By Tiyamike Makanga:
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has organised a trainer of trainers programme for horticulture and dairy value chain farmers aimed at strengthening skills development across key agricultural sectors.
The five-day training, being held in Salima District, is focusing on the use of a harmonised curriculum and is targeting participants drawn from different districts across the country.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, ILO Junior Technical Officer Jairos Chanetsa said the training is designed to equip participants with knowledge they can pass on to young people through various initiatives.
“The expectation is that participants will be able to develop lesson plans on their own, review the new curriculum and deliver high quality and relevant services after the training,” said Chanetsa.
Senior Deputy Director for the Department of Vocational Training in the Ministry of Labour, Chifundo Lodzeni, said the training is aimed at ensuring that participants acquire practical skills that enhance productivity in the agricultural sector.
She said the ministry is committed to ensuring that training programmes go beyond theory and reflect real conditions in the field.
“It is not just about training participants theoretically but also teaching them the reality on the ground,” said Lodzeni.
She added that the ministry’s mandate is to ensure that the curriculum remains responsive to industrial demand without compromising standards.
One of the participants, Chimwemwe Phiri from Nsanje, commended the training, saying the skills acquired will help improve her ability to select quality agricultural products and access better markets for produce.
The training is part of efforts to strengthen value chain development and promote skills transfer within the agriculture sector.
