Training

It is a known fact that the changes in the climate have implications on the rain patterns, the soil and the type of crops. Therefore, developing new approaches is a fundamental part of Adapta Sertão. New technologies, production techniques and policies are necessary to handling the changes in the environment, economy and human resources that will be brought by the variations in the climate and its consequences. For this reason, the Adapta Sertão network develops training programs and forums that function as incubators where knowledge is spread through practice, stimulating learning by doing. Public managers, technicians and farmers have the opportunity to interact in a dynamic learning environment that promotes a creative and entrepreneurial spirit. The participants of the training programs are taken through the complete project life-cycle beginning with the identification of the implementation locations, evaluation of the water resources available, choice of irrigation and water pumping systems, purchase and installation of the systems, evaluation of the crops that will be grown, choice of the systems required for production, organic production and fertilization of the soil, plague control, through to the commercialisation of the products to market and micro-finance. Monitoring and observation of crops are an essential basis for learning and adjustments but they are not yet common practices in the region.

Adapta Sertão pays special attention to the crop monitoring systems which are of fundamental importance to empower farmers and make them self-sufficient. In new municipalities interested in promoting small scale agriculture, Adapta Sertão starts with the installation of incubators but only if the community shows a commitment to small scale farming and sustainable development. Each project is implemented through a set of theoretical and practical training modules for the farmers as well as to empower local technicians in the Adapta Sertão methodology.

The practical learning gained through the methodology adopted in the Adapta Sertão model is used as teaching material for the two groups involved in the training i) Managers and Technicians and ii) Farmers. The training of these two groups progresses at different levels. Each level consists of a training module specifically customised to the needs of the local partners. The training approaches that Adapta Sertão works with are described below: