Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been used in the development sector for a substantial amount of time. ICTs have got mainstreamed as a tool to achieve development goals, including in the Sustainable Development goals. In the agriculture sector, extension services have been the primary way for farmers to receive information about agriculture technologies and innovation. ICTs have the potential to amplify the efforts of the extension agents who work directly
The publication is based on the lessons of the “Meteo Media Days” organized in 15 countries in West Africa and Chad between 2012 and 2016. The activity was an element of communication strategies of METAGRI and the Global Forum for Climate Services GFCS, two programs implemented by the World Meteorological Organization. Acknowledging that communication specialists and meteorologists have a different perception of the adequate way to convey useful messages to
Farmers require relevant, timely and continuous information and advice regarding historic climate variability, probabilistic seasonal forecasts, and monitoring and short-lead information about growing season weather. This information can help them to make informed decisions about their farming practices and enable decision-makers to understand and act on the information (Tall et al., 2014). These services are especially important for farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, where up to 95% of crop production is
Radio, more than any other medium, speaks the language of farmers. Farmers count on radio to provide the information they need, when they need it. However, too often, radio lets farmers down. It doesn’t have to be this way- stemming from our numerous interviews conducted across radio stations in Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi, we are publishing a list of tips for broadcasters who want to improve their programs.
Nowadays, compelling issues such as climate change and food security require primarily multidisciplinary approaches and multistakeholder action in the process of social learning for adaptive livelihoods. This implies an increasing demand for information, knowledge and participation that puts the need for planned communication activities at the centre of development initiatives. Within this framework, it is essential to support rural knowledge institutions and national programmes for climate change and food security
This document has been prepared to inspire reflection about the role of communication in advancing family farming. It includes an analysis of examples of ComDev approaches applied to smallholder farming and rural development and the issues that they encompass: food security, natural resource management, rural livelihoods, agricultural innovation, and capacity development. One emerging concept is that of “rural communication services,” which seeks to enhance rural livelihoods by facilitating equitable access
If you are looking for ways to improve your farmer program, Farm Radio International’s online learning module is a great place to learn new techniques. This self-guided learning module uses simple pictures, questions, and short activities to explain key concepts. Use VOICE to make good farmer programming This module explores Farm Radio’s VOICE Standards. You will learn why farmers turn off a farmer program, why your station should have a
CCAFS-led activities in the GFCS Adaptation Program in Africa include: training agricultural extension staff and other intermediaries to communicate climate services with farming communities; implement research-based assessment of needs, and monitoring and evaluation of improvements in the access and use of climate services by rural communities (farmers, pastoralists), and design scalable mechanisms to communicate climate information through interactive radio and ICT platforms. This working paper presents a summary of findings
Abstract Agricultural advisory services generally rely on interpersonal knowledge transfers in which agricultural extension agents visit farmers individually or in groups to provide information and advice. This approach is not always effective and has often proved hard to bring to scale, particularly in highly dispersed smallholder farming systems. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been advanced as a promising way to overcome these problems associated with information delivery. We evaluate
Planning Communication for Agricultural Disaster Risk Management provides a guide for designing and implementing communication activities in support of ADRM. It focuses primarily on experiences gained in the English Caribbean region that have been also validated elsewhere. This field guide provides a complete overview of the ComDev planning in the context of the ADRM process, as well as concrete recommendations for its implementation. It can be used to orient ADRM
