A report of industrial training carried out at national coffee research institute (NaCoRI).

Abstract

Industrial training is a program organized by institutions of high education to link students to different firms and institutions. Students participates in field internships where they get opportunity to apply theory, concepts and techniques in real-life situations, this also strengthens partnerships with stakeholders. In Busitema University it takes a period of 10 weeks from May to July, to any firm or institution of one's interest. This was done by personally involving in learning, sharing and participating in programs undertaken from NaCORIie Coffee and Cocoa Variety Improvement and Management program, Coffee and Cocoa Plant Health Management Program, Coffee and Cocoa Value addition and Agribusiness Program, out of the three programs, I was majorly attached to CViMP. The program is aimed at development of improved varieties of coffee and cocoa by producing high yielding, disease resistant and highly quality varieties, it is also aimed at generating new technologies for managing soil fertility such as agronomy, intercropping and agro-forestry. In accordance to the time scheduled, I was theoretically and practically attached to coffee and cocoa agronomic practices such nursery bed management practices and activities such as potting, sand bed construction was practically done. Field establishment and management practices such as pruning, mulching, planting, post-harvest handling practices and value addition etc. were also do Due to the daily hands on the tools, practical skills were gained such as mixing pot rooting media, potting, pruning, proper nursery bed management skills, and above all techniques in real-life situations skills were gained such as working with different kinds of people, patience and obedience. Not only skills obtained, but also challenges as usual were encountered such as tiresomeness, disorganization, inadequate research facilities etc. Suitably IT program was conducted peacefully and successfully, however some recommendations are made to NaCORI such as early, timely confirmation and release of working contracts to enable smooth running of crop husbandry practices such as weeding programs. To carry out more socio-economic surveys to continuously evaluate the status of Ugandan coffee and cocoa and to have a workshop with national and international experts to discuss wilt disease with the aim of preparing a research on control and eradication of the disease from the two crops y they find adequate reward in value obtained from making us what we are now?