SHORT COURSE ON HORTICULTURAL PLANT PROPAGATION
INFORMATION BRIEF
Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) will offer a short course on horticulture because of its huge potential for wealth and job creation across many areas in Tanzania. Horticultural business has therefore the potential of positive impact on the socio economic wellbeing of millions of farm families and young men and women who graduate annually from Universities and other higher educational institutions in Tanzania. This training program is intended to give the required knowledge and skills in developing a profitable horticultural enterprise for self-employment of university graduates.
BACKGROUND
Labour force in Tanzania is growing at around 2.3 percent per annum, with new entrants to the labour market estimated at 800,000 to 1,000,000 per year. Horticulture is one of the fast growing agribusiness subsector with a huge potential for self-employment and job creation.
The foreign exchange generated by the horticulture industry has steadily increased from USD 46.7 per annum in 2006.07 to USD 112.7 million in 2008/09 and USD 127.7 million in 2010/2011.
University graduates have the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth and prosperity and exploit the growing demand of high quality horticultural plant propagation materials and produce.
COURSE OBJECTIVE
The main objective is to develop skilled and competitive graduate workforce capable of effectively fostering Productive Jobs for inclusive and sustainable socio-economic growth through transformation of Agriculture, Agri-Business and Agro-Processing in Tanzania
PROGRAMME OUTPUTS
Competencies of 90 university graduates in horticultural crop propagation techniques improved in one year
COURSE DURATION
This course module will take two weeks. This module will cover horticultural plant propagation techniques and nursery management. It will be followed by a module on effective horticulture crop production under indoor and open field conditions. The current course will be conducted from 13th—26th May, 2019.
TRAINING APPROACH
The trainings will focus on imparting practical skills in horticulture crops propagation techniques. Propagation will cover vegetable seedlings production and grafting and budding for fruit crops. The crops will include (but not limited to) tomato, cucumber and sweet pepper (vegetables) and citrus, avocado and mango (fruit crops)
The training will use experiential, interactive and adult learning techniques including study visits to selected horticultural enterprises. Experienced horticulture entrepreneurs and experienced stakeholders will be invited to deliver motivational talks and share their practical experiences
ELIGIBILITY
The courses will be delivered to graduates with interest in Horticulture as their carrier business. Applicants will be required to submit a one page motivation letter and fill application form. Applicants must be ready to meet the cost of their meals, accommodation and travel. Each course slot will train 30 youths. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Completion of this short course will set you on the path of establishing and running a successful horticultural fruit and vegetable nursery business
Send applications by 09/05/ 2019 to:
Project Manager,
Skills Development Project
P.O. Box 3005, Chuo Kikuu
Morogoro, Tanzania
E-mail: mtuihosea@yahoo.com; mtui@sua.ac.tz
Copy to: babhili@yahoo.com; ibabili@sua.ac.tz
Phone: +255 767 135 560 ; +255 789 345 122