PARM Capacity Development Strategy
June 2017
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 modules2, 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
2
Consolidated report, January 2017
The ARM workbook includes Trainers' Guidelines to replace Trainers'Guidebook to ARM.
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 knowledgebased 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
2
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 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.
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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:
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
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 audience3
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:
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.
3
5
-
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
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.
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)
Strategic CD Activities
1) 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 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
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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.
2) 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
7
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
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.
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
8
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
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.
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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.
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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) Training of trainers (ToT) in selected PARM countries (in general ARM concepts)
(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).
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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
Activities
Expected results
Specific objective
Intervention logic
1. 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.
2. 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.
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
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Objectively verifiable indicators of achievement
-
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
Sources of verification
-
-
-
-
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
Policy-level dialogue, discussions on ARM integration into national agriculture policy and strategy
Signing partnership MoUs, development of Terms of Reference for partnership cooperation
Developing e-learning training modules on ARM
Facilitate inter-institutional partnerships on global level
Developing an ARM training course to be delivered by Universities
Implementation of training on general ARM concepts and holistic approach
Implementation of training on specific ARM tools
Conducting Training of trainers in general ARM concepts, methodologies and practices
Developing training modules and supporting materials for general ARM seminars in partner countries
Training modules produced as Trainers’ Manuals
-
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
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
Risks and assumptions
-
-
-
-
Ministry endorsement
Institutional stability
Stakeholders limitations
to accessing available
material
Continued funding of FAO
e-learning course
development
Good turnout and
participation
Endorsement and support
from MoA and key
partners
Ownership from
smallholder communities
Cooperation with local
universities and
knowledge institutions
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
1. On-ground work: Capacity development seminars on general
Agricultural Risk Management (CD1) have been conducted in
Agricultural Risk Management (CD1) in Zambia.
Kampala, Uganda; Mbale, Uganda; Niamey, Niger; Saly, Senegal;
2. Other CD1 training responding to specific demands at national or
Yaoundé, Cameroon; Monrovia, Liberia.
regional level.
2. Partnerships built with Makerere University for the set of a high
3. High level ARM training course (CD2) organized and delivered in
level ARM training course on for extension workers and for the
Senegal and Ethiopia
integration of ARM modules into existing course curricula at the
4. Development of CD material: finalization of “training of trainers”
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
modules
3. Streamlining of ARM CD into agricultural policy documents –
5. Partnerships with AGRHYMET
working together with Ministry of Agriculture in Uganda on the
6. On-ground work: Specific ARM tools training (CD3) in selected
National Extension Services Policy and Strategy Documents
PARM countries
4. Streamlining of ARM CD into agricultural policy documents –
7. Finalization of the e-leaning course
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 Eleaning 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 Elearning curriculum of FAO on Agricultural Risk Management
tools from following the agreed course outline (FAO led elearning initiative). Other modules (1,2 and 4) are in preparation.
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