Open Access

This study focused on the training of scientists who work in public, private, or non-governmental sectors in the areas of agronomy and sustainable management of natural resources. Of the 82 trainees who participated in CIMMYT CA training courses between 1996 and 2006, 80 were men and 2 women. Course participants were usually selected by NARS leaders and through CIMMYT regional offices in cooperation with NARS leaders. Not all trainees were reached by the survey due to change of their contact details. Out of 67 distributed surveys to reachable course participants, we received 42 responses (63% response rate) and for surveys to research leaders – out of distributed 41 surveys we received 19 responses (46% response rate). Course participants came to CIMMYT to strengthen their skills and knowledge and were actively involved in the CIMMYT’s ongoing cropping systems management activities at the experimental stations near Mexico City or at Ciudad Obregón. A main goal of the course was that participants return to their institutions and incorporate their new skills and knowledge into their work, become more open-minded, in terms of the multidisciplinary aspects of CA, and extend new technologies to farmers. Formal training activities linked to long-term trials in the fi eld of conservation agriculture (CA) are, according to 45% of course participants and 37% of research leaders, available only through CIMMYT. The level of training was mostly evaluated as very satisfactory, with participants stating that they used the support materials distributed during the course in their work. The biggest constraint to applying CA information in the home institutions of participants was a lack of suitable CA machinery and equipment; research leaders instead reported a lack of financial resources as the main constraint. The course helped in creating a scientific network; almost half the respondents are communicating with their instructors and fellow trainees at least twice a year. More than half the respondents and 74% of their corresponding organizations are currently collaborating with CIMMYT. Almost all respondents evaluated their level of confidence to perform their job as “higher” after the CIMMYT course and were able to describe tangibly how their methodologies and skills improved. Responses show that there is a perceptible increase in motivation to do more hands-on work in the field or in the laboratory after attending the course and to increase supervisory responsibilities. Almost half the respondents were promoted, with CIMMYT training believed to be a contributing factor in achieving these promotions. All respondents considered the course relevant. Both trainees and research leaders state that participation in the course helped them to conduct new and diverse research. Generally, the training was considered a good investment for the trainees’ organizations. Research leaders report improved staff morale, increased interest in hands-on work, more communication with international scientists, and increased knowledge and skills on CA and sustainable management of natural resources. Dissemination of the knowledge presented in the course has been documented both within and outside of the participants’ institutions. The main recipients of this knowledge have been thousands of farmers and hundreds of extension workers and researchers. In this way, the CIMMYT training helped the trainees´ organization improve agricultural practices and spread them on a mass scale to local farmers.

Research and Partnership Program

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CIMMYT Publications Collection

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