SEAD NEWSLETTER -- 4th Edition -- September 2017

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Strengthening Education for Agricultural

Development (SEAD) Newsletter. This bi-monthly publication will give you

the project news, updates, stories and upcoming events. - The SEAD Team -

News from the SEAD Project The third quarter of 2017 has witnessed a lot of activities in the SEAD project, despite the annual leave that many of us have enjoyed. The start of the Research & Innovation Capacity Development trajectory, to strengthen the research and innovation capacities of staff of beneficiary institutions took place in June and has resulted in the submission of 11 relevant project proposals under the SEAD/STIC Fund. We expect that a considerable number of these will be given (co)funding to carry out their project of which the results will be captured in a report by January 2018. By then the SEAD project envisions to

start up the second RICD cycle that will allow for more projects that will address verified challenges in the agricultural sector. The project also started with the roll out of the first tailor made training to farmers, cooperatives and agribusinesses, more specifically on post-harvest handling in the potato and horticulture value chain and financial record keeping for farmers in the poultry value chain. More tailor-made training are in the pipeline to address the skill gaps articulated by the private sector and extension service providers. A comprehensive training needs assessment for management and leadership of beneficiary institutions was another major activity undertaken by the project. The information out of the interviews at beneficiary institutions clearly informed the project on the way forward concerning the provision of targeted training for management & leadership to ensure sustainability of the project’s interventions beyond its lifespan. The benchmarking mission to The Netherlands to further inform the conceptualisation of the Service Training & Innovation Centres (STIC) took place from 4-12 September. Representatives of beneficiary institutions most linked to the STIC visited all sorts of “STICs” in dairy, poultry, potato and horticulture. Besides that a meeting with the donor (NUFFIC) and consortium partners Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences and Delft University of Technology was part of the programme. To say the least, the delegation came back with ‘food for thought’! The last months, the project also actively participated in discussions with both the Education Sector Working Group for Higher Education and TVET on the new Education Sector Strategy Plan. SEAD aims at aligning its interventions, as much as possible, to the priorities captured in the ESSP including, but not limited to the focus on ODeL (Open and Distance eLearning) and CBET (Competency Based Education & Training). Discussions with the Rwanda Water and Forestry Authority (i.e. the IWRM department), the Rwanda Agriculture Board (Head of the Agricultural Zones in the Northern and Southern Province, their programme managers and the national coordinator of the Farmer Field Schools) and IMBARAGA Farmers’ Federation completed a challenging but rewarding 3rd quarter of 2017.

Focus on one of the international implementing partners: Q-Point Q-Point BV is a Dutch consultancy firm, specialized in projects for agrofood businesses, NGOs and public institutions, with a broad

Research & Innovation Capacity Development - 1st cycle on its way! One of the key components of the SEAD project is to strengthen the Research & Innovation Capacities of the beneficiary institutions, especially of those staff not having had that

experience in coordinating international supply chain and capacity building projects in food safety, market linkages, agrobusiness, sustainable agriculture and food production. Q-Point has a large portfolio of private sector clients in i.e. the agrofood sector, implementing and maintaining quality management systems. For the SEAD project Q-Point brings extensive experience in implementing value chain related projects, business development and performance improvement of companies, cooperatives and organizations. Q-Point has been leading in several market assessments and studies carried out by HE Institutions in the region. In Rwanda Q-Point is involved as a leading partner in 4 relevant value chain development projects since 2013, with extensive experience in capacity building in Rwandan (and East African) value chains, implementing these assignments together with local experts and the project beneficiaries. Read more...

Rwanda Priority Skills for Growth (PSG) Programme for Results Project The Government of Rwanda has signed a new program worth 120 Million USD, with the World Bank aimed at strengthening skills in priority areas. The development objective of the Priority Skills for

much exposure to the initiation, design, execution and dissemination of research. Beneficiaries were asked to identify interesting and foremost relevant research & innovation topics that address a verified challenge in one of the SEAD value chains. Over 15 teams submitted their topics and were invited to a well appreciated workshop in June, facilitated by professor Meine Pieter van Dijk of Maastricht School of Management, to finetune their ideas, be guided through the essentials of research methodologies and, foremost, to be challenged on their initial thought on what and how to conduct their research. The better understanding of the topic at hand, the way to approach their research, complemented with a critical literature review around their topics, was then the input for another workshop taking place in September. Read more...

Professors Van Dijk and De Clercq facilitating the RICD workshop

Growth Program-for-Results Project for Rwanda is to expand opportunities for the acquisition of quality, market-relevant skills in selected economic sectors including Energy, Transport and Logistics, and Manufacturing (with a focus on ‘Made in Rwanda’ products) . The proposed operation is aligned with themes under the World Bank’s Country Partnership Strategy for Rwanda FY2014-2018. The project duration is for 2017 to 2020. The target sectors for developing skills were determined based on the following criteria: (a) priority sectors of focus under the EDPRS-2; (b) sectors that employ large numbers of the population; (c) sectors with potential for value addition and improved productivity; (d) sectors where foreign direct investment is increasing and/or where significant public finances have been directed; (e) sectors that will support growth in other sectors; and (f) sectors where there is insufficient financing from government and development partners (DPs). The project is also rolled out in a performance for result approach. Read more...

