CNEARC: training for rural development

The objective of the Centre National d' Etudes Agronomiques des Regions Chaudes (CNEARC) (France) (National centre for tropical agriculture studies) is to train scientists to be able to combine technical production skills with an understanding of economic, social and cultural aspects of rural development. Identification of the skills required, particularly as they relate to small scale farming, has been constantly refined since the Centre was opened in 1981. This has largely been achieved by analysing the cause of the setbacks experienced by many development projects in the past. CNEARC training tackles the problem of lack of knowledge about a specific farming situation by teaching students how to diagnose given physical and cultural environments. Careful attention to this diagnosis will reveal not only how farmers make use of their resources but also the level of farmer knowledge. And an understanding of the reasons guiding farmer practices will provide the basis for development. By relying principally on concepts and on systematic methods of approach, the training allows students to avoid the risk of making simplistic judgements based on isolated, single disciplinary analysis. A frequent cause of project failure is the tendency to concentrate on technical issues which favour the objectives of decisionmakers to the detriment of farmers. An awareness of this risk has led to greater importance being given during the training courses to the roles of the different players in the development process and to methods for ensuring true farmer participation in projects. The teaching methods at CNEARC make use of a number of external contacts, particularly from the world of research since the Centre is in the Agropolis complex in Montpellier, France. This openness provides students with an opportunity to make contact with the many partners with whom they will eventually be working, those responsible for development projects, professional organizations, agencies or financial institutions. Each year CNEARC welcomes approximately 200 students from Europe, Africa, SE Asia and Latin America. The majority of students already have some professional experience of rural development and international' cooperation, although a few come to CNEARC for initial training. Continuous training for scientists or technicians covers a broad range of subject areas of relevance to rural development. Some courses, for example the Masters course on extension and professional agricultural organizations, and the course for training trainers, carry diplomas. The CNEARC mission is to improve international development through training in devel oping countries. CNEARC 1001 avenue Agropolis BP 5098 34033 Montpellier cedex 01, FRANCE Tel: (33) 67 61 70 00 Fax: (33/ 67 41 02 32The objective of the Centre National d' Etudes Agronomiques des Regions Chaudes (CNEARC) (France) (National centre fortropical agriculture studies) is to train scientists to be able to combine technical production skills with an understanding..