This document discusses the role of higher and vocational education in developing skills for agricultural transformation in Africa. It notes that while there are many collaborative projects focusing on research, education, and development, higher education and vocational training institutions do not always collaborate effectively. Specifically, vocational training is often focused on production rather than broader sector transformation. There are opportunities to better connect capacity development projects with development projects through student internships and theses. Improved collaboration between higher education, vocational education, and the private sector could enhance skills development and relevance for employment.

1. THE ROLE OF HIGHER AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN
DEVELOPING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS - THE CASE OF AGRI-FOOD
TRANSFORMATION
"Investing in people, by investing in
higher education and skills in Africa"

2. Investing in People by Investing in Higher Education
and Skills in Africa
The role of higher and vocational education and
training in developing knowledge and skills: the case
of agri-food transformation
October 25, 2019

3. ▪ Many collaborative projects in various countries in Africa
▪ Focusing on
● Research
● Education and capacity development
● Developmental collaboration
▪ Sometimes, but not naturally collaborating with TVET institutes....
Wageningen University & Research
3

4. ▪ Projects oriented at ‘Development’ (impact) often supported by
Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ EKN, The Netherlands
▪ Food Systems /Agri-Food Sector Transformation
......broader than production and productivity.....
▪ Not always explicitly oriented at capacity development
▪ However, skilled human resources needed, but also explicit
Knowledge (development) agenda
.....explicit involvement of HE and/or TVET institutes......
Wageningen University & Research
4

5. Collaboration
between Higher
Education/Colleges/
Vocational Education
Green Sector
‘Borderless Network’
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6. ▪ Funding Orange Knowledge Programme, through NUFFIC/MinFoA
▪ Aim: knowledge and skills training to contribute to youth
employment, youth entrepreneurship and agri-food sector
transformation and innovation
▪ Projects e.g. in Benin, Burundi, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda
▪ Collaboration between Dutch partners in Green education
▪ Aiming to support collaboration and connections between Green
education institutes in respective countries
Borderless Network in Africa
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7. ▪ Higher education, but also skills education is needed to contribute to
agri-food sector transformation
▪ Collaboration between Higher Education and Skills training not
always easy
▪ Vocational Training in agriculture often production oriented, and less
to Sector transformation, entrepreneurship, value chain and sector
development;
not always what agri-food sector transformation needs
▪ Teachers/Lecturers not always well trained in latest educational
approaches for skills & competence-based training
▪ Labour opportunities after graduation not always guaranteed
Challenges
7

8. ▪ Smart connections between capacity development projects and
‘development’ projects; involving students for internships and thesis
▪ Explicit collaboration between Higher Education and Vocational
Training in order to have a broad ánd shared vision on sector
transformation needs
▪ Explicit collaboration between Higher education, Vocational
education and Private sector to enhance relevance for job market
▪ ........
Opportunities
8

9. YOUTH INCLUSION AND THE AVAILABILITY
OF SKILLED LABOUR ARE AT STAKE WHEN
HIGHER EDUCATION AND TVET INSTITUTIONS
CONTINUE TO WORK IN SILO’S.
HOW CAN LINKAGES BETWEEN THESE LEVELS BE
IMPROVED FOR AGRI-FOOD SECTOR
TRANSFORMATION?

10. THE GROWTH OF AFRICA IS PEGGED ON
HOW THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND AGRI-
FOOD INDUSTRY WILL EVOLVE.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE ROLE OF
AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES? AND WHAT PART
CAN EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES PLAY?

11. ACCORDING TO YOUR EXPERIENCE, IN
WHAT WAY IS THE AGRI-FOOD SECTOR AN
EXAMPLE OF A SECTOR WHERE
LEARNABILITY AND EMPLOYABILITY
MEET?

12. DOES THE TYPE OF PARTNERSHIP MAKE A
SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN CAPACITY
BUILDING IN AGRI-FOOD
TRANSFORMATION?

13. Local knowledge development is
paramount, how to put knowledge
institutions in developing countries 'in the
driver's seat’?