Proposed actions
The training model developed in the United States and embodied in the
Cooperative Extension Service provides one approach to designing meaningful
training programs - ones carefully structured to meet specific audiences.
Application of this model starts with the identification of a particular
audience and an assessment of its informational needs. A program is then
developed which targets these needs and matches the capabilities and resources
of the institutions involved. Once delivered the program's effectiveness
must be evaluated relative to the needs originally identified. Such an evaluation
forms the basis for a refinement of the program and/or the identification
of additional informational needs. It is very important to involve the farmer
in this iterative training process, but not just at the problem identification
and/or delivery stages. Farmers and practitioners need to be involved
throughout the training process as a two-way flow of information between
trainers and 'students' will assure the development of programs that meet
the needs of both - trainers to be educators and farmers to be sustainable
agriculturalists.
Training programs must include on-farm activities as well as demonstrations
at field stations in order to emphasize the real-world application of
agroforestry principles. This process can and should involve an applied