Project News

FRGII project has conducted 6 second-step FRG approach trainings and 8 basic FRG approach trainings between August 2012 and February 2013.

The second step trainings were hosted by Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Centre, Melkassa Agricultural Research Centre, Bahir Dar University, Hawassa University, and Mekelle University for Group B participants (148 Male and 4 Female) from 56 different universities and Federal/ Regional agricultural research centers between September and November 2012. Based on the discussion they had during the Basic training in 2012, the participants reviewed what they have done and what challenges they faced, then discussed what they can actually do to manage such challenges.

The basic training for Group C was conducted between December 2012 to February 2013 with 187 (168 Male and 19 Female) participants from 72 different universities and agricultural research centers at the above 6 locations and Werer ARC. Adami Tulu ARC and Bahir Dar University hosted 2 groups of participants. The training focused on the introduction to the FRG research approach, field visit to FRG farmers, and group exercise to develop FRG research proposals followed by discussion.

Having discussions during the trainings was common in the past which was expected to bring about actions. However, there were no changes in the actual research activities, with discussions ending "the way they should be". For example, everybody agrees on the importance of gender consideration and facilitating female farmers' participation in the process of most agricultural technology developments. But in reality, few researchers practice it expressing difficulties coming from different cultural and religious background.

Thus, in the FRG trainings for the researchers, we try not to end up with the discussion in the training hall, but try to bring the changes in the researchers' action in the field by discussing what we can actually do and how to cope with the challenges.