Improving information and communication for smallholder farmers

Research Project

Project ID: ZC0205

Title	Improving information and communication for smallholder farmers
Species	Cattle, Goats, Oxen, Poultry
Commodity	Draft animal power, Meat, Eggs, Milk
Livestock Keeper Group	Crop livestock farmers, Smallholder milk producers, Smallstock keepers
Production System	High Potential
Country or Region	Kenya
Research Theme	Dissemination and Uptake
Research Approach	Applied Research
Funding Agency	DFID Livestock Production Programme

Summary

The purpose of the project is to develop and test pro-poor mechanisms of communication which will lead to improved information flows between farmers (horizontal links) and between farmers and researchers and extension agents (vertical links). The majority of farmers will be women who are less likely to have linkages with traditional extension services. Farmer to farmer dissemination practices developed will complement existing public and private sector services. In 2001 Kenya developed a new Extension Policy which embraces pluralism. In Ethiopia, a ‘package’ approach to extension has been recently adopted and is called the ‘Participatory Demonstration and Training Extension System (PADETES). The research will develop new mechanisms for farmer communication in line with the new Kenyan policy.

Primary Relevance	Low - High
Feeding and Nutrition
Animal Health
Commodities and Markets
Other Husbandry
Policy Relevance

Documents

	Timeline Analysis
	Gakumbo Timeline [an example of a timeline developed in the field by this project]

The research outputs will be derived using local knowledge and will build on existing communication channels and networks. Mutual learning and problem solving by farmers, NARS, government and development agents will be central to the process.

The research will contribute directly to the development of DFID’s knowledge and technology dissemination strategy. It will develop and test the use of new mechanisms for communication based on existing social organisations which will facilitate improved information exchange between farmers and between farmers, researchers and extension agents. In addition, the research will provide strategic and effective entry points for different kinds of research and development interventions.