School of farmer (Школа фермера)
Educational programme to train farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs
Description
School of Farmers (Школа фермера) is an educational project designed to provide training, mentoring and business development support to farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs in the Russian Federation. School of Farmers offers structured courses covering crop production, livestock management, agribusiness planning and financial literacy. The programme supports development of sustainable agricultural enterprises and contributes to strengthening rural livelihoods and farm productivity. The educational courses combine 150 hours of theory-focused discussions and 100 hours of practice, covering over 30 agricultural activities.
Technology
School of Farmers operates through a web-based platform that provides information about enrolment, training modules and regional programme implementation. The initiative combines online educational materials with in-person practical training delivered in cooperation with regional universities and agricultural institutions. The digital platform facilitates registration, dissemination of learning resources and coordination between participants and organizers.
Target
The programme targets beginning farmers, operating agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs seeking to improve technical skills and business competencies. Smallholder and medium-scale farm operators, as well as members of agricultural cooperatives or farm advisors are eligible to participate in the training programme.
Business model
School of Farmers is implemented with financial support from Russian Agricultural Bank in cooperation with regional authorities and educational institutions. Participation in the programme is provided free of charge for selected participants within the framework of the project.
Impact
According to information presented on the website, more than 6 000 participants have completed training across multiple regions of the Russian Federation since its launch in 2020. The programme has been implemented in over 60 regions, supporting the establishment and development of new agricultural enterprises and strengthening professional competencies among farmers nationwide.
Partners
Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation ; State Fund “Defenders of the Fatherland” ; Regional ministries of agriculture (e.g. Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Rostov Region) ; Don State Agrarian University ; Agricultural universities (regional partner universities) ; Association of Peasant Farms and Agricultural Cooperatives of Russia (AKKOR) ; Centers of Competence for Agricultural Cooperation and Farmer Support ; Russian Union of Rural Women
Four Betters
Better production
