Module 1: Introduction to Markets and Food Security

• The role of markets in food availability and access.
• Market functions: Exchange, information, price discovery.
• Types of agricultural markets: Local, regional, national, international.
• Market failures and their implications for food security.
• Understanding food security within a market context.
• Practical session: Group discussion on the local market dynamics for a staple food product and its impact on food access.

Module 2: Value Chain Analysis for Market Access

• Defining agricultural value chains: Stages, actors, relationships.
• Steps in conducting a value chain analysis.
• Identifying opportunities for upgrading and efficiency.
• Analyzing power dynamics and governance in value chains.
• Role of vertical and horizontal linkages in market access.
• Practical session: Mapping a simplified value chain for a specific agricultural product, identifying key actors and bottlenecks.

Module 3: Market Information Systems and Price Analysis

• Importance of timely and accurate market information.
• Sources of market information: Government agencies, private providers, farmer networks.
• Tools for collecting and disseminating market data.
• Basic principles of price analysis: Trends, seasonality, volatility.
• Using market information for production, marketing, and policy decisions.
• Practical session: Interpreting market price charts for an agricultural commodity and discussing factors influencing price fluctuations.

Module 4: Agricultural Marketing Strategies and Best Practices

• Product differentiation and branding for agricultural products.
• Market segmentation and targeting.
• Pricing strategies for agricultural produce.
• Distribution channels: Direct sales, wholesalers, retailers.
• Promotion and communication strategies.
• Practical session: Developing a basic marketing plan for a hypothetical farmer cooperative wishing to sell a new crop.

Module 5: Post-Harvest Handling and Quality Standards for Market Access

• Impact of post-harvest losses on marketability and profitability.
• Best practices in harvesting, sorting, grading, and packaging.
• Importance of quality standards (national, regional, international).
• Certification schemes and their role in market access.
• Food safety requirements for market entry.
• Practical session: Reviewing common quality defects in a specific agricultural product and discussing their impact on market value.

Module 6: Financing and Risk Management in Agricultural Trade

• Access to finance for market-oriented agriculture: Microfinance, commercial banks, grants.
• Crop insurance and other risk mitigation tools.
• Contract farming and collective marketing agreements.
• Managing market price volatility and other trade risks.
• Investment opportunities in agricultural value chains.
• Practical session: Discussing different financing options for smallholder farmers looking to expand their market access.

Module 7: Trade Policies, Agreements, and Food Security

• Overview of international trade institutions (e.g., WTO).
• Types of trade policies: Tariffs, quotas, non-tariff barriers.
• Regional trade agreements and their implications for food trade.
• Impact of trade liberalization and protectionism on food security.
• Balancing trade and food security objectives.
• Practical session: Analyzing a simple trade agreement and discussing its potential impact on food availability or affordability.

Module 8: Global Food Trade Dynamics and Trends

• Major global food commodities and trade flows.
• Drivers of global food trade: Population growth, urbanization, dietary shifts.
• Role of multinational corporations in global food trade.
• Emerging markets and new trade opportunities.
• Challenges and risks in global food trade (e.g., trade wars, supply chain disruptions).
• Practical session: Discussing recent global food trade news and its potential impact on different countries' food security.

Module 9: Overcoming Market Access Barriers

• Technical barriers to trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures.
• Infrastructure limitations: Roads, storage, transportation.
• Information asymmetries and lack of market intelligence.
• Access to finance and credit constraints.
• Building producer capacity and collective action.
• Practical session: Identifying common market access barriers for a specific product in a given market and brainstorming solutions.

Module 10: Designing Market-Oriented Food Security Interventions

• Principles of market-based approaches to food security.
• Steps in designing a market access intervention.
• Integrating gender and youth considerations in market development.
• Monitoring and evaluation of market-oriented programs.
• Case studies of successful market-based food security initiatives.
• Practical session: Working in groups to outline a market-oriented food security intervention plan for a specific community or agricultural product.

Requirements:

·       Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

·       Applicants must live up to Armstrong Global Institute admission criteria.

Terms and Conditions

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free

2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.

4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.

5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Approved. Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Armstrong Global Training & Development Center Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.

2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.

3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.

2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.

3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request for a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it conducted at our Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588 or Email training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com

Accommodation and Airport Transfer

Accommodation and Airport Transfer is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588