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Bolivia is one of the countries most affected by climate change. Climate projections indicate that the temperature, amount and distribution of precipitation will change to the detriment of agriculture. The main warming effect affects the water cycle, so agriculture will be seriously affected as it is directly dependent on unreliable rainfall.

Since Bolivia's natural resources are not sustainably managed, the irrigation water is taken, stored, distributed and used inefficiently; agricultural productivity and profitability are insufficient and climate risks in agriculture are poorly managed; agricultural production and irrigation systems are very vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In small scale agricultural production, the performance of the means of production used typically covers only the expenses. There is not enough water available for agricultural production systems. In many river basins, water availability is declining.

The module aim of this technical cooperation project is: the resilience of small agricultural production systems to climate change impacts has been improved In the region of the program.

The intent it to carry out the following steps In order to achieve the objective of the module in the rural drylands of the four regions of Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, Potosi and Santa Cruz (program area):

• improve compliance with quality standards in public projects and coordination between different sectors through capacity building at all levels in sustainable agricultural development (Action Area 1);

• establish a functional system of education and training (Action Area 2);

• introduce technologies and innovation (Action Area 3); and

• improve agricultural products´ production, processing and marketing services of (Action Area 4).

In the water sector, the program is involved in a sectoral approach to collective funds to support the national policy for watershed management. The project is part of a program coordinated by the funders for agricultural research and advisory support. The project lasts for three years (07/2014 to 06/2017). In addition, the contract includes joint funding from the Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation (SIDA).

Services Provided

The project is responsible for implementing Action Area 2 “Professionals´ Quality and training systems" in TZ´s "Sustainable Agricultural Development in Bolivia (NLE)" (PROAGRO) project. In order to improve the training of professionals and ensure their availability to the public sector, it is important that the institutions of education and training work together and are adapted to the technical requirements of the water (irrigation), environment (watershed management) and agricultural sectors.

An inventory of needs will be developed Initially. This analysis of the inventory should include the following: (i) quality of existing training and new laws on education; (ii) number, capacity and quality of training courses and continuing education institutions; (iii) the quantity and quality of training courses and training programs offered to graduates; (iv) assessment of the current technical consultancy capacity in the field of water and agriculture; (v) evaluation of the need for technical, methodological and conceptual guidance in the sectors.

On this basis, selected educational institutions will be supported in order to provide targeted training. The training concept itself must include the following elements:

(a) curricula development with other education and training institutions based on local needs, in close consultation with the Ministry of Education,;

(b) modular training for agricultural consultants (methodological, conceptual and technical), technicians and professionals (graduates, masters and PhD degree programs);

(c) networks set-up at home and abroad (training and continuing education institutions);

(d) to anchor the system in sector programs (water and agriculture) and the law and the environment (policies, laws, etc).

Furthermore, in cooperation with partners, a limited number of qualified experts (78-85) from public institutions are trained in international educational institutions to ensure better interaction of Bolivian actors in the field of continuing education with training and continuing education institutions in Europe and Latin America. After studying abroad, these multipliers are committed to participate in a national program in order to take the knowledge acquired in the institution during a determined period of time.