integrating innovative and interactive methodologies in popular extension approaches: the biovision...

Integra(ngInnova(veandInterac(veMethodologiesinPopularExtensionApproaches:TheBiovisionFarmerCommunica(onPrograminAfrica

DavidAmudaviProgrammeCoordinator,BiovisionFarmerCommunica(onProgramPresentedatTheWorldAgroforestryCentre,Nairobi,15March2011

CONTEXT a.  A mix of historical land use challenges, climate variability and ongoing climate

change has rendered livestock and crop produc;on systems too weak to preventwidespreadandenvironmentaldegrada;on,increasingpoverty,foodinsecurity,poornutri;onalfeedingprac;ces.

b.  Furtherpopula;ongrowthcon;nuestoincreaseunabated–Kenya’spopula;onhasreachedabout40million,supportedby23%oftheland’sarableland.

c.  Sustainableagriculture (SA) is important formee;ng local foodrequirementswhileprovidingprotec;onandsustainableuseoflocally‐availablenaturalresources.

d.  SA is par;cularly appropriate for the rural communi;es that are currently mostexposedtofoodshortages.

e.  Thereisneedtoboostagriculturalproduc;vityandaddvalueintheagri‐foodchainin sustainable ways that will reduce food insecurity and malnutri;on among thevulnerablehouseholdslivinginruralcommuni;es.

f.  Accesstoinforma;ononrelevanttechnologiesandprac;cesiscentral–Extensioniscri;caltothisprocess.

WhatisExtension?

 Advisoryservices‐toassistfarmerstomakedecisionsonsolvingproblems

 Extensioneduca(on‐educa(onalac(vitywhichseekstoteachpeoplehowtosolveproblemsbyprovidingandextendinginforma(on

 Technologytransfer‐ac(vitywhichfacilitatesthetransferofresearchresultsfor scien(sts by extension officers into agricultural knowledge and thenimplementa(onintousefulfarmprac(ces,inlocalcondi(ons

 Humanresourcemanagement‐ac;vityforcapacitybuilding

Extensioncanbeusedtodescribethebroadfunc;onofcommunica;onofinforma;onfromallrelevantsourcestoassistintheprocessofchangeandinnova;onindifferentfields(agriculture,health,coopera;ve,etc)includingpeople’scapacityandself‐sufficiencyinresolvingproblemsandmakingintegratedmanagementdecisions.

CommonElementsinDefini(onsofExtension

Extension:•  Isaninterven(on–playsfunc(on• Uses communica(on as instrument to inducechange

•  Canbeeffec(veonlythroughvoluntarychange•  Focusesontargetprocessesandoutcomes‐adultand con(nuing educa(on of men and womenproducers

• Deployed by any person or public or privateins(tu(on technically qualified in the subject ofextension

CommonElementsinDefini(onsofExtension

1.ExtensionasanInterven0on  It is a goal‐oriented, planned, programmed, and systema;cally designed,ac;vity Interveningintermsofformula;ngobjec;ves,designingandtes;ngstrategy,deployingresources,implemen;ngandevalua;ng.

2.Extensionusescommunica0onasinstrumenttoinducechange Communica;on instrument used in extension for inducing change; usessubsidiesorregula;ons; Communica;oninvolvestheuseofsymbols,packagesofmaTer/energywhichcanelicitmeaning.

3.Extensioncanbeeffec0veonlythroughvoluntarychange Effec;venessdependsonpeople’swillingnesstobepersuaded,ontheextentto which they see extension as serving their own interests and benefit –purposiveassistancetodecision‐makingandopinionforma;on. Thelogicofextensionrequiresthatoneseekstoinducevoluntarychange.

CommonElementsinDefini(onsofExtension‐cont’d

4.Extensionfocusesondifferenttargetprocessesandoutcomes At individual level – targets behaviours, aVtudes, knowledge,decision‐making,opinionforma;on,etc.; Atsocialorcollec;velevel‐adver;sing,poli;calagendas,publicity,advocacy,etc. Target processes – e.g. cheap and quality food for consumers,natureconserva;on,preven;nghealthhazards, reducingbirthrates,ensuringasustainableuseoftheenvironment,emancipa;on,greaterequity,energyconserva;on.

5.Extensionisdeployedbyanins0tu0on Extension requiresfinance, it is aprofessional ac;vity, and itmustbepaidfor. As an instrument extension is deployed by ins;tu;ons such asgovernmentins;tu;ons,voluntaryagencies,commercialcompanies,memberorganiza;ons/associa;ons.

Evolution of the Agricultural Extension Service The agricultural extension system in Kenya has evolved through various stages since colonial and post -independence eras.

A) Pre-Independence Period Extension Approaches

•  Mainly tailored towards settler and commercial farming systems.

•  Well packaged programs that combined extension services with credit and subsidized inputs.

•  However, the extension approach used for indigenous Africans, who were mainly engaged in subsistence farming and pastoralism, was coercive in nature and therefore not readily accepted.

b) Post Independence Period extension Approaches After independence, more persuasive and educational approaches and methods were adopted.

