Tracer Study on Effectiveness of Agricultural Training Programmes in Botswana, Lesotho and Zambia

The Strengthening Capacity for Agricultural Research and Development in Africa (SCARDA) programme was conceived with the purpose of strengthening the institutional and human capacity of African agricultural research and development systems to identify, generate and deliver research outputs that meets the needs of poor people. One of the key outputs of the programme is that the Tertiary Agricultural Education (TAE) and training institutions are empowered to match the capacity building offered to changing market demand. In the SADC region, the African Network for Agriculture, Agroforestry and Natural Resources Education (ANAFE) was tasked by SADC Secretariat to carry out the “Tracer Study” to identify key skills gaps in graduates from agricultural faculties who are employed in a range of public and private organizations in Botswana, Lesotho and Zambia. The main categories used in the study were employers and employees. Three questionnaires were prepared and used in the study. The questionnaires were for graduate employees, employers and farmers/farmer organizations. This common methodology was used across the three countries. Data were collected from March to November, 2010. Collected data were analyzed in Excel®. Reports were validated through country level workshops involving all key stakeholders. Across the three countries a total of 389 respondents (299 graduate employees, 63 employers and 27 farmer organizations) completed and returned the questionnaires.