Innovative radio based extension for agriculture and livestock producers in Kenya

Abstract

This is a case study report based on a pilot innovative approach to extension that targeted the dairy farmers in high rainfall areas and subsequently up scaled in a pastoral setting in twelve (12) Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) counties of Kenya. This innovative radio based training approach was a culmination of a study that showed that 70% of dairy farmers in the high potential areas of Kenya had no access to education or extension messages on dairy production. The objective of the radio programme is to increase extension training and ultimately improve incomes for the dairy farmers as well as the livestock producers in high rainfall and pastoral areas, respectively. The approach involves a collaborative effort between broadcasting radio station that airs interactive discussions by subject matter specialists in the studio and most importantly, field support by government technical officers who create awareness, mobilize and organize farmers and pastoralists into radio listening groups, recap the aired topics with the listeners and carry out practical demonstrations for the farmers. The listeners register by paying KS 100 via Mpesa. Followership is monitored through asking a simple question at the end of each session and listeners answers via the provided cell phone number of registration or through a dedicated number provided by the radio station. The pilot and upscaling have resulted to over 25,000 benefiting while immediate impacts like reduction of milk rejection by a cooperative from 30% down to 8%; stimulating demand for extension (demand for services increased from 59%-68%); pastoralists seeking information about livestock prices increased from 28.1-35.1%, among others. This approach is a useful and penetrative tool of extension, contents, educative, applicable and increase participation of women and youth in agriculture. The county governments and private sector should adopt this innovative approach to reach many agricultural producers.