The effectiveness of the volunteer farmer trainer approach vis-à-vis other information sources in dissemination of livestock feed technologies in Uganda

Agricultural extension in developing countries has evolved from the traditional top-down approach to a more demand-driven farmer-centred approach. These changes have also led to improved involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and research institutions. Inadequacies displayed by the public extension in Uganda has led to the emergence of farmer-led extension delivery whose main mandate goes beyond technology transfer but also towards farmer-driven agricultural technologies and enhanced farmer capacities. One such approach is the use of farmer-to-farmer extension that targets farmers as the core instigators of change. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the volunteer farmer trainer (VFT) approach, a form of farmer-to-farmer extension promoted by the East Africa Dairy Development (EADD) project, in dissemination of livestock feed technologies and practices in comparison to other information sources. This was done through a survey of 11 producer organizations (POs) in Eastern and Central Uganda. The POs represented different feeding systems: intensive, characterized by small land size and few cattle mainly focused on zero grazing; extensive, characterized by free grazing and a larger number of cattle; and semi-intensive which has characteristics of both intensive and extensive feeding systems. In the study sites, most farmers accessed information on livestock feeds from PO extension assistants, followed by radio and VFTs. VFTs were found to be a preferred information source for female farmers both in male-headed and female-headed households. However, male farmers did not consider VFTs among the top three most preferred information sources. Male farmers often accessed information on feed technologies from PO extension assistants and radio, while female farmers accessed information from PO extension assistants and VFTs. Female heads of households accessed information from PO extension assistants followed by radio and VFTs while females in male-headed households accessed information from PO extension assistants followed by VFTs and National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS). Even though farmers interviewed were from POs, not all PO members sought information from PO extension assistants. The farmers interviewed in this study were all members of POs and, therefore, the results could be skewed towards POs extension assistants. In terms of information source preference, POs extension assistants were most preferred, followed by NGOs and NAADS. VFTs came in fourth. When comparing VFTs’ effectiveness and other most preferred information sources, VFTs were ranked second by male and female farmers. Effectiveness was measured with regard to accessibility, affordability, reliability and frequency of contact with farmers. PO extension assistants were ranked first while NAADS and NGOs were ranked third by male and female farmers.

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5716/WP17104.PDF

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