Stakeholder forum at University of Education, Winneba

The forum was held in Ghana at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Mampong campus on 22nd September 2014. The forum aimed at briefing stakeholders on the achievements of the EDULINK II project after one year of inception, challenges encountered and map the way forward in the second year.

Sixty six participants attended the workshop. In attendance was Prof. H.K. Dapaah, the Principal of the College of Agriculture Education, UEW who chaired the forum. Three topical presentations were made.

The first was on project activities. The second presentation made by Prof. S.Y. Annorfocused on the achievements of the project in the past year. This included the construction of zero-grazing unit at the Animal Science Farm thatis nowproviding practical training for both students and prospective zero-grazing dairy cattle farmers, establishment of two dairy cattle zero-grazing unit by two farms at Agona in the Ashanti Region which have been stocked with dairy cattle obtained from Amrahia Dairy Cattle Farm under the MoFA.

It was observed that the success of zero-grazing depends on the readily availability of feed and hence the need for pasture establishment. As a result, farmers have since been trained on pasture cultivation and the two farmers with zero-grazing unit have commenced pasture development at their respective farms.

Its was noted that curriculum to be used to teach Dairy Cattle Production has been developed with particular attention to competency based learning and participatory approaches which seek to build competency of students in the Dairy Value Chain (DVC), based on Labour Market Needs Assessment (LNA).

In line with this, lecturers of Animal Science Department had been trained in competency based learning and participatory approaches in a Summer School held at Egerton University, Kenya (see separate story). In addition, some prominent dairy cattle farmers have been made to serve as student mentors to facilitate the training of students who will be ready for the labour market.

The way forward constituted the third presentation in which reference was made to the project activities as stipulated in the project document.

Stakeholders present during the forum lauded the project’s achievents in the past year and hoped that the momentum would be sustained. However, issues’ relating to the role of Fulani’s under the zero-grazing, the tedious nature of work, the use of Jersey dairy cattle other than the Friesian and milk marketing were raised and discussed thoroughly. In conclusion, Prof. Annor promised continued support to stakeholders particularly dairy farmers and indicated that the momentum of the EDULINK II project would be sustained to ensuring the realization of the overall set objectives.