You'll probably get various tidbits of advice, Meme. I can only tell you what I am doing. Others may not agree. I bought level 2 of Science/Technology as that increases the tech points. Other than that, have villagers do research at the table. I know it's frustrating. They seem to accumuate so slowly. I think I read in a post somewhere here to put the game speed on 1/2 and that will help increase your points.
Right now in one of my scenarios, I am close to getting enough points for level 3 farming, so my villagers can fish. The problem is that I cannot get any of my farmers to the point of Master Farmer. It takes a Master Farmer to fish for the first time and succeed. After that, any of your villagers, 14 and over, can fish as long as you train them to.
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Namaste,
Kristy