Technology-Medicated Open and Distance Education for Agricultural Education and Improved Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa  

FOREWORD

The Learning for Livelihoods Sector of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL; www.col.org) addresses the major challenges related to learning and skills development that are key for living and for improvement of livelihoods. Developing conceptual frameworks, influencing policy, enabling technology-mediated learning, and strengthening networks and partnerships are some of the strategies that COL uses for promoting learning and skills for agricultural development, poverty alleviation, and environmental protection.  In this context, COL aims at building individual and institutional capacity in the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) combined with open and distance learning (ODL) in the way of technology-mediated open and distance education (Tech‑MODE).

COL supports learning activities at various levels from grassroots to policy through partnerships with public, private and community-based national, regional and international institutions and organisations involved in agricultural education, extension, research and development.  In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), and international agricultural research centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) are the key international partners.

Anticipating that Tech-MODE will increasingly become an essential tool in the delivery of information, knowledge and education in sub-Saharan Africa, COL undertook eight country case studies with the help of national collaborators from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The twenty authors and co-authors who provided the case studies are eminent practitioners and observers of Tech-MODE in agriculture. COL expects that these studies will be encouraging and useful to, and taken up by partners in the area of agricultural research and development in SSA.

COL is fortunate to have Dr. Rainer Zachmann as its consultant to put the case studies together. Dr. Anthony Youdeowei's generous support to this initiative is also highly appreciated. Both of them drew upon their experience and knowledge of Tech‑MODE in agriculture to shape and enrich the information contained in this report.


Krishna Alluri

Education Specialist, Food Security and Environment, and
Team Leader, Learning for Livelihoods
Commonwealth of Learning