Honduras

Zamarano University - 2005

The Faculty of Agriculture partnered with Zamarano University in Honduras and HMJ-Lewis Consulting in Halifax, to conduct a study to identify the potential demand for a Food Technology Centre. The project also developed an action plan for the establishment and operation of a centre.

Jamaica

Technical Agri-Education with the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) - 1994-2004

Through the Technical Agri-Education project, Faculty of Agriculture personnel worked with CASE to develop a Bachelor of Technology degree in Agricultural Food Systems, the first undergraduate degree program to be offered in the country. The Faculty of Agriculture and CASE offer this program jointly.

Jamaican Youth Initiative - 1991

This initiative involved the exchange of eight young agriculturalists from Nova Scotia and Jamaica in cooperation with the Faculty of Agriculture, the NS Federation of Agriculture, College of Agriculture in Jamaica (now CASE), and the Jamaica Agricultural Society.

College of Agriculture (now CASE) - 1989-1992

This project provided training for Jamaican staff at the Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus and short-term technical assistance by Faculty of Agriculture personnel in Jamaica.

Jamaican Agricultural Society - 1986-1989

This project assisted in developing agricultural extension activities in Jamaica though the Jamaican Agricultural Extension Society.

Colombia

Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander (UFPS) - 1997-2002

This project developed new programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in Sustainable Agriculture.

Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander (UFPS) - 1988-1995

Two consecutive projects involved staff development and program enhancements at the university’s School of Agricultural Technology in Cucuta. The second project emphasized the development of a demonstration farm and biology laboratory improvements.

Rural Development in Colombia - 1983-1987

This project developed community demonstration and extension centres for FUNDAEC, a foundation for the application and teaching of science.

Brazil

Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Parana (PUCPR) - 2000

The Faculty of Agriculture designed and assisted with the implementation a Farm Management Information System for the university farm. 

Pontificia Universidade Catolica de Parana (PUCPR) - 1997

The Faculty of Agriculture developed a Global Farm Plan to aid in the university’s development of a new agricultural program.

Universidade Federal De Santa Catarina - 1989

Collaborative research and teaching at this university led to a series of joint professional and training activities for a number of years, including workshops on international trade to EMATER (State Department of Agriculture).

CARIBBEAN

CARICOM Education for Employment Program

The CARICOM Education for Employment Program (C-EFE) was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD). The program supports economic development in the Caribbean region through strengthening of its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system. It supports education and training institutions and national training agencies (NTAs) to become more responsive, applied, demand-driven; with a goal to provide learners with the skills required by the labour market.

The ultimate outcome of C-EFE was “increased economic growth due to a more competitive, productive and gender equitable workforce in the Caribbean.” The Program was co-designed by key Caribbean individuals involved in the TVET sector, Association of Community Colleges Canada (ACCC) and DFATD.

Increased economic growth was achieved through strengthened regional capacity to coordinate, promote, and conduct quality assurance for demand-driven TVET programming and workforce certification, with a focus on developing the capacity of the NTAs throughout the region to provide occupational standards and worker certification; promoting TVET as a viable career option; and introducing career guidance to support citizens in making better career choices.

The partnership worked towards increased employment of TVET graduates in targeted, demand-driven programming, in addition to revising and harmonizing Labour Market Information Systems (LMS) across the region; strengthening relationships between industry and education; and developing a Vocational Training Information System (VTIS) to collect and manage TVET program information on a regional basis. The Education for Employment (EFE) program also identified capacity building of instructors in designing and delivering Competency Based Education Training (CBET) curriculum as a program output.

Dominica

Dominica State College (DSC) strives to be recognized as a “premier institution of higher learning, committed to excellence and responsive to the needs of stakeholders, and to the social, spiritual and economic challenges which face the Dominican society in the global environment.” With that, DSC partnered with Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture and the University of Guelph Kemptville Campus. The Partnership was awarded funding under the CARICOM Education for Employment Program (C-EFE) projects.

The Ministry of Agriculture in Dominica and the CARICOM Secretariat recognize that agriculture is a key sector for Dominica’s economic development. Agriculture is the single most important private sector activity in Dominica in terms of GDP contribution, number of persons employed, domestic food and nutrition security, sustenance of rural livelihoods and generation of foreign exchange earnings. The Partnership responded to the Ministry of Agriculture’s priority to address the decline of agricultural production by enhancing agricultural productivity and competitiveness, and commitment to provide support to key institutions within the sector, including institutions that educate and train current and future farmers.

The C-EFE provided an excellent opportunity to establish Agriculture Business Management to increase employment opportunities for youth and women, ignite the spirit of enthusiasm and the drive of entrepreneurism, and meet the needs of farmers, government and all other stakeholders in the agricultural sector in Dominica. The program aimed to support entrepreneurism and provide long term sustainable employment opportunities for students upon graduation. 

ST. KITTS and NEVIS

Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) was established in 1988 and offers a range of programs to approximately 1200 students. It strives to “foster the development of responsible, self-sufficient citizens by delivering a range of academic, professional and vocational courses and programmes that reflect the high values and standards and which prepare students to make lifelong contributions to their communities.” With that, CFBC partnered with Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture and the Nova Scotia Community College. The Partnership was awarded funding under the C-EFE projects.

Despite the historic fertility of the land, the agricultural system has failed to generate a reliable food supply in St. Kitts-Nevis. Food imports have been increasing while exports of agricultural products have been decreasing and indeed have plummeted following the closure of the major sugar factory in 2005. At the same time, agricultural production for local consumption has also been decreasing.

At the time of the project, as the federation worked to make the transition to a post-sugar economy, youth unemployment continued to worsen with more than 25% of 18-30 year olds having little or no work. In itself, this statistic was a major problem, particularly as unemployment is a contributing factor to the violence that puts youths at risk, and poses a potential threat to the tourism sector. Youth unemployment also bodes ill for the future and underscores the need to think and act in creative and entrepreneurial ways to generate more employment opportunities for young people.

The Partnership worked to ensure that agriculture, although burdened by the factors mentioned above, and traditionally perceived by a stigma of menial, low-paying and hard labour, would make a comeback in St. Kitts and Nevis in order to ensure food security and economic viability. By outfitting students with knowledge of agricultural science, practical applications of that science, and business fundamentals, the Partnership created a cadre of young people able to turn emerging agricultural opportunities into profitable livelihoods through entrepreneurship.

Our Partners

• University of Guelph, Kemptville Campus
• Nova Scotia Community College
• Dominica State College
• Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College
  

Funding

The CARICOM Education for Employment Program (C-EFE) was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) and administered by the Association of Community Colleges Canada (ACCC).

Contact

Suzanne Johnson
Manager, International Office
Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture
(902) 893-6726 SuzanneJohnson@dal.ca