The past decade has seen an increase in farmer -to-farmer extension approaches. This is due in part, to a decline in public sector extension services in developing countries. A key challenge with these approaches is whether farmer trainers can disseminate agricultural innovations. A study was undertaken to understand the effectiveness of using volunteer farmer trainers (VFTs) to disseminate livestock feed technologies. Analysis was drawn from the East Africa Dairy Development (EADD) Project whose aim is to double the income of dairy farmers through improved production and marketing. Policy recommendations from the study show that volunteer farmer trainers are able to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of farmer advisory services. Linking volunteer farmer trainers with government extension services would ensure that they receive technical support and are up to date on current developments and innovations.
Publication year
2012
Authors
Kiptot. E.; Franzel, S.; Kirui J W
Language
English
Geographic
Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda
