The Cameroon Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (CAMFAAS) held its 2nd training workshop on the New Extensionist Learning Kit (NELK) and Postharvest Management (PHM) from 7th to 8th August 2019 in Yaoundé. This training was organized in line with CAMFAAS strategy on professionalization of extension service in Cameroon and based on demand from members and stakeholders regarding implementation of recommendations from the first training held in August 2019.
This 2nd training workshop gathered 55 participants from universities, farmer’s organizations, public administration and training schools. The participants were trained on two modules of the New Extensionist (introduction to tools and methods, value chain and entrepreneurship). Participants were encouraged to complete the remaining modules of the Kit online through the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) website.
The training on NELK was coupled with a follow-up meeting on post-harvest management led by Jerry Egessa, the coordinator of PHM project at AFAAS. In August 2018, CAMFAAS and AFAAS co-organized a training session on tools and methods for post-harvest management. During that training, participants committed themselves to include post-harvest management strategies in their daily activities. One year later, it was important to follow-up and assess the achievements so far made.
During the working session, some relevant experiences were shared with participants on PHM strategies in Benin, Malawi and Uganda. An overview of PHM main challenges on food losses and food processing in Cameroon was also presented. This overview was followed by a presentation of a private initiative on PHM as key strategy for rural poverty alleviation in cassava value chain. The CODAS Caritas’ representative confirmed that, the first training workshop was relevant for their project in order to reduce food losses in their area of intervention.