priorities and specific activities will be

presented in an objective and quantifiable way, with clear milestones and timeframes (following a logical

framework approach) and will be made available to both country and NEPAD focal points.

2) ARM knowledge materials/tailored training modules

In order to facilitate the delivery of the above trainings, the following materials will be developed:

A Workbook on ARM

An ARM workbook will be developed, containing an easily-digestible and illustrated summary of the material

presented during the training, i.e. the definition of risk, different sources and types of risk, methods of risk

assessment according to severity and probability of risk, holistic approach, risk layering as well as risk

management tools and instruments. Furthermore, the workbook will include a series of learning activities, based

on examples, possibly tailored to the local context by local trainers. These will enable learners to practice and

reflect on experiences and acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to understand and manage risks.

The workbook is intended for individual use by training participants and as well as for further distribution along

smallholder farmer network. These materials could be distributed either in a paper-based format or on USB-

carriers.

In order to complement the workbook and facilitate the provision of training or trainers, an Annex with Trainer’s

Guidelines will be developed providing guidance on the delivery of ARM trainings. The trainer can choose the

learning activities which are most appropriate for his/her target audience. The activities will be designed in such a

way that they can be adapted easily to the local context. It will give an idea of how learning topics can be

structured in a standard training course of 2 days.

3) Creating partnerships with local universities and research agencies

The planned country-level CD activities will be implemented together with local partners with a minimum degree

of background knowledge and experience on issues related to agricultural risk management. In particular, the

participation of local universities and research agencies will be promoted in order to facilitate the transfer of

knowledge and ARM capacities throughout the CD events as well as to facilitate the Training of Trainers process.

Examples of local strategic partners include: Makerere University in Uganda, University Gaston Berger(UGB),

University of Thies and University Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal, the Senegalese Agricultural Research Institute –

ISRA, AGRHYMET in Niger, Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia, etc.

PARM and Makerere University/Centre for Agriculture and Environmental Science (CAES) have already

established a partnership to organize and deliver an advanced ARM training course to create a pool of certified

ARM experts among the extension service to support farmers across Uganda.



The first ARM training has been successfully delivered from 27 to 31 March 2017 in Kampala (5 full days). The

course aimed to be Training of Trainers (ToT) and to be included in the list of the graduate and postgraduate

courses offered by Makerere University. CAES faculty has developed the curriculum and related training material.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Directorate of Agriculture Extension Service

(DAES), is willing to add in the already existing MoU with Makerere University the delivery of more advanced

ARM training course in the future, as envisaged in the ARM Capacity Development Strategy for Ugandan

Extension Service.

Other similar partnerships are on-going in Senegal and Ethiopia.

3.3 CATALOGUE OF TRAINING COURSES

The catalogue of training courses and activities for CD purposes represents the core of the ARM courses at

country and regional level. They are linked to the entire PARM process and programme/country level activities.

They are articulated in three levels:

1) General ARM training (CD1)

The generic ARM training (CD1) will follow the structure of the broad ARM training delivered by PARM since

2014 and focus on the definition of risk, different sources and types of risk, methods of risk assessment

according to severity and probability of risk, holistic approach to risk – risk layering, levels of responsibility, and

an overview of risk management tools and instruments. Moreover, the training sessions will incorporate a specific

approach, which is participatory and learner-centered and designed for flexible use and adaptable to specific

contexts. As part of the training, interactive group-work sessions will be conducted, which would require

participants to develop an analysis of the risk management tools available; sources of information to evaluate

agricultural risk, gaps in information, roles and responsibility in risk management of actors along the value chain.

Therefore, the ARM CD1 extend beyond merely providing information and theoretical knowledge about ARM but

stimulate active involvement and encourage trainees to make use of experiences and reflections in the

development of the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes needed.

In line with the CD goals and priorities set in the country-specific CD plans, capacity development trainings will be

designed and conducted in the form of two-day CD seminars. The seminars will serve to facilitate the ARM

process currently under way in each country and will be focused on delivering either a generic ARM training to

participants. CD1 will make use of the ARM knowledge materials/tailored training modules developed under

country level activities.

