The RURALINVEST training program to promote rural investment reinforced

Ronald Meza
Rural Development Specialist, RUTA, Costa Rica

Convinced of the importance of building capacities in countries to formulate and evaluate small rural investment projects, RUTA and IFAD and have signed letters of understanding with institutions in each Central American country to implement a RURALINVEST training program (2004-2007).

RURALINVEST is a tool designed by FAO with RUTA participation, which facilitates formulation and evaluation of small rural investments.  The objective is for this tool to be disseminated and used by poor, rural populations through capacity building within their own organizations or regional learning centers.

Agencies that have signed letters of understanding with RUTA to implement the training in each country are:

The RURALINVEST Training Program (2004-2007 Phase) kicked off in May 2005 with a Regional “Train the Trainer” Course, held in Costa Rica and hosted by RUTA. Since then, nearly 30 courses have been developed in different countries--one training course in each, and several repetitions in each one.  In Guatemala, for example, 16 courses have been held for private businesses in the services sector, individual consultants, the Agricultural Ministry staff and ministry projects.

In Honduras four courses have been given in the “Learn by doing” program at the El Zamorano Pan-American Agricultural School. And, in El Salvador a course was held at the Central American Technological Institute, to train the Agribusiness Reconversion Program implemented by the agriculture ministry and the Agriculture and Livestock Chamber (CAMAGRO), among others.

Similarly, a course was held in Somoto, Nicaragua, with the support of CATIE.  In addition, RURALINVEST will be used as a primary tool in the integral course on Formulation and Analysis offered by CATIE in its curriculum.

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