A study was made of the relationship between attendance by tribal peasant farmers and leaders at one-week courses in agricultural development held at Domboshawa Training Centre and subsequent changes in the Mtoko district of Rhodesia. The broad aim of the courses was to enable tribesmen to gain a better understanding of the causes of erosion due to lack of conservation farming. Six Headman areas received no training and no extension followup; three received training only; and three received training and followup. Followup extension work emphasized the introduction of new crops (cotton and sorghum) and improving the basic practices in existing crops. Although there are acknowledged weaknesses in the methods of sample selection and data collection, results suggest that the training courses played an important part in initiating increased mechanical conservation (contouring), improved agricultural practices (use of fertilizers), and problem-solving, reflected in group or community projects. The trend was much more definite in the three areas which received extension followup. (PT)