2) Institutionalization of high level ARM knowledge (CD2)

In selected partner countries, PARM will develop and organise a training of trainers (ToT) module in cooperation

with key local partners, such as universities, agricultural research agencies and training centers. This activity

aims at ensuring the sustainability and diffusion of ARM knowledge to reach smallholder farmers and other

stakeholders on a broader level. Overall, the ToT programme will aim at training a team of extension workers in

agricultural risk management and the holistic approach, thus enabling them to conduct the ARM trainings (CD1)

and provide expert advice in agricultural risk management tools to smallholder farmers organisations and rural

actors.

The course (generally a five-day training) will be designed to enable participants to become themselves ARM

trainers and equip them with expert knowledge on best strategies to manage agricultural risks through a holistic

approach.

In order to develop and execute a training of trainers course, PARM will identify key local partners in each

country. Those may include universities offering a course in disaster risk management, agricultural economics or

a relevant discipline or any other agricultural research agency. This partner would then be responsible for

facilitating the trainings and developing parts of the materials. They can make use of the material created under

programme level activities. Partners are required to draft a strategy to include such training in regular academic

programmes or courses list provided on regular basis. They can also run ARM training on demand, for example

of the Ministry of Agriculture



The target group to attend these trainings is identified in the extension service providers studentsbut it can

include other relevant stakeholders such as ministry officials, technical officers, capacity development officers,

and service providers from the private sector.

It is foreseen that PARM would encourage the organisation of subsequent ARM training sessions by CD2

trainees, which will give the opportunity to them to apply the acquired knowledge. This will ensure a greater

outreach of the ARM training and a greater sustainability of the ARM approach.

A CD2 has been successfully organized and delivered in Uganda by Makerere University/College of Agriculture

and Environmental Science (CAES) in March 2017.

3) Specific ARM tool training (CD3)

The implementation of trainings on specific ARM tools is foreseen in the PARM partner countries where the risk

assessment and prioritization process has identified the relevant risk management tools. The specific tool/topic

will be identified based on the specific PARM feasibility study (FS), while the format and technical content will be

adjusted to respective needs and target audience and may require the identification of the appropriate experts or

institutions to provide them.

The main characteristics of CD3 are: being hybrid, being specific to FS and targeting different groups. CD3 will

be therefore adapted to the reality of the process (depending, for example, if the FS includes or not an

investment plan).

Two are the aims of CD3:

A. To inform and facilitate target groups about investment on ARM tool;

B. To strictly train target groups already investing/operating on ARM tool.

The different purpose lead to two different strategies:

A. CD3(A) oriented to inform and facilitate investors. This is a training more linked to the feasibility studies

which expect an investment plan. The CD3(A) aims to develop a training to push for investment and to

facilitate the related demand. It is in general thought to be back to back with other PARM events. The

target groups are represented by technical people of the Government, policy makers, private sectoror

development partners.

B. CD3 (B) is a training for stakeholders to use the tools. It is a type of training that can be delivered also

some time after the end of the PARM process if PARM the country or the investor has the resources.

The target groups are represented by farmers, extension workers, private sector (i.e. financial

institutions, service providers, etc.).

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Annex 1 Logical Framework for CD Activities 2016/2018

Main objective: principal PARM objectives and processes supported through ARM capacity development

Intervention logic Objectively verifiable indicators of achievement Sources of verification Risks and assumptions

Sp

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- The holistic approach to agricultural risk management streamlined on a global level in both agricultural policy and practice, through key partnerships, strong alliances and innovative capacity building instruments.

- On a country-level, stakeholders (mainly policy makers and smallholders) will develop critical capacity to understand risks and risk management issues and to employ best ARM practices with a holistic approach, beyond a humanitarian approach to disasters.

