Agroecology & Food System Training Facilitator at Action Against Hunger | ACF-International

General Objective:

• The main objective of the training is to strengthen the technical capacity of ACF FSL partner staff on the adoption of agricultural practices that prioritize dietary diversity.
• To promote crop diversification as a strategy for improving food security, enhancing resilience to environmental challenges, promote long-term sustainability and food security in agricultural communities.

 Specific Objectives:

• Train staff in the principles of agroecology (13 principles), Including sustainable land management and climate risk assessment.
• Provide training on the principles and benefits of agroforestry systems
• Educate staff on the benefits of crop diversification for pest and disease management and for enhancing soil health.
• To promote practices that reduce greenhouse emissions and enhance carbon sequestration such as conservation tillage and agro forestry,
• Educate staff on the integrated water resource management technique to optimize the use of available water resources.
• Provide training on best practices for maintaining and improving soil health such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and organic amendments.

 Training Modules:

• Train staff in the principles of agroecology (13 principles), Including sustainable land management and climate risk assessment.

Thematic Modules to be covered:
Nutrition-sensitive Agroecology & Food System Training

1. MODULE1: Introduction to Agroecology
   • Principles and concepts of Agroecology
   • Historical development and global perspectives
   • Importance of biodiversity in agroecosystems
2. MODULE 2: Agroecology & Nutrition
3. MODULE3: Soil Health and Management
   • Soil fertility management
   • Soil conservation techniques
   • Understanding soil pH, redox potential, and nutrient cycles
4. MODULE 4: Water Management in Agroecology
   • Techniques for water conservation
   • Irrigation methods suitable for Agroecological systems
   • Impact of water management on crop yield and quality
5. MODULE 5: Agroforestry Systems
   • Integration of trees into agricultural landscapes
   • Benefits of agroforestry for soil health and biodiversity
   • Case studies of successful agroforestry practices
6. MODULE 6: Pest and Disease Management
   • Ecological pest management strategies
   • Biological control methods
   • Crop rotation and intercropping to reduce pest pressure
7. MODULE 7: Crop Diversification and Rotation
   • Benefits of crop diversity for ecosystem resilience
   • Designing effective crop rotation plans
   • Examples of polyculture systems
8. MODULE 8: Agroecological Solutions to Climate Change
   • Adapting farming practices to climate change impacts
   • Carbon sequestration techniques in agriculture
   • Role of cover crops in climate resilience
9. MODULE 9: Economic Viability and Market Access
   • Economic principles of sustainable farming
   • Accessing markets for Agroecological products
   • Value addition and branding strategies
10. MODULE 10: Community Engagement and Policy Advocacy
    • Engaging local communities in Agroecological practices
    • Policy frameworks supporting sustainable agriculture
    • Advocacy skills for promoting Agroecology at various levels
11. MODULE 11: Hands-on Training and Field Visits
    • Practical sessions on implementing Agroecological techniques
    • Field visits to model farms practicing innovative Agroecology
    • Sessions on developing personalized farm plans

Deliverables:

The Facilitator is expected to deliver the following:

1. Inception Report:
   • A detailed plan outlining the methodology, expected work plan, and timeline for the facilitation.
2. Training Materials:
   • Comprehensive training modules;
   • Supporting materials such as handouts, visual aids, and practical guides in soft copy.
3. Training Sessions:
   • Successful delivery of training sessions.
4. Final Report:
   • A comprehensive report detailing the training conducted, feedback received, and recommendations for future training and capacity-building initiatives.