African agricultural managers learn from Australian experience

Gerrard Toscan from his Darlington Point farm describes to 
the participants the maize storage systems which have the capacity 
to keep his grain pest and disease free.

11 June 2012. A delegation of African agricultural managers have visited farms, research institutes and industry organisations in the Murray Irrigation Area of NSW to learn about management of maize and rice, under a University of Sydney program funded by the Australian government.

The group of 10 African mid-career professionals working in the industry are visiting the University of Sydney for four weeks to complete a course in post-harvest management of maize, rice and legumes.

Associate Professor Robyn McConchie, from the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, is leading the training funded by AusAID as part of the Australia Awards in Africa initiative.

Coming from nine African countries - Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Togo and Uganda - the 10 participants in this first cohort of the program work for a variety of organisations, including government departments of agriculture, universities and agricultural research centres.

"The program examines post-harvest management and handling of grains in both Australia and Africa, and actively allows participants to apply this knowledge to their own workplaces. We want to strengthen their management, planning, problem solving, communication and outreach skills, making our participants real agents of change in their home countries," said Associate Professor McConchie.