Fcp presentation
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The Biovision Farmer Communication Programme aims to improve smallholder farmer livelihoods in Africa by providing access to scientifically validated agricultural information. It establishes information hubs and uses various media like magazines, radio, and videos to disseminate information. The programme enhances collaboration between projects and builds capacity of extension agents. Its goal is sustained smallholder agriculture with improved yields, incomes, food security and welfare through an efficient information delivery system. The programme seeks to develop high-quality content and expand access to information through farmer resource centers and partnerships.
Fcp presentation
- 1. The Biovision Farmer Communication Programme Integrating Innovative and Interactive Methodologies in Popular Extension Approaches in Africa David Amudavi Coordinator, Biovision Farmer Communication Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
- 2. Background 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.
- 3. Goal, Vision and Mission of FCP 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.
- 4. Objectives of the 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.
- 5. Theory of Change Information Productive and Farmer Deficient & Sustainable Farming Communication Programme underperforming System Farming System - Enhanced access to information, findings, •Limited information about Higher yields knowledge on innovations technologies, practices, Higher incomes (technologies, practices, systems Improved and stable systems, etc) •Poor decision making food security Efficient information delivery •Low technology adoption Improved nutrition infrastructure •Low technology adaptation Stable environment Enhanced access to inputs & •Poor livelihoods Improved welfare outputs markets STRATEGIC R&D PARTNERS
- 6. FCP Innovations for Information Communication 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
- 7. FCP Projects A) 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.
- 8. FCP Projects – Cont’d 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.
- 9. 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 .
- 10. Farmer Resource Centre in KARI Katumani, Machakos
- 11. Community/participatory Video 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.
- 12. Development and Advocacy 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
- 13. Why Organic and sustainable?
- 14. Infonet approaches for outreach 1 * Community Information workers (CIWs) Using OLPC Computers and Studying together With farmers
- 15. Infonet approaches for outreach 2 ∗ CIWs managed by Katoloni Mission CBO collaborating with KARI Katumani 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 Resource Centre Research and In KARI Kakamega, Application. Western Kenya
- 16. Infonet approaches for outreach 3 ∗ 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
- 17. Infonet approaches for outreach 4 ∗ 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
- 18. Infonet approaches for outreach 5 ∗ 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
- 19. New Information ∗ 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
- 20. 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
- 21. New Information ∗ 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
- 22. Conclusion ∗ 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
- 23. Farmer’s Statement ”Going Organic is like returning to Eden” Mary Wanjiru Waweru Farmer from Murang’a, Kenya, explaining about the benefits of organic farming Thanks for listening www.infonet-biovison.org, www.organicfarmermagazine.org http://biovisionafricatrust.org