Understanding Natural Resources

July 01, 2022

Understanding Natural Resources

farmers working in field

Subject

A SMART Skills Manual

Small-scale farmers in developing countries depend heavily on their natural resources: water, soil and the broader ecosystem. They need to use these resources wisely so they can continue to produce crops and raise animals.

This SMART Skills manual shows how field agents, extension workers and program managers can help farmers understand natural resources and how natural resources affect farm production.

The nine lessons, available in English, Spanish, French and Arabic, cover the following topics:

  • Why are natural resources important?
  • The water cycle
  • Managing water
  • Watersheds and watershed management
  • Soil composition
  • Soil fertility and nutrients
  • Plant health
  • Life systems in nature (ecosystems)
  • Sustainable use of natural resources – bringing it all together

Each lesson include guidelines, field exercises to do with a group of farmers and quizzes to test your understanding. This is one manual in a series on SMART Skills—the skills that field agents need to help farmers in developing countries improve their livelihoods.

A companion manual describes how to help farmers manage these resources in a sustainable way.

Understanding Natural Resources: A SMART Skills Manual English PDF

Manual • 83 Pages

Download

Entendimiento de los recursos naturales: Guía para un enfoque de habilidades múltiples Spanish PDF

Manual • 83 Pages

Download

Comprendre les ressources naturelles French PDF

Manual • 83 Pages

Download

فهم الموارد الطبيعية Arabic PDF

Manual • 82 Pages

Download

Powerpoint

Understanding Natural Resources English PDF

Manual • 136 Pages

Download

E-Learning Versions of the Curriculum

For CRS Staff
Log into CRS Learns to take the e-courses in English, Spanish, and French.


For Staff of CRS Implementing Partners  
Register on CRS Learns ​to take the e-courses in English, Spanish, and French.

Field Exercises

Exercise 1. Natural Resources are Managed Together English DOCX

Lesson • 3 Pages

Download

Exercise 2. Viewing Soil Erosion In Runoff Water English DOCX

Lesson • 2 Pages

Download

Exercise 3. The Importance of Soil Cover English DOCX

Lesson • 2 Pages

Download

Exercise 4. Seek out a problem area in your local watershed English DOCX

Lesson • 8 Pages

Download

Exercise 5a. Counting soil animals English DOCX

Lesson • 3 Pages

Download

Exercise 5b. Measuring topsoil depth English DOCX

Lesson • 2 Pages

Download

Exercise 5c. Determining soil texture English DOCX

Lesson • 2 Pages

Download

Exercise 6. Using fertilizers English DOCX

2 Pages

Download

Exercise 7. Local plant health English DOCX

Lesson • 2 Pages

Download

Exercise 8. Introduction to food webs English DOCX

Lesson • 2 Pages

Download

Exercise 9a. Ecosystem services English DOCX

Lesson • 2 Pages

Download

Exercise 9b. Protecting natural resources – today and for the centuries ahead English DOCX

Lesson • 4 Pages

Download

Research & Publications

Related Resources

With a team of Communications staff around the world, we can provide real-time updates during emergencies and on a wide variety of current issues and events facing the developing world and the international community.

See all news arrow_right_alt
Smiling Student

Stay Informed

Get the latest CRS research & publications direct to your inbox.