Training providers in capacity development for major land reforms and land policy implementation at country level

Abstract

A number of developing countries are in the process of developing and implementing land policies or major land reforms. A recent study in Kenya has demonstrated that training providers have a crucial and unique role in capacity development for successful implementation of major land reforms or implementation of land policies. Demands for training at country level for major land reforms are often more complex than those that are required for reforms in particular land sectors. Careful identification of training providers, targets for training, the mode and duration of training, training institutions and curricula offered by these institutions is imperative. Coordination and timely linkages between various landed professions, training providers and public and private institutions is also crucial in effective capacity development. The existing human capacity status and projected human capacity needs in the Land Sector were assessed by qualitative and quantitative methods to reveal the gap between the existing and the projected human capacity, particularly in terms of hard and soft skills. This capacity was then dissected further to reveal requirements for capacity development at different levels for various targets for training throughout the Land Sector at the Country level. Further study was then carried out to assess the existing capacity among Training Providers to effectively address capacity development needs that were identified in various sectors and levels. Findings from this study reveal that there is urgent need to address the capacity development ability and focus of these Training Providers during and after enactment of the Land Policies in a Country, and to develop their capacity so that they will, in turn, play their role effectively. It is expected that findings of this study will contribute to the ongoing discussion on human capacity development to support implementation of land policies or major land reforms at Country Level. __________________________