• Establishment of Farmer and Pastoralist Training Centres (FTCs & PTCs) in the 1960s and 1970s

• Integrated agricultural development (IAD) approach.

• Farming Systems (FS) and Training and Visit (T&V) approaches in the 1980s and 1990s .

• “Commodity specialised approach” used in the large export commodity sub-sector spearheaded by commodity boards and private companies

Generally, all the approaches were essentially top-down and lacked participation in articulating farmers’ demands.

c) Current Popular Extension Approaches

Lessons learnt from the previous approaches, have led to more participatory and demand-driven extension approaches in recent years.

These are intended to tap farmer participation and private sector contribution in providing extension services. Examples:

•  Focal Area Approach (FAA) – ( Use of common interest groups (CIGs)

•  Farmer Field Schools – Farmer to farmer extension

•  Commodity-based approach - Commercial enterprises

•  Multidisciplinary Mobile Extension Teams especially in ASAL areas

Whereas extension has emphasised on increasing production, it is now acknowledged that linking production with processing and marketing is a prerequisite in transforming agriculture from subsistence to commercial enterprise.

ExtensionReformPrinciplesandInterven(ons

o  Par(cipa(on

o  Gender‐sensi(vity

o  Client‐focus

o  Demand‐driven

o  Pluralism

o  Priva(za(on

o  Decentraliza(on

o  Loca(on‐ and purpose‐specific

o  Staffmo(va(on

o  Broadertechnicalmandateofextensioninlinewithglobaldevelopments

o  Developmentandapplica(onofinforma(oncommunica(ontechnology(ICT)tools

o  Monitoring,evalua(onandimpactassessment

o  Ins(tu(onallinkages

BiovisioninKenyaandEasternAfricaa.  BiovisionFounda(onforEcologicalDevelopment‐Bridgesthegapbetween

researchandtheapplica(onanddissemina(onofresearchresultsthroughenvironmentally sound,economically viableand technologically appropriateagriculturalmethodstoovercomehungerandpoverty,andalsosupportsco‐opera;on stakeholders in this process. Its strategic focus lies in thedissemina(on of natural and locally available solu;ons in the 4‐H areas,appliedandtaughtinmodelprojectsandoYenledbypartnerorganisa;ons.

b.  Biovision Ac(vi(es in Eastern Africa –Diversified efforts – malaria controland preven;on, Camel programme for climate change, Push‐pull strategiesfor soil fer;lity improvement and striga control, long‐term system control,IPMagainstfruitflies,Incomegenera;onac;vi;es,Biodiversityconserva;on&ecosystemservices,

c.   BiovisionAfricaTrust‐TheBVATwasestablishedbytheBiovisionFounda;onin 2009 to focus ondeveloping and suppor;ngprocesses that put into useinnova;ons that can lead to market‐led sustainable agriculture for welfareimprovement of resource poor small‐holder farmers in East Africa andbeyond.

Farmer Communication Programme (FCP)

Ini;ated in2010by icipeandBiovisionFounda;onto

address the synergies between the different

informa;on projects to ensure that knowledge,

informa;onandfindingsarerolledoutinaprac;cable

formattoreachfarmersandotherusers.

Goal,VisionandMissionofFCP

Goal:ImprovethelivelihoodsofsmallscalefarmersinAfrica by systema;c applica;on of scien;fically andexperien;allyvalidatedresearchandeduca;on.

Vision:Sustained and produc;ve smallholderagricultureofthehighestqualityintermsofenhancedfood produc;on, nutri;on, incomes, as well assustainability.

Mission:Advanceandimproveaccesstoinforma;onon sustainable agriculture through innova;ons thatimproveprofitability,stewardshipandqualityoflife.

Objec(vesoftheFCP

1.  Enhance synergy among the informa;oncommunica;ons projects and link them to otherinforma;onproviders.

2.  Create centres of excellence in rural informa;on andknowledge services linked to livelihood improvementR&Dprogrammes/projects.

3.  Support building of technical capacity of informa;onchangeagentsinR&Dprogrammes/projects.

4.  Engage strategic partners to scale up access to andu;liza;onofinforma;ononappropriateinnova;onsinvarioussectorsofsustainableagriculture.

FCP Theory of Change

Informa(onDeficient&

underperformingFarmingSystem

FarmerCommunica(onProgramme

• Limited information about technologies, practices, systems • Poor decision making • Low technology adoption • Low technology adaptation • Poor livelihoods

Produc(veandSustainableFarming

System

 Enhanced access to information, findings, knowledge on innovations (technologies, practices, systems, etc)

 Efficient information delivery infrastructure

 Enhanced access to inputs & outputs markets

 STRATEGICR&DPARTNERS

‐

 Higher yields  Higher incomes   Improved and stable

food security   Improved nutrition  Stable environment   Improved welfare

Innova(onsforInforma(onCommunica(onA)Infonet‐biovision(Infonet)‐aninternet‐basedinforma;onplaeorm

  Anonlineandalsoofflinesystembuiltwiththeaidofexpertsfromreputablena;onalandinterna;onalresearchorganiza;ons.

  Theapplica;onsoffertrainers,extensionworkersandfarmersquickaccesstoup‐to‐dateandlocallyrelevantinforma;on.

