Implications of Changing Agri-food System Structure for Agricultural Education and Training

August 1, 2015 - John David Kabasa, Johann Kirsten, and Isaac Minde

John David Kabasa, Johann Kirsten, and Isaac Minde. 2015. Implications of Changing Agri-food System Structure for Agricultural Education and Training in sub-Saharan Africa, Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, 2015, Vol. 5 Iss: 2, pp. 190–199.

ABSTRACT

Purpose 
– African agri-food systems are undergoing major structural change in response to growing urbanization, rising incomes and shifting patterns of food consumption. The purpose of this paper is to explore four major dimensions of this surprisingly rapid structural shift in African food systems.

Design/methodology/approach 
– This chapter synthesizes the six chapters and in addition discusses future implications for agricultural education and training (AET) in Africa. 

Findings 
– AET institutions face multiple pressures as a result of these ongoing changes. High fertility rates have produced a youth bulge that currently strains educational capacity at all levels and places huge pressures accommodating 700 million youth job market entrants over the coming 30 years. 

Research limitations/implications 
– Countries vary considerably in a number of socio-economic and political dimensions making it difficult to completely generalize on each and every issue. Cross-country comparison to the level of determining which country is better than the other in many of the variables is difficult. 

Originality/value 
– Synthesis of key parameters to consider in increasing the relevance of AET institutions in Africa. 

KEYWORDS: Africa, agriculture, education, training, agri-food system change

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