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Tropentag, September 17 - 19, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic

"Bridging the gap between increasing knowledge and decreasing resources"


Manpower Development and Education System in Agriculture in Iraq after Conflict Period

Vladimir Krepl1, Badir Al-Gaboori2, Patrick Francis Kapila3

1Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Fac. of Tropical AgriSciences, Dept. of Sustainable Technologies, Czech Republic
2Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Consumer Protection of the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
3University of Venda, School of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural and Rural Engineering, South Africa


Abstract


Manpower development in agriculture in Iraq, particularly the development of the educational system in Iraq, requires a beneficial policy environment. The insufficient education system additionally suffered through thirty years of instability in the country that stigmatized manpower development in the agricultural sector.
The development of agriculture in Iraq is at present inconceivable without education and training which has to correspond with the current situation in rural areas. Iraqi agriculture has gone through many changes during the last three decades. Unfortunately, these changes have had a negative impact with the lack of water, soil erosion, elimination of crop rotation, lack of agronomy intervention, non-availability of vet control and services, lack of maintenance for farm machinery, lack of power, etc.
New educational programmes for vocational training, high schools or universities have to reflect the real and long-term requirements of Iraqi agriculture.
During the years 2008-2012 the authors researched in the education levels in the agricultural field. The study collected data from the Iraqi Statistical Office (Ministry of Planning, 2012) using questionnaires as a research tool. A total of 620 questionnaires were received from a total of 1200 administered SWOT analyses.
One of the main objectives of study was to assess the current education curricula in schools and academic bodies in the field of agriculture in Iraq. Based on the findings, a proposal for a new educational programme in form of syllabus was developed.
The syllabuses are designed on the basis of particular requirements not only for the professional field but also with respect to the location and region of Iraq. The focus is mainly on the vocational and high school programmes in crop production, animal husbandry; further in postharvest technology, particularly on food processes, conservation and packaging technology.
The above mentioned education curricula are set up for rural areas of Iraq with a focus on agriculture and non agricultural production, particularly for farmers, smallholders as well as for small and medium sized entrepreneurs.


Keywords: Education, entrepreneurs, Iraq, smallholders, syllabus


Contact Address: Vladimir Krepl, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Fac. of Tropical AgriSciences, Dept. of Sustainable Technologies, Kamycka 129, 165 21 Prague, Czech Republic, e-mail: krepl@ftz.czu.cz


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