Improving smallholder farmers' access to information for enhanced decision making in natural resource management: experiences from South Western Uganda

For more than 9 years the African Highlands Initiative (AHI) has been working in Kabale District, Uganda, on integrated natural resource management (INRM). During implementation of activities, it was learnt that farmers and their institutions lacked access to appropriate information necessary for applying methods and technologies to enhance productivity and ensure sustainable NRM. Access to information was hampered by limited communication services. Despite active involvement by farmers’ institutions in mobilizing and sharing information, it was felt that additional information sources could improve farmers’ livelihoods. The AHI-ACACIA project was designed to address this shortcoming. A road map to institutionalize information exchange between farmers and information providers was designed. The project involved key stakeholders including the NAADS Secretariat, IDRC (the donor) and the Community Wireless Resource Centre. A collective re-strategizing involved connectivity issues and renewal of research to align learning with some of the programmatic changes, to ensure that activities were closely aligned with the overall goal of improving farmers’ livelihoods through better access to information. The findings show that priority farmers’ information needs include market information (100%), post-harvest handling (98%), improved seed management (93%), natural resources management (bylaws, trenches, grasses; 71%), soil sample analysis using local indicators (63%), crop and animal pests and disease control (62%) and fertilizer management and application (55%). A total of 252 different information products of leaflets, pamphlets, booklets and poster were developed in both English and the local language (Rukiga) and disseminated to 6 village information centres (VICEs) and 2 telecentres. About 20% of the farmers preferred the brochure because it contained more detailed information and 30% preferred the booklet on post-harvest handling because it also contained more detailed information. Generally it was observed that the reading culture of farmers was very low because very few used the library at VICEs. Use of mobile phones to access information was found to differ from one parish to another. It was revealed that in general male farmers (59.3%) and female farmers (40.7%) use the phones; however, more female farmers (66.7%) request information on NRM and agriculture compared to male farmers (33.3%). Farmers were more excited about the phone than either the radio or paper products. Radio announcements did not seem to be of much help to the farmers; however, farmers preferred programmes rather than announcements. This calls for more needs assessment for information dissemination and flow for the betterment of the communities

---

• View source