
Local language training videos break barriers to discussions and help enhance interaction among smallholder farmers. This was one of the key insights highlighted by Entrepreneurs for Rural Access (ERAs) at the recent national experience-sharing workshop in Kampala, Uganda. The workshop was organised by the Uganda Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (UFAAS) in collaboration with Access Agriculture and Young Professionals in Agriculture Research & Development (YPARD) as part of the Global Programme for Small-scale Agroecology Producers and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation (GP-SAEP).
The other highlights that emerged from the meeting include the following:
- Farming communities, like those from Soroti district in Eastern Uganda, showed clear preference for training with videos over conventional training methods;
- Farmers are eager to watch videos on almost all value chains and grasp better when the modules are well structured, showing the complete process from planting to postharvest;
- Women farmers tend to participate more actively in discussions on videos that focus on value chains where they have a bigger role;
- It is important to build a strong rapport with farmers to enhance their attendance in training
- Success of the project depends on the clear understanding of roles and responsibilities of all the partners involved as well as on good coordination of activities
“The aim of the meeting was to share experiences, including lessons learnt, successes and challenges in the project implementation,” said Ezra Masolaki, Entrepreneur Coach for East Africa at Access Agriculture, which is a key project partner. “If we address the few challenges encountered during the project implementation, then we can expect an outstanding impact on the farming communities.”
As part of the project, the ERAs are using farmer-to-farmer training videos to train farmers in agroecological principles and practices across Lira, Soroti, Bugiri, Buikwe and Ssembabule districts with support from Master Trainers and Rural Advisory Service (RAS) providers. The videos were selected based on farmers’ needs and focused on several value chains, including poultry, vegetables, coffee, banana, cassava, maize, and rice, among others.
Participants included Master Trainers, RAS providers, YPARD Fellows, representatives of UFAAS, African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) and FCA Madagascar, GP-SAEP Project Coordinator, Access Agriculture Coach and 10 ERAs.
The GP-SAEP Project is being implemented in four countries – Uganda, Madagascar, Ecuador and Costa Rica – through support from the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) in close collaboration with the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), with funding from the European Union.