Integrated systems for small farmers : farming systems research and extension

The project will focus on solving immediate FSR/E project and management problems and on strengthening FSR/E institutions and will be implemented jointly by the Bureau for Science and Technology"s Offices of Agriculture and of Rural Development and Development Administration. The project will accomplish the following major activities. (1) At the request of and with the collaboration of Missions, technical assistance will be provided to design, implement, and evaluate FSR/E projects and to develop a worldwide roster of FSR/E practitioners. (2) Field recommendations based on technical assistance in specific areas and on applied research will be published and disseminated to Missions, LDC agencies, and FSR/E practitioners. (3) Twelve courses will be conducted on specific FSR/E methodologies for LDC field practitioners, and 12 other courses in FSR/E principles and methods will be conducted for policymakers, administrators, and educators. (4) Seven regional networks of FSR/E practitioners will be established. (5) A workshop will be conducted annually in each region on a theme and in a location determined by FSR/E practioners in that area. (6) A quarterly newsletter reporting insights gained during the project"s technical assistance activities, evaluations, and regional workshops, will be published. (7) An annotated bibliography will be published and distributed annually. (8) A centralized documentation center containing pertinent FSR/E materials will be established within A.I.D."s Office of Development Information and Utilization and will provide copies of non-copyrighted works both during and after the project. Acting under a project leader, two coordinators, one for technical assistance and one for training and networking, will implement activities, which are premised on collaboration and cost-sharing by Missions, LDC"s, and FSR/E practitioners.