Sustainable potato supply chains to support rural development in Latin America

Bogota, Colombia, 13 24 November 2012

A refresher course for alumni of the Wageningen UR Centre for Development Innovation (formerly Wageningen International and IAC) courses on: Vegetable production and Horticulture Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Agro-biodiversity, biotechnology, plant breeding and seed sector development Potato technology and chain development Agriculture in transition Rural Extension (ICRE) Food industry and agri-business Facilitating multi-stakeholder processes (MSP) and social learning and for NFP Alumni of the Wageningen University MSc Studies Crop Science, Ecological Agriculture, and Management of Agricultural Knowledge Systems. Course subject Potato is one of the four major food crops in the world. The crop plays an important role in rural development in many Latin American countries. Well-functioning supply chains for potatoes are increasingly seen as a good instrument for improving rural livelihoods. This refresher course on potato supply chains will examine options for improvements in the potato supply chain, as well as the required complementary innovations in organisations, institutions and policies. The implications for policy makers, researchers, private sector agents, civil society and development agencies will be discussed. Course focus The refresher course will present and share experiences on new developments, concepts and innovative approaches to promote sustainable development of supply chains in potato. It focuses on supply chains for different types of markets including rural markets, urban markets as well as supply chains of potatoes for the processing industry. The course will address opportunities for small to medium scale farmers to further improve their role as reliable suppliers of potatoes for fresh and processing markets applying Good Agricultural Practices. This will enhance market access and improve competitiveness. Particular attention will be paid to supply systems of high quality seed potatoes since they are a critical part of the overall supply chain. New insights and innovations in seed supply systems will be presented, considering both formal and informal seed systems. Apart from technical innovations related to cultivation and post-harvest management, the course will look at institutional, organisational and policy aspects of the supply chain. Also, the role of women in the supply chain will be assessed as well as ways to support their participation in important aspects of the potato chain. Throughout the course it will be critically assessed whether development needs of stakeholders of the supply chain match with the outputs of current agricultural research and development programmes, and how current R&D programmes may be adapted. Relevant examples from the Colombian potato sector and industry will be discussed and demonstrated. Aims and objectives Long-term objectives: Contribute to the capacity of the region to support supply chain development in potato and enhance rural development. Match the requirements of farmers and rural industries with the outputs from agricultural research and development programmes. Short-term objectives: After the course the participants are able to: Analyse potato supply chains and identify opportunities for implementation of improved practices. Identify options and necessary conditions for implementation of technical, organisational and institutional innovations to improve local supply systems for high quality seed potatoes. Identify opportunities for public private partnerships in developing sustainable (seed) potato supply chains. Understand and support the role of women in potato supply chains Assess the implications for R&D programmes Target group The course is intended for professionals of public and private organisations working in the domain of potato and market-driven development. Typically, qualifying alumni will be drawn from the following positions:

Senior technical staff involved in potato research, development and extension Policy staff responsible for drafting strategic and/or development policies Program managers of development and civil society organisations responsible for drafting and/or implementation of development programs and projects Staff members of universities and colleges of higher education with responsibility for curriculum development, training and capacity building. Course Programme The course presents an overview of concepts and approaches to enhance potato supply chains and to improve local seed supply systems. Innovations and improvements at technical, organisational and institutional levels will be discussed. The program consists of three modules: Module 1: Concepts and technologies Concepts of supply chain development New technologies and developments in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Market requirements and market access of small holder producers Seed potato supply systems and seed quality control Module 2: Methodology of implementation Public private partnerships in relation to sustainable sourcing of potatoes for different markets The role of farmers organisations Examples of development and adoption of improved supply chains and seed systems Field visits, excursions and field exercises Module 3: Action plans Participants prepare action plans for improvement of potato supply chains and seed systems in their region/country thereby integrating content (module 1) and methodologies (module 2). Certificate Participants Attendance.

Requirements for admission Applicants should meet the following requirements: Be an alumnus of one of the above mentioned CDI (Wageningen International or IAC) courses or Wageningen University MSc studies Proven competence in the English language. Fellowships Fellowships from the Netherlands Government are available. Fellowships cover travel costs, board and lodging, and course materials. Fellowships are only available for: Alumni who attended the above mentioned courses or studies before November 2010, with a fellowship from the Netherlands (NFP). The direct colleagues or superiors (employers) of the above-mentioned alumni are eligible to attend the course together with the alumnus. Venue The course will be held at Bogota, Colombia. The course is residential. The venue and accommodation location will be announced at a later stage. Course dates 10 September 2012: Closing date for application 12 November: Arrival of the participants 13 November: Opening session of the course 24 November: Closing session of the course 25 November: Departure of participants Application The deadline for application is 10 September 2012. For online application and additional information, please follow the link: www.cdi.wur.nl/UK/newsagenda For queries you can contact training.cdi@wur.nl

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Organisation The course is implemented by: Wageningen UR Centre for Development Innovation, The Netherlands (responsible for the selection of participants) Colombian Corporation for Agricultural Research (CORPOICA), Bogota, Colombia
Centre for Development Innovation Wageningen UR P.O. Box 88 6700 AB Wageningen The Netherlands T +31 317 486 800 F +31 317 486 801 E: info.cdi@wur.nl I: www.cdi.wur.nl

Code: R80/33, Duration: 2 weeks, Period: 13 24 November 2012 Application deadline: 10 September 2012 Date of publication: 22 March 2012/SvdW