- Mainstreaming of ARM/holistic approach into national agricultural practices and policies

- Officialised PARM partnerships with key knowledge institutions

- Developed e-learning and and general ARM knowledge and training materials

- National documents - ARM methodologies and

guidelines integrated into the work of national research institutes

- Risk mitigation and ARM tools employed

- Online availability of ARM e-learning, training and knowledge materials

- Ministry endorsement - Institutional stability

- Stakeholders limitations to accessing available material

- Continued funding of FAO e-learning course development

Exp

ecte

d r

esu

lts

- ARM streamlined in national ag. strategy papers

- A short-term certificate course on ARM to be delivered through partner university

- FAO ARM e-learning module available online - Smallholder farmers and stakeholders at the field

level possess the knowledge to evaluate their risk and identify and apply the relevant risk management tools

- Pool of ARM trainers available in several partner countries

- ARM training tools and materials available

- ARM component present in National agricultural /DRM/extension policies in 8 PARM countries

- 30 graduate students/mid-career practitioners trained in ARM at a PARM partner university in 2016

- 30 representatives of relevant target groups trained in the concept of ARM/holistic in each PARM country (2016/2017)

- A pool of 15-20 ARM trainers to be trained in relevant PARM countries

- ARM-specific tool trainings to be delivered to relevant target groups in Phase II PARM countries

- ARM certificate course attendance

- Seminar attendance sheets - Feedback forms - Monitoring of Trainers’ skills

and progress - Number of ARM trainings

delivered by ARM-trained local trainers

- Good turnout and participation

- Endorsement and support from MoA and key partners

- Ownership from smallholder communities

- Cooperation with local universities and knowledge institutions

Act

ivit

ies

1. Policy-level dialogue, discussions on ARM integration into national agriculture policy and strategy

2. Signing partnership MoUs, development of Terms of Reference for partnership cooperation 3. Developing e-learning training modules on ARM 4. Facilitate inter-institutional partnerships on global level 5. Developing an ARM training course to be delivered by Universities 6. Implementation of training on general ARM concepts and holistic approach

7. Implementation of training on specific ARM tools 8. Conducting Training of trainers in general ARM concepts, methodologies and practices 9. Developing training modules and supporting materials for general ARM seminars in partner countries 10.Training modules produced as Trainers’ Manuals

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Annex 2 Status of PARM CD activities

PARM CD activities already delivered (up to June 2017) PARM CD activities planned for 2017-2018

1. On-ground work: Capacity development seminars on general Agricultural Risk Management (CD1) have been conducted in Kampala, Uganda; Mbale, Uganda; Niamey, Niger; Saly, Senegal; Yaoundé, Cameroon; Monrovia, Liberia.

2. Partnerships built with Makerere University for the set of a high level ARM training course on for extension workers and for the integration of ARM modules into existing course curricula at the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.

3. Streamlining of ARM CD into agricultural policy documents – working together with Ministry of Agriculture in Uganda on the National Extension Services Policy and Strategy Documents

4. Streamlining of ARM CD into agricultural policy documents – working together with Ministry of Agriculture in Ethiopia on the Extension Services Policy Strategy

5. Development of CD material: A manual "Managing risk at farm level: A farmers' workbook" for generic Agricultural Risk Management training based on the experience of capacity development seminars.

6. Coordination with other actors: PARM contribution to the E-leaning course outline led by FAO on "Agricultural Risk Assessment and Management for Food Security in Developing countries"; Development by a consultant of module 3 of the E-learning curriculum of FAO on Agricultural Risk Management tools from following the agreed course outline (FAO led e-learning initiative). Other modules (1,2 and 4) are in preparation.

1. On-ground work: Capacity development seminars on general Agricultural Risk Management (CD1) in Zambia.

2. Other CD1 training responding to specific demands at national or regional level.

3. High level ARM training course (CD2) organized and delivered in Senegal and Ethiopia

4. Development of CD material: finalization of “training of trainers” modules

5. Partnerships with AGRHYMET 6. On-ground work: Specific ARM tools training

(CD3) in selected PARM countries 7. Finalization of the e-leaning course

Date post:	11-Aug-2020
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