Collaboration between the SEAD and the W4GR Programme In August, senior management from the IWRM department (part of the Rwanda Water and Forestry Authority (RWFA) met with the SEAD project to be updated on the

Introduction of Musanze Polytechnic Musanze Polytechnic, which opened its doors on March 30th, 2015, is a government higher learning institution, located in Northern Province, established to offer all levels of training in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET). It provides the students with skills for professionalism in Agriculture and Food Processing, Irrigation and Drainage Technology, Construction Technology, Hospitality Management and Electrical Technology. It also provides short courses to impart knowledge and skills to the local communities. One amongst those programmes is a 4-month training in Food processing, where the value chain-based knowledge to local citizens is a priority to preserve a farm to fork spirit. Since 2015, Musanze Polytechnic started being involved in the SEAD project activities through its two departments of Agriculture & Food Processing (AFP) and Irrigation and Drainage Technology (IDT). In the SEAD project, which aims at capacitating the HLIs’ staff to fill the skills gap regarding the Value Chains of Irish Potato, Dairy, Poultry and Horticulture/Vegetables; Musanze Polytechnic, together with INES-Ruhengeri and CAVM-Busogo, will mainly play a role to improve the Irish potatoes and dairy value chains in the Northern Province. Read more....

research & innovation topics that were identified by the value chain teams that have a focus on the cross cutting themes, more on issues related to land- & water management. Topics included 1) Mitigation measures against flood, erosion and landslides for sustainable agriculture in northern region of Rwanda; 2) Analytical assessment between the crop yield and water productivity trade-offs in Eastern Province, Rwanda; 3) Assessment of water availability and accessibility for sustainable livelihoods in northern Rwanda and 4) Geotechnical study of the cause of frequent heavy landslides in the northern province of Rwanda. The IWRM Department took great interest in the various research topics identified by the various teams as they were very relevant for Rwanda and, partly, also on their research agenda. Support was offered in further finetuning the various research proposals as well as in providing the teams access to data, information and expertise available. The IWRM department, supported by the W4GR project, and the SEAD project have expressed their intent to closely work together on the identification and execution of research that is related to land- & water management. During the 2nd cycle of the Research Innovation Capacity Development, taking off in January 2018, IWRM/W4GR and SEAD will collaborate closely, to guide the identification of new research & innovation topics ensuring a synergy between both interventions that may lead, in time, to a national research agenda for land & water management. Read more...

Musanze Polytechnic

SEAD seeks closer collaboration with IMBARAGA Farmer's Federation During the first roll out of tailor made training to farmers and cooperatives in the Potato Value Chain, the SEAD project was much supported by the farmers’ organisation IMBARAGA, more specifically through its executive secretary, Eng. Denys Munzuyarwo. A large group of farmers and cooperatives were identified and invited to the training that took place in IMBARAGA’s training centre in Musanze. The collaboration planted the seeds for further collaboration during the implementation of the SEAD project, more specifically in:

• The identification/articulation of training needs and priority themes for applied research among farmers and cooperatives in Rwanda

• The development of tailor made training for farmers and cooperatives

• The provision of tailor made training to farmers and cooperatives

To this effect, we are very happy to announce that preparations are underway to agree on a

Memorandum of Understanding between SEAD and the IMBARAGA Farmers’ Federation. What is the IMBARAGA Farmers’ Federation?

The mission of IMBARAGA Farmers’ Organization is to increase farmers’ professionalism through capacity building for productivity and competitiveness and protect farmers’ socio-economic rights through lobby and advocacy. Read more...

STIC Exposure visit - Agrico Research in Emmerloord

Special Item: STIC Exposure Visit in The Netherlands The SEAD project is actively supporting the establishment of so-called Service Training & Innovation Centres (STIC), as an interface mechanism between

education institutions, the public sector, and the private sector. Internationally there is evidence that such “triple helix” models work best in promoting innovation and economic development, through collecting, sharing and applying knowledge. STICs will offer an opportunity within the four value chains for technology display, performing technical trials, information retrieval, networking, training, and organization of events. They will also bring commercial parties together with knowledge centres to showcase products & services & offer a platform for matchmaking. From 4-12 September a Rwandan delegation with high level representatives of the Educational Institutions in the SEAD project, visited the Netherlands to familiarise themselves with Dutch triple helix models and analyse the critical success factors for such models. They also explored the feasibility of such models for Rwanda and identified specific needs for adapting the concept to the Rwandan context. Concentrating on the four value chains of poultry, dairy, horticulture and potatoes, as well as cross cutting issues in water management, the delegation visited the following centres and education partners in the SEAD project:

• Horticulture Improvement Centre in Bleiswijk https://delphy.nl/en/team/improvement-centre-en/

• Poultry expertise Centre in Barneveld and Poultry Innovation Lab of Groenhorst AOC in Barneveld www.poultryexpertisecentre.com

