(introduction...)

2 - 15 February 1992
IIRR, Silang, Cavite, Philippines

INTRODUCTION

The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) has produced three Technology Information Kits: the Bio-lntensive Approach to Small-Scale Household Food Production, Regenerative Agriculture and the Agroforestry Technology Information Kits. These kits are so simplified that a lay person can use the information.

The kits have been shared widely in the Philippines, especially with government agencies, e.g., the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). DENR requested IIRR to develop and produce an Agroforestry Technology Information Kit for the Department's 1,200 social forestry technicians for its nationwide Social Forestry Program.

The kits have also been extensively distributed outside the Philippines as part of IlRR's collaborative training with other agencies and development organizations.

In the same manner, IIRR and the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) highly value the idea of developing an Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture Technology Information Kit to help improve the quality of life of the millions of small-scale farmers. These kits are usually best produced by inviting resource persons to a workshop for presentation of their ideas. At the workshop, the ideas and concepts are reviewed and critiqued by fellow participants. Communication specialists and design staff assist in the layout and in graphic work. The materials are thus revised and reviewed again until all changes are acceptable. The kits are unique in that the contents are presented as single concept, practical ideas for immediate application and use. These are not conventional papers but technology information sheets. What is also unique about the process is that these materials are generated by bringing scientists, development workers and communication specialists to a workshop to jointly develop such materials.

OUTPUTS

The following outputs are expected at the end of the workshop:

1. 2,000 copies of the Farmer-Proven Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture Technology Information Kit (1,000 copies each for IIRR and ICLARM). The kit will be printed as a joint IIRR-ICLARM publication. Each agency will be responsible for subsequent reprinting. This kit will not be copyrighted to allow for reprinting and wider distribution of materials. However, all subsequent printings should carry the original credits.

2. Establishment of an informal exchange mechanism for sharing information on various aspects of Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture technologies.