The document discusses manpower development and training needs for sustainable irrigation in Nigeria. It notes that while Nigeria has invested heavily in irrigation projects, many large projects have been disappointing due to a lack of properly trained staff. There is an acute shortage of suitably trained manpower to operate irrigation schemes. The document calls for establishing an effective training framework, assessing needs, and providing various forms of training to scheme officials and farmers to improve management of irrigation resources and productivity. This includes classroom, field, and workshop training on topics such as project management, extension services, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.

1. Manpower Development and Training for
Sustainable Irrigation Development in
Nigeria
National Seminar on Sustainable Irrigation
Development in Nigeria in the 21st
Century
Bashir, D., A.K. Ndahi and S.D.
Ahmed
National Water Resources Institute,
Kaduna
Giginya Hotel, Sokoto
2-5 July 2001

2. Manpower Dev. & Training ... Bashir, Ndahi and Ahmed 5 July 2001 2
Background
 High priority accorded agriculture in
general and irrigation in particular
 Huge investments on development of
irrigation projects
 Performances of large and capital intensive
projects have been disappointing
 Emphasis shifting to small scale projects
 More than 200,000 ha of land under
irrigation

3. Manpower Dev. & Training ... Bashir, Ndahi and Ahmed 5 July 2001 3
Existing ManpowerStatus
 Acute shortage of suitably trained
manpower
 Most scheme operators are juniorand
middle level with minimal qualifications
 Little emphasis on management training for
technical staff
 Most academically qualified staff lack
relevant skills
 Minimal training and involvement of users
in O&M

4. Manpower Dev. & Training ... Bashir, Ndahi and Ahmed 5 July 2001 4
HRD& T - Fundamentals
 Effective HRD& T should:
 Aimat enabling improved performance of
staff and greaterproductivity and better
management of resources
 Lead to a change and upgrading of
competence and potentials in terms of:
Awareness, Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes,
etc
 Be needs driven
 Consists of a systematic process with clear

5. Manpower Dev. & Training ... Bashir, Ndahi and Ahmed 5 July 2001 5
The Training Cycle
Needs
Assessmen
t
Objectives
Setting
Program
Design
Program
Implementation
Evaluation &
Follow-up

6. Manpower Dev. & Training ... Bashir, Ndahi and Ahmed 5 July 2001 6
Training Needs for
Scheme Officials
 Project Management Training
 Extension Services Agents Training
 Technology TransferTraining
 Training forPlanners & Evaluators
 Entrepreneurial Development Training

7. Manpower Dev. & Training ... Bashir, Ndahi and Ahmed 5 July 2001 7
Training Needs forFarmers
 Rural Development Awareness Training
 Functional Literacy Training
 Entrepreneurial Development Training
 Infrastructure Management Training
 FarmerTraining

8. Manpower Dev. & Training ... Bashir, Ndahi and Ahmed 5 July 2001 8
Forms of Training Schemes
 ForScheme Officials:
 Classroomtype of instruction
 Field demonstration
 Training workshops
 Seminars
 Project review meetings
 ForFarmers:
 Field demonstrations
 Training workshops
 Peervisits

9. Manpower Dev. & Training ... Bashir, Ndahi and Ahmed 5 July 2001 9
Institutional FrameworkforHRD
& Training
Federal Min. of Water Resources
- Policy guidelines
- Monitoring
- Funding
National Water Resources Institute
- Short courses
- Induction courses
- In-house training
- Management training
- Satellite Training Center programs
- On-the-Job-Training programs
Manpower & Training Committee
- Policy guidelines
- Monitoring
- Funding
Educational Institutions
- Formal & Professional training
- Technical Collaboration
- Provision of Resource Persons
- Curriculum development
- Affiliation
RBDAs, ADPs, Private Farms
- Identify training needs
- Prepare annual training plans
- Finance trainings
- Provide logistics support
- Monitor and report progress

10. Manpower Dev. & Training ... Bashir, Ndahi and Ahmed 5 July 2001 10