Four presenters shared examples of improved processes to enhance adoption of agricultural technologies by smallholders.
Mobile extension for empowering smallholder farmers
Dr. K. D. Kokate, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), Division of Agricultural Extension, Indian Council of Agriculture (ICAR) in India, showcased how the broad use of mobile phone has been used by ICAR to deliver new information and technologies to farmers in India. ICAR cooperates with nine telecommunication servers to facilitate information sharing on what farmers need. Dr. Kokate noted that this project provided many benefits to farmers.
For example, farmers can now communicate directly through text or voice massages with extensionists or experts. The project provides useful information in English, Marathi and Hindi language. The information covers disease diagnosis, seed availability, updates on commodity and market prices, farming techniques, weather forecasts, availability of fertilizers and many other issues. The success of this project lies in ICAR’s commitment to serve farmers by sending massages every Tuesday and Friday (two messages per farmer) and providing this service free of charge, without posing extra expenses on farmers.
Solar powered aeration technology transfer for fish farmers
A student from the Department of Engineering Physics, Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta in Indonesia – Mr. Agus Setiawan – shared his perspective on technology transfer for fish farmers, together with his professor – Dr. Ahmad Agus Setiawan. They stressed that successful technology transfer springs from good communication, which must be clear, honest and receptive. The higher the level of technology, the more intense communication is required with farmers. This particular project was conducted in the aquaculture centre in Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is based on collaboration between undergraduate students under the supervision of their lecturer, and an expert from the Student Community Services Programme (SCS).
The project disseminated solar powered aeration technology to fish farmers to help aeration in fish breeding and to assist future research projects on application of renewable energy. Local students assisted their community in project implementation as a way of bridging communication between academic, private and public institutions. They believe that their involvement can contribute to sustained relationships and collaboration among all stakeholders as an advantage in the future. The project received appreciation from participants as it empowers local students by involving them in technology transfer. It is a great opportunity to build students’ skills both in technical as well as communication aspects.
Decentralizing the farmer-to-farmer extension approach to the local level
Government extension services can sometimes be ineffective, inefficient and irrelevant for technology transfer, especially in remote areas. To address this issue, HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation working in Nepal showcased how farmers are trained to provide agricultural extension services to other farmers by decentralizing the farmer-to-farmer extension approach.
Mr. Shiva Kumar Shrestha, Senior Programme Officer, Sustainable Soil Management Programme, HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation presented the project and highlighted its success in empowering local farmers as extensionists. The farmer-to-farmer approach has proved to be cost-effective in terms of service delivery mechanism, especially in remote areas. Ensuring transparency in planning and budgeting made this project get local support.
To conclude, Mr. Kumar noted some remaining challenges in agricultural extension. These include: limited capacity of local officials to support farmers; elite and political influences of the village development committee that might lead to funds being allocated to other sectors, particularly to infrastructure; and a gap in ensuring pro-poor focus in policies relating to agricultural extension and decentralization policy.
Indigenous knowledge system and organic technologies: farmers’ access to community technology learning in the Philipines
Dr. Gina Villegas-Pangga, lecturer from the Farming System and Soil Resource Institute, Agricultural System Cluster, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines Los Banos, Philippines talked about indigenous agricultural practices in lowland and upland Filipino communities that have never been recognized and are being replaced by modern technologies.
“Local or Indigenous Knowledge is the knowledge belonging to a specific community or local group and that the people in a given community have developed over time, and still continue to develop,” said Dr. Villegas-Pangga.
Dr. Villegas-Pangga’s project was conducted to document the existing farmers‘ farming practices and technologies that are environment-friendly, economically viable and that promotes sustainable agriculture. It aimed to increase the capacity of farmers, organic practitioners and other stakeholders in solving issues related to soil productivity and to enhance farmers’ responsiveness on the weakening balance of the agro-ecosystem due to intensive agriculture.
One example of an indigenous practice is the use of synthetic and natural materials such as banderitas (small flags) made from plastic or garments of different colors, sizes and shapes. These are attached to a long rope or plastic twine and placed across rice fields. The noise and movement created by the banderitas, as the wind passes through them, frightens birds and prevents them from feeding on maturing rice grains.
The project concluded that majority of the Filipino farmers in the region were encouraged to adopt and adapt farming practices and technologies if their efforts lead to an immediate economic yield. Some farmers are already getting organic labels from institutions such as the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP).
Alfi Inayati, Indonesian Legumes and Tuber Crops Research Institute (ILETRI), alfi_inayati@yahoo.com
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