The International Agricultural Centre (IAC) in the Netherlands is an independent, non-profit making foundation attached to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries. Established in 1951, IAC provides training and advisory services in agriculture, rural development and environment.

Expertise

IAC has a core staff of approximately 40 specialists in a range of disciplines related to agriculture, rural development and environment and have extensive experience in development projects and activities. Through their advisory activities which involve frequent missions to countries worldwide, they keep abreast of current trends and developments. IAC has experts in training management and organization as well as subject matter specialists.

The IAC regular training programme comprises a series of residential courses held annually in Wageningen in the Netherlands. These courses cover diverse topics in a broad range of areas including, rural extension, food and nutrition, crop production, gender, rural development, fisheries and aquaculture, livestock production, community forestry, environmental technology and sustainable land use.

Over the last ten years some 3,700 people have participated in courses at IAC. These courses are designed for groups of 20 to 25 participants, with the exception of the rural extension programme which has 70-80 participants annually. Courses are of one to five months duration and are conducted in English with some also in French.

Training goals and approach

The chief goal is to upgrade and expand the knowledge, skills and insights of professionals, especially people in mid-career. This is post-graduate training with a strong practical, task and job orientation focus.

Courses follow a multi-disciplinary approach, integrating technological developments with environmental and gender issues and giving emphasis to communication and extension techniques. Training is based on the principles of adult learning and is characterized by interactive learning with the trainer acting as facilitator.

Attention is given to selecting participants on the basis of their professional tasks and the multiplier effect of their IAC training on strengthening the organization for which they work. In all cases, participants are required to have a BSc degree or equivalent and several years' relevant work experience. Every encouragement is given to women to join IAC courses.

Tailor-made courses

Special training courses and programmes are designed and organized on request from project organizations, government departments and private agencies. Each course is tailored in content, length and duration to meet the specific requirements of the student.

In-country training

IAC cooperates with agricultural training institutes in developing countries and in many cases, has long-standing arrangements by which support is given in strengthening national and regional training capacities. Such links have been established with the Pan-African Institute for Development, Zambia, and the Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Food and Nutrition Network in Zimbabwe.

At the University of the Philippines, Los Banos, IAC has given support over a number of years in developing training programmes in seed technology, food and nutrition, and rural extension. Training activities are carried out in various other countries worldwide including the People's Republic of China, India, Pakistan and Turkey.

Staff development is another area in which IAC can help, especially in the training of trainers and also of management staff. An important part of the work of IAC is monitoring and evaluation of ongoing training programmes.

Refresher courses

IAC graduates have the opportunity to participate in refresher courses which are organized in developing countries together with national and regional training institutions. These short, intensive courses are intended to help professionals keep abreast of current developments as well as to provide an opportunity to exchange experiences with others working in similar areas.

A list of some of the courses offered by IAC can be found in On course, and further information is available from The International Agricultural Centre website.

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