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FVR. Sustainable agricultural extension through technology. THE CHALLENGE. Smallholder farmers in Sub Saharan Africa are a vulnerable population. Over 60% of the entire workforce of SSA are involved in agriculture. 65% of the population earn under $2 per day.
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FVR Sustainable agricultural extension through technology
THE CHALLENGE Smallholder farmers in Sub Saharan Africa are a vulnerable population Over 60% of the entire workforce of SSA are involved in agriculture 65% of the population earn under $2 per day 33% of the population are undernourished GDP growth based on agriculture is effective at increasing incomes for the poor Extension services are broken
THE OPPORTUNITY Radio and mobile phones offer a cost-effective alternative
CURRENT LIMITATIONS Current limitations of radio and mobile approaches • Insufficient radio airtime • Limited topic coverage • Limited involvement of agricultural specialists and farmers • Feedback does not guide content • Unsustainable business model
THE FVR SOLUTION A sustainable, participatory model for providing timely, relevant agricultural extension services to most smallholder farmers by linking extension officers and farmers with the power of radioand mobile phones.
1. SUSTAINABLE APPROACH FVR Solution: • Core business alliance • Supporting consortium • Regional office CONSORTIUM REGIONAL OFFICE
2. PARTICIPATORY APPROACH FVR Solution: • Farmers’ voice included at every stage • Structured, built-in feedback system
3. TIMELY & RELEVANT APPROACH FVR Solution: • Quarterly agricultural radio agendas • Linked to agricultural calendar and program schedules
4. REACHING MORE FARMERS, EFFECTIVELY & EFFICIENTLY FVR Solution: • Production teams • Tested principles of radio instruction
FVR BENEFITS • 59% listen • 61% trust • 78% timed appropriately • 65% sufficient information • 74% implement practices Sustainable FVR consortia set up in 4 countries 105 extension officers linked with 36 radio stations Stations have changed their programming FVR has demonstrated the power of radio & mobile
ICT for Farmer Development Phil Christensen pchristensen@farmervoice.org +27-82-570-8396 www.farmervoice.org