AKTC Mobile Training Team (MTT) Receives Training in Transferring Knowledge

For over a decade now, the AKTC project, financed by BMEL, continues to actively promote agricultural knowledge transfer to the Zambian farmer. More than 22,600 training man days have been achieved since project inception in 2014 at the Golden Valley Agricultural research Trust (GART)-Chaloshi farm in Chisamba, Zambia. 

Over the years, AKTC has gained more popularity within Zambia and the region leading to overwhelming demand for its trainings from both Government ministries and private organizations. In response to this growing demand, the AKTC is upscaling its reach by recruiting 6 mobile training officers to take up the role of conducting outreach trainings across Zambia. The trainers who have been engaged since August 2024, are currently undergoing a series of AKTC trainings centred around 3 major segments of Crop Production, Agricultural Machinery Operation and Maintenance, Farm Business Management and Climate Resilience.

To validate these trainers as ready for service and adhere to the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) guidelines, a teaching methodology training was designed for their participation. This training aimed at preparing the trainers to effectively design and deliver meaningful training content to various target groups. AKTC therefore engaged the University of Zambia (UNZA) Department of Community Education and Lifelong Learning, who designed and conducted a 5-day training at AKTC premises in Chisamba. The training further aimed at imparting the trainers with necessary training techniques and methods that would improve their capabilities and skills mostly needed in knowledge transfer.  Included as part of the training content were principles of adult learning, instructional methods and techniques used in adult learning, curriculum design and content development as well as presentation skills among others.

To further reinforce the training outcome, the trainers were given practical assignments in which they were required to develop training contents of their choice and have it presented before the expert trainers. Feedback was given to each trainer based on training content design, adopted training techniques and presentation styles.

Conclusively, the training in teaching methodology provided valuable technical know-how into the design, delivery and evaluation of training programmes with specific focus on agricultural extension. It also provided the trainers with adequate insights on how to tailor their training topics to different training groups. Apart from the many acquired skills, the involved trainers testified of the gained confidence to stand and hold presentations to diverse audiences.

For more information please contact alexander.lotz [at] gopa-afc.de