Sharing knowledge on the use and conservation of water for food production
Amanzi for Food’ Training of Trainers Certificate of Competence in Environmental Learning and Changing Practice
The Amanzi for Food capacity development programme is an innovative set of training, networking, media and resource materials mediation actions that seek to:
1.
Connect people and organisations.
To share their knowledge and experiences and develop new skills in the use of rainwater for food production.
2.
Enhance the practice of rainwater harvesting and conservation.
To improve food production and nutrition.
3.
Provide learning resources, education and training.
For developing the knowledge and practical skills for implementing RWH & C.
4.
Support water harvesting productive demonstration activities site.
To show how to implement sustainable water harvesting practices.
5.
Explore and use opportunities for curriculum and course development.
To ensure the inclusion of RWH & C knowledge and practices.
6.
University accredited certificate of competence.
To reward those who successfully complete the course and its assignments.
The Elements of the Course
This online course has five main elements. The course materials are available online and can be used for self-paced learning. You only need to register if you wish to submit the assignments for assessment and receive the Rhodes University certificate.
1.
Course Orientation
The Course Orientation introduces you to the Amanzi for Food NQF Level 5 course. It explains what the course is about, who it is for, what NQF Level 5 means, how the course is structured, and how the assignments work. It also helps you think about your own water, food production and learning context before you begin.
2.
Module Overviews & Core Module Texts.
The course is structured into three main modules. Each module has a core text that guides you through the main learning content, concepts, examples and activities. The core texts help you understand climate, water and rainwater harvesting practices, plan a productive demonstration site, and develop a community training programme.
3.
Presentations, Videos and Learning Activities
Each unit includes supporting learning materials such as presentations, short video explanations, tools, examples, learning activities and knowledge checks. These materials help you engage with the content step by step and prepare for the larger module assignments.
4.
WRC Materials & Resources.
The course links to relevant Water Research Commission materials and Amanzi for Food resources. These resources provide practical guidance, tools and examples related to rainwater harvesting and conservation for food production. Links to these resources are included in the course where they are needed.
5.
The Assignments.
There are three main assignments in the course, one for each module. Assignment 1 focuses on reviewing local rainwater harvesting and conservation practices or conducting farmer interviews. Assignment 2 focuses on planning a productive demonstration site. Assignment 3 focuses on developing a community rainwater harvesting and conservation training programme. You only need to register if you wish to submit the assignments for the Rhodes University certificate.
The Course Process
The process involves 3 modules, and will take about 6 months to complete.
Each module consists of a Module Overview and a Core Module Text, followed by an Assignment. The assignments are designed to help you apply what you are learning in your own context, whether you are a farmer, homestead food producer, extension worker, community facilitator, trainer, teacher, NGO/CBO practitioner, or learning network member.
The assignments are also aligned with the NQF Level 5 expectations of the course. This means that you will be asked to do more than describe practices. You will explain, compare, analyse and apply rainwater harvesting and conservation knowledge in relation to your own site, community or work context.
If you wish to follow the formal route towards certification, your assignments will be assessed against specific assessment criteria developed under the Rhodes University short course policy and procedures. For this, you will need to register formally for the course and submit your assignments for assessment.
For informal training sector and for farmers sharing with others:
‘Amanzi for Food’ Training of Trainers Certificate of Competence in Environmental Learning and Changing Practice
12 Credits at NQF Level 5
Course Assessment
In order to achieve these certificates participants will be required to successfully complete assignments appropriate to their context and the level of certification. These participants will be required to register.
It is entirely possible for anyone to follow the entire course as a visitor, and have access to all the materials, including the Presentations and other resources, without registering for formal certification.
Timeframe
For people not wishing to try for certification there is no limit to the amount of time they can spend on the course.
Those who register for the formal certification process are required to complete the course, including all assignments, within 6 months of registering. Anyone can register at any stage when they feel like it. The registration and assessment processes are described at the end of this Orientation.
Supported by
This Training of Trainers (ToT) course is a key component of the Water Research Commission (WRC) Project K5/2277 (Amanzi for Food): Action-oriented strategy for knowledge dissemination and training for skills development of water use in homestead food gardening and rain water harvesting for cropland food production.
The course is funded through this WRC Project, and further support is provided by many partners involved in the Learning Network.