Supporting Ag Capacity Development – Agribusiness students learn a lesson in effective marketing from a vendor in Maliana, Timor-Leste.

Michael Parr/Land O'Lakes, USAID BACET

Nearly one billion people around the world suffer from chronic food insecurity. Global demand for food is expected to increase dramatically, while the growing world population and climate change are already affecting farming practices and productivity.

To ensure that agricultural investments are sustainable and country-led, USAID is supporting agricultural capacity development on farms and in the private sector, producer organizations, research and extension institutions, government agencies, rural financial institutions, and civil society. USAID capacity development programs support a process of change in which people, organizations, and societies can improve their performance over time. These programs create, strengthen, and maintain capacity in critical areas ranging from agricultural research and policy analysis to essential skills needed to create and run farmer associations and agribusinesses. Feed the Future’s Borlaug 21^st Century Leadership Program is a major new platform for capacity development investments launched in 2011 to promote innovation in the agricultural sector. 

Some examples of USAID-supported agricultural capacity development activities include:

• Policy and Data – Strengthening countries’ ability to collect and analyze data and to formulate effective policy through programs like Enabling Agricultural Trade and the Program for Biosafety Systems. USAID also collaborates with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help countries improve their national agricultural statistics systems.
• Research – Expanding scientific research and training opportunities for both developing country and U.S. researchers through programs like the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development fellowship program, Collaborative Research Support Programs, and the Borlaug Higher Education Agricultural Research and Development Program, which supports long-term degree training.
• Extension and Advisory Services – Providing technical assistance and training to farm groups and agribusinesses through initiatives like Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services and the John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program.
• Education – Supporting universities, vocational schools, and technical colleges through programs like Modernizing Agricultural Education and Training Systems so that developing countries can better educate their work forces.
•  Agribusiness and Value Chains – Building an enabling environment for private sector investment through programs like Africa LEAD and the Cooperative Development Program.