Project News

In farmer group meetings and in training sessions, normally Project personnel take the role of facilitator. Since the beginning of the Project, we have been transferring the facilitation methods to the C/P through OJT. Recently, however, we held an intensive training session to deepen the C/P’s understanding in this area. The C/P in charge of participatory development and their assistants were the persons who participated in this seminar making a total of 5 participants

The seminar was held for 4 days (June 16-19) and was planned and implemented by Mr. Kajifusa, the expert in charge of participatory development. It included lectures and a practice session in the conference room. Later the participants could apply first hand what they learned in the seminar through the implementation and evaluation of the semiannual workshop.

In order to promote the independence of the groups, we anticipate that from this point forward group members will perform as facilitators in their own monthly meetings. For this reason, the adequate transfer of facilitation methods to the group members by the C/P is of utmost importance. We expect that this intensive training will contribute greatly to this process.

(Photo 1, left) Mr. Kajifusa, expert in participatory development, gives a presentation using slides.
(Photo 2, right) Mr. Kajifusa provides material for an exercise by participants.

(Photo 3, left) A view of the exercise.
(Photo 4, right) Reporting the results of the exercise.

(Photo 5, left) Discussion among participants.
(Photo 6, right) Practicing facilitation using simple educational material.

(Mr. Isao SAKAI, Chief Advisor / Rural Development)