Training Through Local Partnerships
CropLife International has developed a training model for agricultural education and training in rural farming communities.
In 2009, CropLife International, CropLife Asia and CropLife India partnered with two local organisations in the Adoni region of Andhra Pradesh, India, to provide training on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), responsible use and the secure storage of crop protection products.
Click toWatch the Short DocumentaryThe project reached 128,000 farm families over a six year period.
ExploreAdoni
Located in Southern India, the Adoni region of Andhra Pradesh is home to almost 500,000 people. Many families throughout the region depend heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods, primarily growing cotton, rice and chilli’s in over 140 different villages. With crop protection products being used on most farms in Adoni, training on responsible use helps farmers to realise the benefits of crop protection products, while minimising any risks to themselves, their families or the environment.
Paul Raja Rao (BIRDS)
Click for a quote from Paul Raja RaoThe training has brought many benefits to Adoni. Farmers are retaining what they have learned years after training, and sharing information with others. Ultimately, we're seeing a more educated workforce that is farming responsibly and improving their livelihoods.
“The key is finding local partners who can adapt training programmes for local conditions, bring together skilled trainers, and deliver effective training to the community.”
Dr. Keith Jones (CropLife International)
Project Supporters
Click for more informationProvide the necessary expertise, experience and resources to develop and implement training programmes.
CropLife International, CropLife Asia and CropLife India worked to initiate the project in Adoni by identifying local organisations that could deliver the training and monitor results. CropLife International then provided expertise, experience and resources to implement and manage the training programmes. Additional financial support was provided by USAID (Global Development Alliance).
Local Implementers
Click for more informationAdapt programmes to local conditions and manage training activities.
In Adoni, CropLife International partnered with EFFORT, an organisation whose knowledge of agriculture in the region made them an ideal candidate for project implementation. CropLife International and EFFORT collaborated to develop and train a network of master trainers that educate and train farmers, families and communities throughout the region.
Master Trainers
Click for more informationEducate and train farmers and their families. Farm input suppliers also participate in training to learn and then share information with their customers.
In Adoni, master trainers deliver education and training to farmers, families and communities through a variety of different training methods.
Evaluators
Click for more informationMonitor and assess training programmes as an independent third party; looking to verify the effectiveness of training programmes.
In Adoni, BIRDS is an independent third party organisation responsible for monitoring and assessing the results of training programmes. Through pre and post training surveys, BIRDS is able to measure the effectiveness of different training methods; with the key indicator being a change in farmers' practices towards the safe, responsible and effective use of crop protection products.
In Adoni, master trainers utilise a variety of different methods to train farmers, families and communities. Training methods must be adapted to the region where they are being delivered.
Training for Farmers
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Click for more information on Farmer training groups
Master trainers meet with groups of 20-30 farmers in their villages to provide instruction in a classroom style setting. Farmers have the opportunity to listen and ask questions as the trainer works through a wide range of topics.
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Click for more information on Field Demonstrations
Master trainers provide practical demonstrations to small groups of male and female farmers in the field. Farmers have the opportunity to watch, participate and get hands on experience while learning about IPM and responsible use.
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Click for more information on Farmer to Farmer Training
Farmers are encouraged to pass on what they have learned to other farmers in the community. After receiving training, farmers share information with other farmers both verbally and through printed leaflets.
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Click for more information on Farmer clubs
After training is complete, farmers are encouraged to establish official clubs where they can meet to learn and share information, while developing plans to improve the community. These clubs also benefit farmers by providing access to important financial services.
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Training for Families
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Click for more information on House to house visits
Master trainers visit farm families in their homes to provide education and training that is relevant to the entire family. A major component of the visit includes showing the family how and where to securely store crop protection products.
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Click for more information on School programmes
As many children in the region are from farm families, master trainers visit schools to provide general information about safety on the farm. This includes what crop protection products look like, that they should only be handled by an adult, and where they should be stored.
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Training for Communities
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Click for more information on Village meetings
Village meetings provide an opportunity for the whole community to listen in and participate in farmer training groups, including those not directly involved in the training programmes.
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Click for more information on Cultural Shows
Cultural shows draw large crowds in village centres, where song and dance becomes a vehicle for delivering important messages to the community. This creative approach to training combines entertainment with education, allowing messages to resonate among people of all ages.
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Click for more information on Message Support
Informative posters and wall paintings are placed throughout villages to serve as reminders of what has been shared during farmer training groups, field demonstrations, house to house visits, village meetings and cultural shows.
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J. Bhanodaya (Master Trainer)
Click for a quote from J. BhanodayaProviding training that helps farmers and their families grow good crops, and be responsible on their farms, makes me very proud.
Stories
Testimonial
Crop Protection Retailer
N. Ashokananda Reddy
Results
Results in Adoni
Findings in Adoni have demonstrated that the training model is effective, and that local partnerships are vital to its successful implementation. The key measure of success for this model is farmer retention. Farmers have not only gained new knowledge and improved their practices, but are retaining and reinforcing what they have learned years after completing their training.
Retention is achieved by reaching farmers in the field, at home and during their leisure time so that messages resonate through their daily routines. Farmer to farmer training then empowers farmers to gain an even deeper understanding of the subject matter by becoming educators themselves. This continues over time, spreading messages through the community and increasing the numbers reached.
Findings in Adoni
- 90.3% of farmers could identify beneficial insects immediately after training, rising to 97% four years later. All farmers can identify crop pests.
- 97.4% of farmers understood the main components of responsible use (e.g. proper handling and storage of crop protection products) immediately after training, rising to 99.5% four years later.
- 93.2% of farmers were aware of the dangers of counterfeit pesticides (including how to recognize and avoid them) immediately after training, rising to 97% four years later.
- 89.7% of farmers disposed of their empty containers safely immediately after training, rising to 99.5% four years later.
Resources & Takeaways
Print Resources
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Project Booklet Download PDF
The project booklet is a printable document that includes all website content.
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Adoni Fact Sheet Download PDF
Videos
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Documentary Short Watch the Video Full Watch the Video
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Partnerships in Adoni Watch the Video
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Training for Farmers Watch the Video
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Training for Families Watch the Video
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Training for Communities Watch the Video
Case Studies + Testimonials
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Local Farmer Download PDF Watch the Video
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Farmer Club Leader Download PDF Watch the Video
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Female Master Trainer Download PDF Watch the Video
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Crop Protection Retailer Download PDF Watch the Video
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Project Manager Download PDF Watch the Video
Contact Us
For more information, including media enquiries and additional resources, please contact Robert Hunter at croplife@croplife.org.