Couple training tool: Building Partnerships for shared decision making in agriculture and enterprise

Nchanji, E.; Nyamolo, V.; Ketema, D.; Lutomia, C.; Siri, B.N. (2026) Couple training tool: Building Partnerships for shared decision making in agriculture and enterprise. 24 p.

The Couple Training Tool: Building Partnerships for Shared Decision-Making in Agriculture and Enterprise is a participatory training manual designed to strengthen collaboration between spouses in smallholder farming and enterprise households. Developed by the Alliance of Bioversity International, CIAT, and partners, the tool addresses persistent gender inequalities in household decision-making, labour distribution, resource control, and communication—factors that directly influence agricultural productivity, enterprise performance, household well-being, and resilience. The manual provides a structured, practical approach for engaging married couples as joint decision-makers rather than individual beneficiaries. Its overarching goal is to promote equitable partnerships within households by improving communication, fostering shared responsibility, and enabling joint planning for agricultural and enterprise activities. The tool is intended for use by community facilitators, extension agents, NGO staff, and cooperative leaders working with rural and peri-urban households. The training is grounded in key principles of respect, neutrality, cultural sensitivity, confidentiality, and inclusive participation. It emphasises experiential and visual learning methods to ensure accessibility for both literate and non-literate participants. Activities are delivered through interactive sessions that use drawings, role-plays, scenario analysis, and group dialogue rather than lectures. The core training structure consists of six sessions delivered over one or two days, with follow-up visits to support behaviour change. Sessions guide couples through: (1) building trust and communication skills; (2) analysing household roles and time use; (3) practising shared decision-making; (4) examining equitable income and benefit sharing; (5) developing joint agricultural and enterprise plans; and (6) establishing commitments and monitoring mechanisms. Practical tools such as the Daily Activity Clock, Decision Wheel, Income Pie Chart, Technology Vision Journey, and Couple Business Canvas help couples visualise current practices and plan for change. Expected outcomes include improved spousal communication, more equitable labour sharing, increased joint decision-making, and stronger adoption of agricultural and enterprise innovations. Over time, the approach contributes to enhanced productivity, reduced household conflict, greater resilience to climate and economic shocks, and positive role modelling within communities. Overall, the manual offers a scalable, context-adaptable methodology for advancing gender-equitable household partnerships as a foundation for inclusive and sustainable agrifood system transformation.