MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
EXTENSION APPROACHES TO USE
MASTER FARMER TRAINING
This is a strategy crafted by the Agricultural Extensionist named Alvord to try and
convince farmers to adapt to certain practices to improve their farm
productivity. This approach is still being used in Agritex to impart Agriculture
knowledge to farmers. Farmers are given certificates (master farmer
certificates) on completion of the 2 years theory and practice course. Climate
change and Climate Variability information can also be instilled as farmers learn
some of the proficient practices to use in their farm production.
TOURS/ VISITS TO LEARNING CENTRES
Farmers can be sent in groups to research stations or demonstration plots where
trials are being done. By this method, farmers can learn through observations.
“Learning is based on the adage: if I hear I might forget, if I see I might
remember, if I discover, I own for life.” Farmers are required to replicate what
they will have seen in their farming plots what they would have seen during their
field tour.
FIELD DAYS
Farmers gather at one of the best farmers and learn from the best farmers‟
experience. During the gathering, farmers ask questions from the best farmer on
how he/she would have conducted his farming activities to achieve good crop
stand/yield etc. Farmers during this event learn through seeing best practices.
DEMONSTRATION
Extension staff member might want farmers to adapt to certain farming practices.
Demonstrations might be set on plots of some farmers. The demonstration might
be that to do moisture with moisture conservation practices, farmers can then go
and observe crops during various growth stages on the demonstration plots and
learn good practices.
A Training Manual on Use of Climate Information and Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment for
Agricultural Extension Staff in Zimbabwe
Page 34