Overview on short courses in new extensionist and policy formulation and translation using DHS data survey under agriculture policy analysis.

The Africa Center of Excellence in Agricultural Policy Analysis (APA-ACE II) is committed to transforming the agricultural landscape by fostering strong collaborations between academic institutions and key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

One of the ways that the centre shows this commitment is through short course trainings. In March 2024 the centre through the Extension and Agriculture and Applied Economics Departments held short courses. The extension department aimed at training the participants in advanced extension knowledge and skills for Agri-Food System Transformation, whereby agricultural extensions and rural advisory services moves from the traditional agricultural advisory services to a more holistic approach in the dynamic landscape of rural transformation.

The new Extensions approach advocates for expanded roles in agriculture and rural development, emphasizing the need for new capacities at the individual, organizational, and systems levels. The participants were also trained in policy advocacy for rural advisory services, showcasing approaches like advising, media campaigning, lobbying, and activism and also diverse aspects of Monitoring and Evaluation.

Gender Issues were not left out in this training participants explored gender, recognizing its impact on rural livelihoods, and identifying opportunities for meaningful engagement. The department of Agriculture and Applied Economics trained the participants in policy formulation and translation using DHS Data Survey, this program empowered participants with invaluable skills in harnessing the potential of DHS data for impactful policy formulation.

Participants were immersed in a comprehensive curriculum covering a broad range of essential topics, from understanding research problems through the DHS data dashboard to mastering variables for effective policy setting. The course delves into recording variable systems, quantitative approaches for policy dialogue, and introductory statistics and modeling for quantitative analysis.