Capacity Building

The project has conducted a number of training courses for trainers and growers, to ensure that the PA technology, knowledge and practices are shared with Ministry researchers, extension agents and growers.

1)      Training the Trainers

The three Project Implementation teams (PIT) (list of PIT) have been trained on different PA aspects by ICARDA scientists and consultants. Three training courses have been conducted for the 11 PIT members, who also function as local trainers and regularly visit farmers’ fields. Several pilot growers also participated in the training. These courses covered:

·         Greenhouses installation

·         Greenhouse preparation (soil, irrigation, crop support, etc...)

·         Nursery preparation and production of young plants

·         Integrated Production & Protection
 Management (IPPM)

·         Production of different crops under plastic houses

·         Pre- and post-harvest techniques

·         Maintenance of plastic houses and irrigation

For more information on the training courses, see project progress reports under Publications.

2)      On the Job Training for Pilot Growers and Farmers Field School (FFS)

The project uses participatory approaches such as FFS and workshops. Pilot growers and the community are involved in all project activities. Pilot growers have received at least two visits per month by PIT and 1 to 2 visits per season by ICARDA experts, and have received practical training on greenhouse management and cash crop production.

The 35 pilot growers (list of pilot growers) were divided into two groups of 17 each, which received greenhouses during the first and second years (one greenhouse was established at Taez Research Center in the first year). This allowed the project to focus on a small group each year and to provide the best possible service to new growers.

Growers received practical and on the job training during the Farmer Field Schools (FFS), from ICARDA scientists and consultants. FFS is an effective approach for technical education and capacity building. It provides a suitable environment for farmers to generate knowledge that is functional and necessary to improve their production skills. The FFS were conducted on farmers’ fields during the field visits. The topics for each training session were based on the crop growth stage, the required agriculture activities for that stage, as well as specific problems reported by growers or PIT.

For more about FFS and visits to pilot growers, see project progress reports under Publications.

3)      Field days and workshops

To discuss growers’ common technical problems and obtain feedback from them, a number of workshops were organized, bringing together all participating growers, PIT and other project stakeholders. Workshop reports are available in the progress reports under Publications.

4)      Developing handouts and training manuals

The project has produced several training manuals and technical notes in the local language. These cover various subjects: Greenhouse installation and set-up; Irrigation and fertigation for greenhouse crops; Crop production under plastic house; IPPM.  The manuals have been distributed to PIT members and pilot growers. See the hand-outs under the project publications

Establishment of Greenhouses at Farmers Fields

The project established 35 greenhouses at pilot growers’ sites within two years (list of pilot growers and locations). All the pilot growers are actively engaged in farming. Selection of the pilot growers was based on specific criteria including availability of water, technical background of grower, access to road, and visibility of the farm (for demonstration purposes). All pilot growers have signed a contract defining rights and obligations (publications).

Socio-economic data on the pilot farmers were collected through a benchmark study (see the report) carried out by AREA scientists in close collaboration with ICARDA. A socio-economic assessment will be conducted to measure the project impact on the standard of living of pilot farmers.

Greenhouses were established on a cost sharing bases. Yemeni farmers, especially those in marginal areas, have little or no cash resources.  Therefore, the project initially provided the materials and equipment to establish greenhouse production in the pilot sites. The cost of training and technology transfer will be covered through the French Food Aid Program. ICARDA covered the cost of the technical assistance, salaries and employment costs of project staff, including training and administration costs. The Ministry of Agriculture and AREA covered the costs of all Ministry personnel who were involved in the project and received training. Farmers participating in the project provided their labor and land for greenhouse construction and crop production, and for building water reservoirs for irrigation. (publications)

Production

In the first growing season (March-July 2006) all greenhouses were planted with cucumber. The following table shows results from the 17 greenhouses installed in farmers’ fields.

Cucumber production in 17 greenhouses during the first growing season

 In second season which started in August 2006, tomato was planted in 3 greenhouses and cucumber in the other 14. The following table summarizes results from cucumber in the second season (tomato was still under production).

Cucumber production during 2nd Growing seasons (14 GH)

Tomato  production during 2nd Growing seasons (3 GH)

Cucumber production, in particular, was very encouraging. The following statement is from a report by Mr. Benoit Cathala, Agricultural Attaché of the French Embassy in Yemen, on the PA project in Taez.