Farmer to Farmer Capacity Strengthening Resources
In an effort to expand the reach of the Farmer to Farmer program in improving the economic status and wellbeing of individuals and communities living in the countries we serve, we are providing agriculturally related training materials and other capacity strengthening resources that can be used by both volunteers preparing for future assignments and Host Country Organizations that want access to the information for their constituents. Many of these resources were co-developed by CRS and volunteers on past assignments.
Please begin your search for resources by clicking on the topics below. You can find additional information at the Farmer to Farmer Digital Library.
Topics
* AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
* AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY
* BUSINESS OF FARMING
* FIELD CROP PRODUCTION
* HORTICULTURE
* LIVESTOCK, FISHERIES, AND POULTRY
* NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
* NUTRITION AND FOOD SAFETY
About Farmer to Farmer
CRS’ Farmer to Farmer Program has implemented a new five-year program to promote sustainable economic growth, food security and agricultural development in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania. CRS’ Farmer-to-Farmer program sends U.S. volunteers with agricultural expertise to share skills and help build capacity for African farmers through short-term training and technical assistance projects.
Volunteer technical assistance from U.S. farmers, educators, agribusinesses, cooperatives, and universities helps developing countries improve productivity, access new markets, and conserve environmental and natural resources.
Farmer-to-Farmer volunteers work with farmers, producer groups, rural businesses, and service providers to develop the local capacity necessary to increase food production and rural incomes, expand economic growth, and address environmental and natural resource management challenges.
This people-to-people exchange promotes international goodwill, understanding of U.S. foreign assistance programs, and private involvement in development activities.
Mission
At the heart of the Farmer to Farmer Program is the issue of sustainable agriculture. We are in the business of connecting volunteers knowledgeable in a particular area of agriculture with Farmers, Cooperatives, and other Developing Businesses to address challenges being experienced that would keep those affected from experiencing growth and true prosperity.
Sustainable agriculture is defined as:
An integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long-term— (A) satisfy human food and fiber needs; (B) enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends; (C) make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls; (D) sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and (E) enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
Source
"Agricultural research, extension, and teaching," Title 7 U.S. Code, Ch. 64. 2011 ed.
Program Reach
As a new implementer of the 28-year-old Farmer to Farmer Program, CRS will send US volunteers to almost 500 project assignments over the 5-year life of the project, to increase the productivity and marketing of key priority value chains, including livestock and grains, in line with USAID’s Feed the Future initiative.
The program will benefit at least 350 host organizations, and train over 19,000 people, more than half of whom will be women. CRS has been in east Africa since 1965 and sees women as a growth engine for agriculture in the region. The Farmer to Farmer Program works to maximize its impact through clustering assignments to build geographic capacity or through multiple assignments addressing different disciplines to provide comprehensive technical assistance as needed.