USAID/ERA Third Quarterly Report: April to June 2011

The program aims to develop the human and institutional capacities of these institutions to improve agricultural production and nutritional status among disadvantaged population groups. The program is guided by USAID's Strategic Objective of Increased Inclusive Economic Growth and Feed the Future Goal to Sustainably Reduce Global Poverty and Hunger. The program is working with four universities, three professional training centers, and two research institutions to strengthen agricultural education and training, applied research and outreach, and project management and policy support. The program is also working to develop a coherent program of support, development, and collaboration in three strategic domains: strengthening agricultural education and training, strengthening applied research and outreach, and project management and policy support. A rapid needs assessment was conducted at each institution to identify needs for infrastructural improvements, curriculum and pedagogical training, and training opportunities for teaching staff and distance learning. The needs identified are being acted upon by USAID/ERA through the furnishing of supportive grants. Institutional self-assessment of academic programs has also begun, revealing common and specific characteristics of the curriculum. Distance learning is being introduced within and among the AETs of St. Louis and Thiès, with a group of 8 representatives being sent to Virginia Tech for orientation and training. University of Connecticut is collecting data using survey instruments in the private sector to measure the degree to which agricultural businesses, producers, and producer associations need certain types of skills that are not being supplied by the agricultural education system in Senegal. In the area of applied research and outreach, important contacts are being made with the leadership at Fonds National de Recherches Agricoles et Agro-Alimentaires (FNRAA). USAID/ERA expects to arrange the award of competitive grants promoting applied research, collaborative activities among the above institutions, and other activities that advance the research and outreach functions of AET Institutions to Senegalese agricultural producers. Regional Agricultural Technical Committees are being formulated to identify necessary research and outreach activities to support Senegalese agricultural producers. The committees will provide a platform for collaboration and coordination among the institutions and stakeholders involved in the program. The program is expected to have a positive impact on agricultural production and nutritional status among disadvantaged population groups in Senegal. The program is also working to develop the capacity of agricultural education and training institutions to introduce more productive agricultural information and technologies to the agricultural sector. This will be achieved through the strengthening of agricultural education and training, applied research and outreach, and project management and policy support. The program is expected to contribute to the overall strategy of the Economic Growth Office (EGO) to create conditions for increased economic growth through increased agricultural production. The program is being implemented in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the universities, professional training centers, research institutions, and government agencies. The program is expected to have a positive impact on the agricultural sector in Senegal and contribute to the achievement of the program's goals and objectives.