• Animal health service in Deventer http://www.gdanimalhealth.com/ • Agrico Research in Emmeloord, www.agrico.nl • Dairy Training Centre in Goutum (formerly PTC+)

http://www.dairytrainingcentre.com/en/ • Dairy Campus in Leeuwarden https://www.dairycampus.nl/en/Home.htm

• Van Hall Larenstein (University of Applied Science) in Velp http://www.vhluniversity.com/vhl-studies.aspx

• Technical University Delft: Indoor Waterlab; Field lab flood proof Holland; Entrepreneurship hub/business incubator YES! Delft, https://www.tudelft.nl/; https://www.tudelft.nl/en/technology-transfer/tech-investment/entrepreneurship/; https://www.yesdelft.com

What the delegation mostly learned during their visit was that setting up triple helix models requires time, investments and champion-ship of parties who have a stake in the success of the operation. And that indeed these models can be lucrative with sound financial management.

Photos - Left to Right: STIC Exposure visit - Dairy training centre in Oenkerk

STIC Exposure visit - Visit at Delphy Horticulture Improvement Centre

Management and Leadership Training Needs Assessment The SEAD project has three major lines of intervention: 1) Curriculum Development/Revision; 2) strengthen the research & innovation capacities of the beneficiary institutions and 3) strengthen the outreach services, more specifically the offer of tailor made training. An impressive number of interventions has been rolled out and/or being planned for in the coming year to contribute to a sustained food security in Rwanda by meeting these national needs for education, research and technology transfer in agricultural production, value chain management and agribusiness.The project puts considerable emphasis on the sustainability to ensure that its benefits are maintained and scaled up beyond the end of the interventions. One way of working towards sustainability is to make sure that new competencies and procedures are being absorbed by the beneficiaries, that these are integrated into their existing structures; in other words: to make sure that the new capacities that have been transferred become the norm in the institution. Read more...

Dr Rita van Deuren in discussion on Challenges of management of INES Ruhengeri

Community and Outreach services, tailor made training The SEAD project departs from the traditional capacity building projects under the so-called NICHE programme in that it does not view strengthening of education institutions as its main goal. Capacitating the education institutions is regarded as the means to achieving its actual objective: providing the agricultural sector (farmers, cooperatives, agribusinesses & extension service providers) with the skills, research & innovation results and outreach services that will enable them to increase the quantity and quality of the agricultural produce that, in turn will benefit the livelihoods of Rwandans and at the same time contributes to achieving sustainable food security in the country. Not surprisingly, the project is putting emphasis on strengthening the capacities of the education institutions in the development and implementation of community and outreach services. Informed by the skills needs of the private sector, the SEAD project commenced in the development of the first tailor made trainings. Read more...

Farmers participating in the tailor made training in Musanze (photo left) and Kamonye (photo right)

Post harvest handling Kamonyni - farmer looking at the charcoal cooler

AGENDA & UPCOMING EVENTS

• 04-05 October: Poultry African Expo Over 1,000 visitors from whole Sub-Saharan Africa will attend Poultry Africa expo & leadership conference will be organized for the first time ever in Rwanda, this will support and develop the region getting ready to be introduced to new products and innovations. http://poultryafrica2017.com/

• 05-06 December: Joint 5th SASA international conference and 2nd Rwanda Biotechnology conference: Society for the advancement of Science in Africa (SASA) in collaboration with university of Rwanda with THEME: Translational Science Biotechnology Advances in Africa. http://sasascience.org/conference/2017-conference

SEAD activities: • 09 October 2017 - 12 January 2018: selected project proposals under

the SEAD/STIC Fund carried out by respective teams • October 2017: meetings with IMBARAGA Farmers’ Federation to arrive

at an Memorandum of Understanding with the SEAD project • October 2017: meetings with the various Head of Agricultural Zones

(South, East, North) and RAB Head Quarters on linking the SEAD project to the Farmer Field School/Twigire Muhinzi structures

• October 2017: meetings with University of Rwanda on possible support from the SEAD project toward ODeL and CBET

• 23-27 October 2017 : Tailor Made Training on financial record keeping for dairy farmers in Musanze district, facilitated by Mark Bos (Q-Point)

• 13-17 November 2017: starting up curriculum development for RTQF level 6/7 in water & land management, facilitated by Dennis de Jager (Van Hall Larenstein)

• 27 November – 01 December 2017: tentative dates for regional benchmarking for the establishment of the STICs

Upcoming SEAD newsletter: • 15 December 2017: Readers interested in including an editorial in the

next newsletter are invited to send their contributions before 15 December 2017

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Go to the SEAD Public Site

SEAD is funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the EP-NUFFIC

Netherlands Initiative for Capacity development in Higher Education (NICHE)

programme, and implemented through a partnership between the National Capacity

Building Secretariat (NCBS) and Mott MacDonald in consortium with Delphy BV,

Maastricht School of Management, Q-Point BV, SNV Netherlands Development

Organisation, Stellenbosch University, Delft University of Technology and Van Hall

Larenstein University of Applied Sciences.

Our mailing address is:

SMO-NICHE268Rwanda@365site.mottmac.com