REAL Education

REAL (Rural Ecological Agriculture for Livelihoods) Education is an integrated learning process in which participant-learners actively explore and document agricultural environments and ecosystems in order to gain an understanding of ecology and develop critical thinking skills with respect to environmental, health, and social issues. This movement is closely associated with the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs supported by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The REAL education model is currently being applied with farmers through Farmer Field Schools as well as with students in formal and non-formal education systems.

REAL Education has the following objectives:

•     • To create awareness of the importance of Agrobiodiversity
•     • To promote conservation and sustainability
•     • To reduce the use of toxic pesticides through the application of Ecological Agriculture practices

REAL programs were implemented in over 400 schools and communities in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

 

Funders: Field Alliance, KemI Sweden/SIDA

Duration: 2007–2018