Feasibility Study on the Establishment of a Training and Demonstration

The feasibility study should follow a participatory approach to analyze the project boundaries and constraints of implementation and provide viable options for the intended implementation project. This will be reached by close consultations with staff members from the state agricultural extension service of the Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock (MAL), and governmental and private sector agricultural extension centers. The recently released agroforestry strategy of Zambia is of key interest in determining the boundaries of the intended implementation project.

The feasibility study aims at collecting and analyzing all relevant information which is necessary for the development of a consistent project concept. Major contents of the baseline analysis pertain to currently implemented agroforestry systems and those identified by researchers which hold potential for implementation. Emphasis is put on the potential for food security, ecosystem/smallholder adaptation to climate change and the marketability of goods.

Finally, the results of the study should be presented to and discussed with all relevant stakeholders and organizations in a final workshop. The focus is to increase awareness on the intended implementation project and its contents and to reflect on the lessons learned and the feasibility of the project in consultation with different stakeholders. As a result, the implementation project concept may be further refined and streamlined.

A variety of tools lent from empirical social research commonly used in development cooperation projects need to be employed in the feasibility study. As such, key person interviews, group discussions, verifications by triangulation, cross-checking of data etc. may be considered. They will be complemented by field visits and personnel observations. All relevant national and district governmental, civil society and private sector partners and stakeholders should be consulted and the role of existing extension service providers as potential project partners analyzed by means of a SWOT framework (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). Special consideration should be given to the needs and expectations of the smallholders of Petauke and Chisamba Districts. It is expected that this will help to gain more realistic information about each target groups, their skills, motivation and restrictions.

The establishment of the training and demonstration center for agroforestry needs to be analysed for two alternative locations (district Petauke and district Chisamba) and the options to conceptually integrate the other location with a branch office respectively. The BMEL-funded German- Zambian Agricultural Trainings and Knowledge Center (AKTC) is already established in Chisamba district.