The document summarizes ILRI's efforts to improve training on their Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) for smallholder farmers in Africa. ILRI developed FEAST to help assess local feed resources and optimize animal production, but found users struggled with applying it after traditional in-person training. ILRI's new learning development initiative aims to more effectively train partner staff through: 1) Redesigned classroom materials and online tutorials, 2) A focus on building research, computer, reporting, and project management skills, and 3) Evaluating the training's effectiveness in improving access to livestock feed. The goal is to measurably boost smallholder farmer productivity and incomes through better training.

1. 1
Leveraging instructional design and learning theories
to improve productivity in smallholder systems:
The FEAST experience
Iddo Dror, Head of Capacity Development, ILRI
International Conference on Integrated Systems Research
Ibadan, Nigeria, 3-5 March 2015

2. 2
The Problem – some context:
FEAST Learning Development:
• Hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers in Africa depend on livestock for their
livelihoods. Feed availability is currently a major constraint to increasing
livestock productivity in many countries.
• To help address this, ILRI scientists developed the Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST),
which is a systematic method to assess local feed resource availability and use.
FEAST helps in the design of intervention strategies that will optimize feed
utilization and animal production.
• ILRI has been developing this tool over the past six years. It has been tested and
tried in various sites across Africa and South Asia, using an on-site, classroom-
based training course for the staff of partner organizations seeking to adopt FEAST.
• However, even after completing the training course, some users continued to
struggle with the tool. Furthermore, delivering the training on-site in host countries
posed a considerable travel and logistical burden on ILRI’s staff, to the detriment of
other projects.

3. 3
Our solution: (whiteboard animation summary)
FEAST Learning Development:

4. 4
Strategic Objectives
FEAST Learning Development:
ILRI has launched a learning development initiative to help
the staff of our partner organizations:
• More effectively apply the Farmer-Centred Diagnosis
methodology to help smallholder farming communities
improve access to livestock feed
• Develop computer and data analysis skills to take full
advantage of the utilities in the Feed Assessment Tool
(FEAST)
• Write comprehensive, well-organized reports to clearly
communicate findings & recommendations
• Create project plans for seeing recommended livestock
feed interventions through to successful completion

5. 5
New learning offerings will include:
• Enhanced Classroom
Training
– Redesigned course materials
focused on skill development
– Hands-on activities
– Resources for instructors
• Online Tutorials
– Videos & e-learning activities,
available anywhere, any time
• New Forms & Job Aids
– For reference in the field
The Solution
FEAST Learning Development:

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For organizations applying
the FEAST Tool /
Methodology, we have
identified four key
competencies required for
success:
• Research Skills
• Computer Skills
• Report Writing Skills
• Project Management Skills
Learning Objectives
FEAST Learning Development:

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Class participants will learn to
collect better data by:
• Applying proven techniques
for leading productive focus
group discussions
• Developing interview skills
to gather more complete
data from farmers
• Using the interview /
discussion guides included
in the FEAST Tool
Research Skills
FEAST Learning Development:

8. 8
Participants will receive hands-
on practice using the FEAST
Data Template to:
• Track and analyze data
collected from farmers
• Calculate key metrics for
feed availability, animal
nutrition, farmer income &
economic factors
• Produce graphs to support
findings & recommendations
in reports
Computer & Data Analysis Skills
FEAST Learning Development:

9. 9
Course features activities to
help learners:
• Recognize good writing /
well-organized reports
• Present findings with
appropriate supporting data,
graphs, etc.
• Clearly explain
recommendations for
livestock feed interventions
and why they should work
in local context
Report Writing Skills
FEAST Learning Development:

10. 10
Participants will learn how to:
• Analyze costs, benefits and
risks of recommendations to
focus on interventions with
highest likelihood of success
• Draft actionable plans for
implementing recommended
livestock feed interventions
• Coordinate with local
stakeholders to secure
resources, implement plan,
measure impact
Project Management Skills
FEAST Learning Development:

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• Improve ILRI classroom
experience, help partners
conduct their own sessions
• Course built around field
exercise, hands-on activities
• Materials include presentation
slides, sample templates &
reports, stand-alone player
for eLearning activities (even
without Internet)
• Instructor guide provides
notes and sample script
Delivery: Classroom
FEAST Learning Development:

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By delivering courses in an
online version, we can:
• Expand audience without
increasing travel time / costs
for ILRI staff + partners
• Allow participants to learn at
their own pace, on their own
schedule
• Provide training exactly
when needed (i.e.,
immediately prior to start of
Farmer-Centred Diagnosis)
Delivery: Online
FEAST Learning Development:

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Redesigned Forms & Job Aids
FEAST Learning Development:
• Redesigned data collection forms to include tips for
facilitators, recommended follow-up questions and overview
of FEAST process for reference in the field

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Instructional Design enabled the project to:
• Revise and expand classroom instruction
• Adapt course for online delivery
• Develop hands-on classroom and eLearning activities
• Design new FEAST forms and reference guides
• Work carried out in partnership with Sonata Learning,
a firm specialized in learning development.
Instructional Design Matters!
FEAST Learning Development:

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Evaluation
FEAST Learning Development:
We plan to employ the following to help gauge the
effectiveness of the course:
• Pre- and post-assessment tests to compare immediate
improvement / retention
• Follow-up surveys / performance reviews to participants and
their supervisors
• Comparison of work products of course participants to those
from FCD’s carried out prior to initiative

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Conclusion
FEAST Learning Development:
By measurably improving our learning offerings to partner
organizations, we hope to measurably improve access to
livestock feed resources in the communities we serve.

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Online Resources Demo
FEAST Learning Development:
Review resources online.

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Placing Instructional Design in the broader CGIAR context:
FEAST Learning Development:
• Capacity development is recognized as a crucial and strategic
enabler in the journey from research outputs to development
outcomes.
• The CGIAR CapDev Framework takes a broad, holistic
approach, with nine elements defined, of which one on: “Design
and delivery of innovative learning materials and approaches”.
• This includes:
– Content development
– Adult learning theory and instructional design
– Harnessing technology for CapDev initiatives

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That’s all folks!
Thank you for your attention!
Questions?
For more info contact i.dror@cgiar.org
FEAST Learning Development:

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Discussion Question #1
Learning Development
Discuss the following question with one or more people seated
near you. Be ready to share your thoughts with the group:
• Which of the skill sets covered in the previous slides are
most needed in your organization?
• Are there any other skills not listed that you think would be
helpful to successful development and implement livestock
feed interventions?

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Discussion Question #2
Learning Development
Discuss the following question with one or more people seated
near you. Be ready to share your thoughts with the group:
• What other possible methods / metrics could ILRI use to
evaluate the success of the learning development initiative?
• How could ILRI and its partners ensure that necessary data
is collected to track effectiveness of program?

22. The presentation has a Creative Commons license. You are free to re-use or distribute this work, provided credit is
given to ILRI.
better lives through livestock
ilri.org