Agricultural Training Centre in Upper Volta

The UN Development Programme (UNDP), with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) serving as Executing Agency, has been assisting in the establishment of an Agricultural Training Centre in Bobo-Dioulasso, Upper Volta. The project became operational in March 1963, and is scheduled to be completed in March 1968. The functions of the Centre are the training of agricultural extension personnel and farmers; field experimentation; seed and fruit-tree multiplication; and the demonstration of improved crop and animal husbandry practices. The Centre provides four-levels of training for agricultural technicians, lower-level technicians, leading farmers and existing staff of agricultural services (the latter receiving refresher courses). The Centre also includes an experimental farm for raising of crops and of animals; a small model village to study the application of improved production methods and management; and a training programme for counterpart personnel who will continue to run the project following completion of UNDP/FAO assistance.
Second dressing of a field at the Agricultural Training Centre in Matourkou. At right, is G. Dar (Israel), FAO expert in farm management. [Exact date unknown]