# Training impact and knowledge gaps > Training impact is the measurable change that a training programme produces in participants' knowledge, practices and outcomes, such as yields or income, compared with a baseline or control. A knowledge gap is the difference between what farmers know and what a practice requires, identified before training. Also known as: knowledge gap, training effectiveness, learning outcomes, adoption rate ## Why does it matter? Companies, governments and donors invest heavily in farmer training on [good agricultural practices](/glossary/good-agricultural-practices/), compliance and social topics. Reports often stop at attendance. Without measuring whether knowledge and practice changed, programmes cannot improve, and claims to funders or in sustainability reports are weak. ## How does it work? A simple impact loop: 1. **Identify knowledge gaps** with a baseline quiz or [survey](/glossary/farmer-survey/). 2. **Train** on the topics where gaps are largest, adapted to local context. 3. **Test** understanding with short quizzes after training. 4. **Observe adoption** of practices on farms after a season. 5. **Measure outcomes** such as yields, quality or income, against a baseline or comparison group. 6. **Adjust** content and delivery. Kirkpatrick's four levels (reaction, learning, behaviour, results) are a common framework for structuring this. ## Common pitfalls - Measuring satisfaction instead of learning. - Quizzes so easy that everyone passes. - No baseline, so change cannot be shown. - Attributing yield changes to training when weather or prices changed. Farmer1st links quizzes, surveys and advisory data in one loop (survey, training, quiz, measurement) through its [training and quizzes](/services/training-quizzes/) service. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the difference between outputs and impact? Outputs count activities, such as sessions held or farmers trained. Impact measures change: knowledge gained, practices adopted and outcomes improved, ideally attributable to the training. ### How can knowledge gaps be identified? Through short pre-training quizzes, surveys, field observations and analysis of questions farmers ask advisory services. Gaps should be measured per topic, so training focuses where it is needed. ## Sources - [FAO Committee on Agriculture, Development of a Framework for Good Agricultural Practices](https://www.fao.org/4/y8704e/y8704e.htm) - [IFAD, International Fund for Agricultural Development](https://www.ifad.org/en/)