  TheplaeormcontainsdetailonPLANT,HUMAN,ANIMALandENVIRONMENTHEALTH.Forexample,itcoversmorethan40cropsandarangeofissuessuchasenvironmentalmanagement,malariacontrol,andnutri;onalillnesses.

  Theprogrammeenvisagestohavethewebsitelinkedtomarketapplica;onstoinform/update farmers on latest market condi;ons and the buyers (themarket)onwhatisavailable.

  ContributestooneoftheNa;onalAgriculturalSectorExtensionPolicy(NASEP)objec;ves of encouraging and strengthening use of informa;on andcommunica;ontechnology(ICT)inextensiondelivery.

Innova(onsforInforma(onCommunica(on

B)Print:TheOrganicFarmer(TOF) The magazine is produced every month anddistributed to a readership of over 200,000receiving concrete guidance and prac;cal ;ps onhow to use simple, cost‐effec;ve andenvironmentallyfriendlyprac;ces.

C)Radio:TOFRadio A weekly radio show in Swahili trea;ng relevanttopicsincoordina;onwithTOFMagazines.

 TOF Radio is received in Kenya and Tanzania andhasupto5millionlisteners.

Integra(ngandAdap(ngICTServices•  Farmerlearningresourcecenters/i‐TOFCentres:  Community‐anchoredandruninforma;onservice

  Equipped with computers and laptops (OLPC) that use solar panels – to overcomeproblemsofICTinfrastructurelandscape

  Facilitate processes of learning and acquiring technical knowledge on certainagriculturalprac;cesaswellasbusinessmanagementskills

  Provideentrypointsforfarm‐to‐market‐chain‐links(FMCL)– ICTsinthecentrecouldbeusedintheshorttomidterminimprovingaccesstomarkets.

  Such centres could easily graduate to offer services such as fax, internet, typing,prin;ng,scanning,andtheyareinforma;oncentres,morelikearesearchlibrary.

  Through this market‐farmer‐extension service interac;on, high yielding input andinnova;veprac;cescanbecommunicatedtofarmers,andmajoragriculturalmarketscaninformfarmersonrequiredproductspecifica;ons.

FarmersLearning&ResourceCentreinKARIKatumani

ExtensionOutreach

TrainingFarmersontheUseofDigitalInforma;onAccess

Integra(ngandAdap(ngICTServices–Cont’d

•  Interfacestomobilephonesandcallcentres–ASKTOF  Taking advantage of the provision of very affordable mobile phone

services that arewidespread, the FCPprogrammehasestablishedacall‐insystemforaddressingFAQs.

  Undertakes capacity building to other projects to use best availabletechnology (e.g. Safaricom) thereby scalingup its impactbeyond itsownreach

  Envisages to partners with others involved in enhancing markeraccess to link farmers to markets by providing informa;on onproduct/serviceprice,quan;ty,quality,andloca;on

•  ThroughpartnersCurrentlyseveraloutreachac;vi;es,usingInfonetasaninforma;onbase, take place through a range of different partners – NALEP,KENFAP,NGOs,CBOS,etc.

Technologiesinapplica(on

ProjectedIngredientsforFCPGrowth

ToachieveasoundandsustainableFCP,strategiceffortsandpartnershipswillbeneededintermsof:

1.  Contentdevelopmentandqualitycontrolprocesses–(SolidResearch)

2.  Outreachac;vi;estoenhancefarmers’accesstoinforma;onandcommunica;ontools(e.g.Farmers’resourcecentres,informa;onhubs,callcentres)–(StrongFarmerPar(cipa(on)

3.  Technicalcapacitybuildingininforma;onsourcing,packaginganddissemina;on–(CompetentChangeIntermediaries)

4.  Resourcemobiliza;onofbothtechnicalandfinancialresources‐advocacy,networkingandmul;‐sectoralcollabora;on–(CommidedSupportfromDonorsandPolicymakers)

Marke(ngandSustainabilityoftheFCPCont’d

Theprogrammewillbesupportedby:

1.  BiovisionFounda;onofSwitzerland2.  Icipe3.  BiovisionAfricaTrust4.  Founda;onsandIns;tu;ons5.  Research&DevelopmentIns;tu;ons6.  Memberdonors(individuals)7.  Backdonors

BiovisionAfricaTrust(BVAT)Objec(ves:

1. Fund sustainable projects and ini;a;ves in the agro sector thatfocusongenera;onanddissemina;onofinforma;ononecologicallysound and useful methods to improve human, animal, plant andenvironmentalhealth;

2. Undertake research into the special problems facing small‐holderfarmers in Kenya and other countries in Africa in order to provideusefulandprac;calsolu;onstherebyallevia;ngpoverty;

3. Undertakeeduca;onalprogramsamongstthetargetedsmall‐holdercommuni;es either individually or in partnershipwith other players(public,private,civilsociety);

4. Provide leverage(Grants,assistance,etc)tootherpubliccharitabletrustsorins;tu;onsestablishedforsimilarobjec;ves.

FCPNetworkingNa(onally,Regionally&Globally