Organization: Seed System
Registration deadline: 28 Feb 2018
Starting date: 15 Apr 2018
Ending date: 29 Apr 2018
Overview
With increased global scrutiny focused on ill-tailored or dependency-generating seed responses, Seed System Security Assessments (SSSAs) are rapidly becoming the de-facto tool in preventing misdiagnosis of seed insecurity. Seed security is now widely seen as distinct from food security and there is growing worldwide interest in this new field of SSSAs.
With increased visibility, the demand for SSSAs is rising. Seed System Security Assessments have recently been integrated into USAID guidelines and standards for best practice, and organizations like Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the UN-Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are routinely commissioning actual field assessments. There is an urgent need to build a specialized set of experts who can lead such assessments worldwide.
Course content
This course will train in both rapid and more comprehensive forms of SSSAs. It will focus on a) analysis of all seed channels (own stocks, social networks, local networks, formal seed sellers) and b) targeted response options to deal with problems at hand. Tools will be both qualitative and quantitative (including options for automated data tallies and table formats). Methods for training will figure prominently with the aim to create leaders who train others as well as manage direct field assessments. Note that the focus will embrace different types of disaster, chronic stress and developmental contexts (see seedsystem.org).
Timing 15 April to 29 April 2018 (arrival and departure dates)
Where Mbeya, Tanzania and multiple rural sites
Preconditions for course participation
- At least a Bachelor of Arts/Science in fields such as: Agriculture, Rural Development, International Studies, Agronomy, Applied Economics…
- At least five years of field experience among smallholder farmers;
- Training experience or field mission leadership experience;
- Time availability/flexibility to go on missions and train others;
- Good competence in English, especially speaking and reading
In terms of expenses, the organizers will cover only airfare, visa, hotels, internal travel—and add a modest per diem for meals.
Certification:
A partial certification will be issued to those who successfully complete the course. Full certificates will be after trainers complete an independent SSSA.
How to register:
Application form:https://goo.gl/forms/T9ijmHVldwYkb2gj2
Note that the course will be limited to the first 15 suitable candidates.
Applications should be submitted by 28 February 2018.
For more information please contact Dr. Louise Sperling (louise.sperling@crs.org) .