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Manuals | June 30, 2022

Introduction to the SMART Skills for Rural Development

A SMART Skills Manual

English   |   Français   |   Español

Farmers in developing countries need a range of skills in order to improve their livelihoods. They need to get organized into groups, understand how to use their natural resources in a sustainable way, and market their produce profitably and effectively. They also need to manage their finances, save money and organize credit, all while identifying, testing and adopting innovations.

Together, these are Skills for Marketing and Rural Transformation (SMART Skills). They enable a group of farmers to make the most of their resources.

This manual introduces field agents, extension workers and program managers to the SMART Skills approach. The six lessons cover the following topics:

  • Using a skills-based approach
  • A closer look at the SMART Skills
  • Organizing the team
  • Working with the community
  • Ensuring sustainability
  • Building a training plan

Each lesson includes guidelines, exercises to do with team members or with a group of farmers, and quizzes to test your understanding.

This is one manual in a series on SMART Skills. Other manuals in this series cover individual skills in detail.

E-LEARNING VERSION OF THE CURRICULUM

    For CRS STAFF  

    For CRS implementing partners

    In the opening stages of a project, after CRS and partner staff have mastered the materials by reading the manuals or taking the e-learnings, it becomes time to take these lessons to farmers in the field with trainings and practical exercises. 

    SMART Skills for Rural Development

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