IFOAM Training Manual for Organic Agriculture in the Tropics
The Training Manual was developed to improve the quality and the availability of didactic material on organic agriculture in tropical countries. It offers a resource basis for trainers with the idea of encouraging individual adaptation and further development of the material according to the needs. The Training Manual can be used as a guide and source book to implement training programmes. It will help develop the structure of a training course or workshop and provide material and ideas for its organization. The Manual can also serve as a handbook for those who want to get a more clear and complete idea on the basics of organic farmingThe Training Manual was developed to improve the quality and the availability of didactic material on organic agriculture in tropical countries. It offers a resource basis for trainers with the idea of encouraging individual adaptation and further development of the material according to the needs. The Training Manual can be used as a guide and source book to implement training programmes. It will help develop the structure of a training course or workshop and provide material and ideas for its organization. The Manual can also serve as a handbook for those who want to get a more clear and complete idea on the basics of organic farming
It is anticipated that the trainers and trainees already have some agricultural background and that the training activities will focus on aspects specifically relevant to organic agriculture. The Manual attempts to provide a comprehensive introduction to all relevant fields related to organic agriculture. However, it does not provide in-depth practical know-how for organic management of specific crops or animals.
Target Groups: The Training Manual addresses trainers and resource persons who are engaged in training activities on organic agriculture. It can be used to facilitate trainings for trainers and extension workers, but also directly for farmers interested in learning about organic agriculture. The main focus is on crop production, although animal husbandry is covered in one chapter. Trainings on organic agriculture can address a wide range of participants. For some of them the knowledge provided in the Manual will be too basic and the trainers will have to consult the recommended readings to get more detailed in-formation and knowledge. For others the provided topics and ideas are already too scientific or the language too complicated, such that trainers may need to simplify the theory and use local examples for illustration.
