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TRAINING IN POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGY Extension Systems International P.O. Box 3130, Quartzsite, Arizona 85359 USA Phone: (916) 708 7218 E-mail Us PostHarvest Training of Trainers Examples of Past Projects in Postharvest Horticultural Development Punjab Agricultural University Postharvest Training Program 1998 Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)Postharvest Training Program, USAID ACE-India 1998 Planning and Horticultural Training Consultant, USAID/Chemonics International/ACE-India Project. Jan to March 1998, July to August 1998. Lead the process of strategic planning and design of the Punjab Horticulture Postharvest Technology Center, including survey design, strategic planning meetings with the steering and advisory committees. Stakeholders included university faculty, government officers, extension agents, progressive horticultural producers, processors and marketers. Key goals and objectives: providing information, applied postharvest research and training activities aimed at helping growers to reduce postharvest losses, maintain produce quality and become more market oriented, thereby improving returns to growers. Follow-up activities include design and implementation of a Training the Trainers program and launch of the PHPTC (1998), hosting Punjabi scientist visits in CA (1999). Source: http://www.usaid.gov/pubs/cp99/ane/in.htm ACTIVITY DATA SHEET PROGRAM: INDIA TITLE AND NUMBER : Increased investment in agribusiness by private firms, 386-SPO2 STATUS: Continuing PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1999: $1,000,000 DA INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1995; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002 Purpose: The purpose of the Agricultural Commercialization and Enterprise (ACE) program is to accelerate competitive agribusiness development through increased investment flows and strengthened Indo-U.S. business linkages. USAID Role & Achievements to Date: USAID, through its ACE program, lends catalytic seed capital for pioneering agribusiness ventures producing high value horticultural and agro-processed products. This support has enabled the agribusiness loan portfolio of the Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) to grow from $5 million in 1992 to over $100 million in the five years ending December 1997. India's horticulture product exports have increased three-fold from $155 million in 1992 to estimated $500 million in 1997. USAID has facilitated Indo-US agribusiness linkages. The ACE program has successfully launched and continues to assist expansion of India's first and most comprehensive agribusiness information service housed in the Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industries. The database and trade opportunities listing provide import and export leads for goods and services as well as valuable regulatory, market and contact information for potential investors. USAID-sponsored workshops and training introduced Indian entrepreneurs to new approaches to refrigeration and preservation and established links between Indian businessmen and American suppliers. Under the program, USAID helped: establish public-private agribusiness advisory panels in Punjab, Maharashtra and Karnataka states; develop models for private investment in agricultural marketing infrastructure such as networks of cold stores, fresh produce wholesale markets and cargo facilities at selected ports and airports; and launch a joint Indo-US agricultural university linkages program for establishing a Center of Excellence for Post Harvest Technology. Description: USAID, in association with its partner, the ICICI, lends seed capital for pioneering horticultural and agro-processing ventures to demonstrate the feasibility of agribusiness lending. The ACE program also provides technical assistance and training to individual firms and industry associations and promotes Indo-US agribusiness linkages as a mechanism for technology transfer. The program also aims at removal of systemic policy and regulatory constraints on private participation in agribusiness related infrastructure and strengthening of access to information and technology. USAID plans to expand these activities with additional funding in FY 1999. Host Country and Other Donors: In response to ACE effectiveness and nationwide geographical expansion, the Government of India transferred over $20 million in local currency to ICICI to finance agribusiness operations. Additionally, after the credit worthiness of agribusiness lending was demonstrated, ICICI has invested over $80 million from its own resources in similar agribusiness activities. Other donors such as the European Union, UNDP, FAO and the World Bank have drawn on USAID experience to replicate some of the activities. As an example, the World Bank is designing a similar $300 million activity for the state of Uttar Pradesh. Beneficiaries: Farmers, rural women, financial institutions, agribusiness associations and individual firms that benefit directly and indirectly from rapid expansion of agribusiness. Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID implements activities through Chemonics International, a U.S. contractor; the International Executive Service Corps (IESC), a U.S. private voluntary organization; ICICI, the leading Indian private development bank; the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI); and Winrock International, a U.S. contractor that implements the Farmer-to-Farmer program in India. Major Results Indicators: Baseline Target Increase in total investments 0 (1991/92)1 80 (1998/99) in ACE-funded agribusiness projects (cumulative $ million) Increase in ICICI lending to the agri- 4.2 (1991/92)1 125 (1998/99) business sector (cumulative $ million) Increase in value of horticultural 155 (1991/92)2 575 (1998/99) exports ($ million) ________________________________________________ 1 Source: Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India, Chemonics International 2 Source: Agricultural Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) UP DASP World Bank 1995 to 1996 Project Assessment Consultant, World Bank/Uttar Pradesh Diversified Agricultural Support Project (UP-DASP). 1995. Member of assessment team charged with determining the status of research and educational facilities and personnel skills related to postharvest handling and processing of a wide variety of horticultural crops in the state of UP, India. Designed and recommended in-service training programs for outreach personnel and upgrades of existing research and extension facilities of the three agricultural universities. (Team leader: Hamdy Eisa, World Bank, New Delhi). Project was recently funded and is set to run from 1999 through 2003. http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000009265_3980624142630 Paste the link above into your browser for a copy of the full project appraisal report. What is the cost? There is no charge for mentoring services. Just send an e-mail or mail a letter to Dr. Lisa, and she will do her best to answer your question or point you in the right direction. Many training materials are available via e-mail at no charge. A CDRom packed full of practical training materials is available at a small fee (to cover the cost of copying, postage and packaging materials). Training CD Rom ***** TRAINING IN POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGY ***** Copyright 2002 Cooperative Ventures, USA