The Biovision Farmer Communication Programme

David AmudaviCoordinator, Biovision Farmer Communication

Programme, Nairobi, Kenya

Integrating Innovative and Interactive Methodologies in Popular Extension

Approaches in Africa

The Farmer Communication Programme (FCP) was initiated in 2010

with the support of the International Centre of Insect Physiology

& Ecology (icipe) and Biovision Foundation of Switzerland to

harness synergies among the various information projects

managed independently to ensure that knowledge, information

and findings are rolled out in a practicable format to farmers,

practitioners and other users.

Background

Goal: Improve the livelihoods of small scale farmers in Africa by systematic application of scientifically and experientially validated technologies and practices.

Vision: Sustained and productive smallholder agriculture of the highest quality in terms of enhanced food production, nutrition, incomes, as well as sustainability.

Mission: Advance and improve access to information on sustainable agriculture through innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life.

Goal, Vision and Mission of FCP

1. Enhance synergy among the information communications projects and link them to other information providers.

2. Create centres of excellence in rural information and knowledge services linked to livelihood improvement R&D programmes/projects.

3. Support building of technical capacity of information change agents in R&D programmes/projects.

4. Engage strategic partners to scale up access to and utilization of information on appropriate innovations in various sectors of sustainable agriculture.

Objectives of the FCP

Theory of Change

InformationDeficient &

underperforming Farming System

FarmerCommunication Programme

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

Productive and Sustainable Farming

System

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

Efficient information delivery infrastructure

Enhanced access to inputs & outputs markets

STRATEGIC R&D PARTNERS

-

Higher yields Higher incomes Improved and

stable food security Improved nutrition Stable environment Improved welfare

Projects:

1.Infonet-Biovision platform

2.TOF Magazine and Mkulima Mbunifu (TOF Tanzania)

3.TOF Radio and social media/sms answering service

4.Outreach Communication and Awareness

5.Developent and Advocacy

FCP Innovations for Information Communication

FCP ProjectsA) Infonet-Biovision platform

Infonet - an internet-based information platform

An online resource and

with an offline system built with the aid of experts from reputable national and international research organizations.

The platform contains detail on PLANT, HUMAN, ANIMAL and ENVIRONMENT HEALTH. For example, it covers more than 40 crops and a range of issues such as environmental management, malaria control, and nutritional illnesses

The applications offer trainers, extension workers and farmers quick access to up-to-date and locally relevant information.

B) Print: The Organic Farmer (TOF) The magazine is produced every month and distributed to a readership of over 200,000 receiving concrete guidance and practical tips on how to use simple, cost-effective and environmentally friendly practices.

C) Radio: TOF Radio A weekly radio show in

Swahili treating relevant topics in coordination with TOF Magazines.

TOF Radio is received in Kenya and Tanzania and has up to 5 million listeners.

FCP Projects – Cont’d

Farmer Resource Centers/ i-TOFs:

Community-anchored and run information service

Equipped with computers and laptops (OLPC) that use solar panels – to overcome problems of ICT infrastructure landscape 

Facilitate processes of learning and acquiring technical knowledge on certain agricultural practices as well as business management skills

Provide entry points for farm-to-market-chain-links (FMCL) –  ICTs in the centre could be used in the short to mid term in improving access to markets.

Such centres could easily graduate to offer services such as fax, internet, typing, printing, scanning, and they are information centres, more like a research library. 

Through this market-farmer-extension service interaction, high yielding input and innovative practices can be communicated to farmers, and major agricultural markets can inform farmers on required product specifications.

Farmer Resource Centre in KARI Katumani, Machakos

Participatory media development and multimedia, video communication in the establishment of rural-to-rural communication flows, networks and hubs for innovation

uTube: Infonetbiovision folder:Several videos in Kikamba and English languages

One video documenting the example of one successful farmer using drip irrigation in her fruit farm that has resulted in contacts from US and Switzerland offering support and markets for passion fruit.

Katoloni CBO is following up to connect more farmers to the same export opportunity.

Community/participatory Video

Issues we lobby and advocate for:

Millennium development goals

A world free from Hunger and poverty

Promote the 4 ICIPE Health pillars

Changing coutse in global agriculture

Reversal of Global warming

Healthy food and nutrition security for all

Respect for biodiversity

Development and Advocacy

Why Organic and sustainable?

* CommunityInformation workers (CIWs)

Using OLPC Computers and Studying togetherWith farmers

Infonet approaches for outreach 1

CIWs managed by Katoloni Mission CBO collaborating with KARI Katumani

Infonet approaches for outreach 2

Katoloni mission CBO increased membership from 70 groups in 2010 to almost 300 groups in 2012 due to services rendered to the community – bridging the gap between Research and Application.

Resource CentreIn KARI Kakamega,Western Kenya

Community based organization:SINGI CBO – Busia, Kenya.

Support: 1 OLPC computer with content loaded. Later worked with cd only, No other support. Increased membership from 25

groups in 2010 to 35 groups in 2012 including 6 youth groups. Through EOA Initiative, one desktop computer and printer added

Farmer Groups: 2 Farmer Groups received an OLPC with uploaded content. Approach was unsuccessful due to internal group dynamics in both cases

Infonet approaches for outreach 3

Ministry of Agriculture Agricultural Information Resource Centre (AIRC)

Agriculture shows – providing space in their stands at the shows – a win-win situation.

Training Extension officers – giving out cd’s and promoting the use of them.

Networking – instrumental in getting many very good connections within MoA

Kilifi Kenya – one extension officer provided with OLPC computer – very interesting feed back

Infonet approaches for outreach 4

Through other partner organizations:Kenya National Federation of Agricultural

Producers (KENFAP) Kenya Agricltural Research Institute (KARI) Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) Kenya Network for Draught Animal

Technology (KENDAT) African Conservation Tillage network (ACT) Sustainet, Call center – KenCall

Infonet approaches for outreach 5

Kinangop 2012 in Central Kenya – 90% farmers in the area 40 years or below! – Most young people more or less IT compliant. They wanted a young person to be in charge of Information center.

Mbale – Western Kenya. Survey showed average soil pH about 3.5, with too many places as low as 3.0. –

Lacking affordable sources of Lime – only alternative to improve is going organic

New Information

Sustainability of FCP To achieve a sound and sustainable FCP, strategic

efforts and partnerships are needed in terms of:

1. Content development and quality control processes

2. Outreach activities to enhance farmers’ access to information and communication tools (e.g. Farmers’ resource centres, information hubs, call centres)

3. Technical capacity building in information processing, packaging and delivery

4. Resource mobilization of both technical and financial resources - advocacy, networking and multi-sectoral collaboration

Kinangop 2012 in Central Kenya – 90% farmers in the area 40 years or below! – Most young people more or less IT compliant. They wanted a young person to be in charge of Information center.

Mbale – Western Kenya. Survey showed average soil pH about 3.5, with too many places as low as 3.0. –

Lacking affordable sources of Lime – only alternative to improve is going organic

New Information

Great interest from users in accessing verified information directly or through CIWs

Shortages of points of contact (Computers accessible to farmers in rural areas) as well as basic training

Great potential for scaling up giving access to appropriate information – Hunger for new workable solutions to problems in rural areas

Conclusion

”Going Organic is like returning to Eden”Mary Wanjiru WaweruFarmer from Murang’a, Kenya, explaining about thebenefits of organic farming

Thanks for listening

www.infonet-biovison.org, www.organicfarmermagazine.orghttp://biovisionafricatrust.org

Farmer’s Statement