Module 3 Agricultural Communications

Christopher Dzimadzi (Team Leader)

Blessings Chinsinga

Regson Chaweza

Patrick Kambewa

Objectives

Did the messages reach the recipients?

Did the messages have any impact?

Were there other channels of information?

Were there any problems with the leaflets?

Was the inclusion of HIV/AIDS leaflets acceptable and effective?

Did packs contain leaflets?

Pack with leaflets

(%)

Pack without leaflets

(%)

Don’t know

(%)

Men 76 20 4

Women 79 11 11

Condition of leaflet

Leaflet

received in good condition

(%)

Leaflet damaged

(%)

Men 70 30

Women 71 29

The message

SP Fertilizer: full bottle top Ridge spacing: 90cm Intercropping with

legume recommended Recommendation for

planting maize and beans on same day

Use of hybrid maize seed

No maize recycling recommended

TIP Fertilizer: half bottle

top Ridge spacing: 75cm Monocropping

recommended

No recommendation for simultaneous planting

Use of OPV Recycling of maize

seed recommended

Section 1: Agricultural leaflet

Section 2: Agricultural leaflet

Section 3: Agricultural leaflet

Section 4: Agricultural leaflet

Problems with the leaflet

LiteracyNumeracy

– Shapes and sizes

– Units of measurement

Conflict with traditional practices– 90cm vs 75 cm between ridges

Recommendations1. Deliver packs on time

2. Alert farmers on contents of packs:

Recommendations (Cont’d)

3. Describe fertilizer in terms of function or texture:

Basal = wokulitsa (for growth)

Urea = wobereketsa (for yield)

Basal = wachitowe (coarse texture)

Urea = washuga (fine like sugar)

4. Use of anthropometric illustrations:

Use of feet as units of measurement

Use of arm to represent yard

Use of knee to represent time for fertiliser application

Other sources of information

Field Assistants

Radio

Top radio programmes

Men and Women Zaulimi•Chitukuko m’Malawi•Zokomera alimi•Ulimi wa phindu

Boys Tinkanena (No. 2 for girls)

Girls Zimachitika

HIV/AIDS

Suggestions for leaflets• Pictures of people suffering from HIV/AIDS

• How to properly use a condom

• The advantages of abstinence

• Symptoms of HIV/AIDS sufferers

• How to take care of sufferers in a family

• Encourage testing for HIV/AIDS

• Encourage openness on HIV/AIDS discussions

• Condemnation of practice of chokolo

Module 3 team members!