Agricultural Extension Services Specialist in Iraq
Context
In 2018, an extensive review of the agriculture supply chain issues undertaken by the UNDP and UNFAO identified that the agricultural community in Kurdistan had the following key issues: limited access to information and finite skills in product value accretion and marketing. It also became evident that government extension staff were constrained in their ability to help farmers address these problems.
The KRG Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources is currently providing extension services to farmers through 43 agricultural Extension and Training centres, covering most districts and sub-districts in the Kurdistan Region. However, the current financial crisis and the COVID 19 pandemic have had a distinct effect on these extension services. These problems compounded, preventing extension staff from conducting field visits and farmer meetings which are crucial to solving the agricultural problems developing continuously in the field. In addition, extension workers are prevented from active problem-solving visits: they cannot access or demonstrate new technologies which would be of use to the farmers.
Project description
The objective of this technical assistance is to facilitate the development of a new strategy and plans for the extension departments to support the farmers in light of challenges faced, due to the financial crisis and COVID 19 pandemic, and further develop and conduct the required capacity building program so as to empower the agricultural extension department staffs in the Kurdistan Region.
For this initiative, KRG Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (MAWR) is seeking supplementary expertise in the relevant area (Agricultural Extension Service Development) in order to support the extension staff develop their capacity to assist farmers enhance production, market products and manage the value chain. For support with this initiative, MAWR has approached the UNDP Funding Facility for Economic Reform – KRG (FFER-KRG) to provide them with the necessary technical assistance.
Services
AMBERO Consulting Gesellschaft mbH has been assigned to develop and conduct a capacity building program to enhance the extension staff’s knowledge regarding the production and value chain in agriculture and food delivery system between farmers to consumers. Such knowledge of the value chain (form and function) will allow the extension service to help farmers ascend the value chain – increasing their returns from their food production.
The main duties and responsibilities of the specialist include (but are not limited to):
- Meeting with Stakeholders to a) Conduct an assessment of the current situation of the agricultural extensions; b) Assess the existing capacity of the current Extension Department Staff
- Develop a new strategy and plan for the extension services in coordination with Extension Department
- Prepare and deliver a consensus building workshop with key departments
- Develop Training Materials
- Conduct capacity building trainings/workshops and Training of Trainer (TOT) for Extension staffs
Sustainable Development Goals
This project acts on implementing the following Sustainable Development Goals:
