The main aim of the SAFE programme is to produce graduates
with the requisite human relations, methodological
and technical skills that can solve farmers’
problems. Emphasis is therefore placed on experiential
learning; i.e. the combination of theory, experience,
critical reflection and practice. One of the innovative
aspects of the Mid-Career Agriculture Extension Diploma
and BSc Program at SAFE program participating universities/colleges
is the component that students plan and execute independent
field-based projects called the Supervised Enterprise
Projects (SEPs) as a requirement for the completion
of their study. The principal objective of SEPs is
to narrow the gap between theory and practice. The
SEPs are, thus, designed to immerse students in valuable
farmer-focused, experience-based learning activities;
reduce the discrepancy between training and the tasks
the extension staff perform in their real work environment;
and avoid the traditional tendency of making the training
too theoretical. The essence of SEPs is to develop
the students’ ability to identify problems and
explore practical ways to correct them. SEPs are organized
in two phases. During the first phase, which takes
place at the end of the first year study (After one
academic year of coursework on-campus), each student
goes back to their work areas to conduct an assessment
of farmers’ extension needs from which each
student develops an extension project proposal to
address those needs. This is performed with the assistance
farmers, employers and lecturers (supervisors). Each
project includes an extension research component.
The second phase takes place after the completion
of three semesters of study on campus. During the
second phase, students return to their respective
work areas to implement their projects independently
over a period of six to nine months.
In General, SEPs are believed to have contributed
to the enhancement of indigenous research (applied
and adaptive) capability. The off-campus
SEP reports are also believed to be valuable sources
of information for national and international organizations
involved in agricultural development work of countries.
