MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
can use this information for seasonal climate forecast. Farmers can also be
taught to analyse this data to make an understanding of their farming
environment. A case study is the Climate Field Schools in Chiredzi District
established under the Coping with Drought project funded by UNDP and
coordinated by Dr L. Unganai.
LEAD FARMER APPROACH
The extension personnel choose an exemplary farmer who has shown more
knowledge on adaptation of new practices and technologies. The lead farmer
will then teach and instruct other farmers on how he would have done in his/ her
plot to achieve improved productivity. The farmers‟ field can then be used to
facilitate learning of technologies that he will have used to achieve good yields.
FAMER FIELD SCHOOL
Farmer field schools have been recently introduced. This practice involves
participation of farmers and the extension worker.
PRINCIPLES OF ADULT LEARNING
When passing messages to the farmer, they must be simplified to
the level of the farmer
When imparting ideas, it should be done in short episodes
Learning should be followed by practice
Adults learn when they want to
Adults want to learn what address their needs
Adults need to be respected
Repeat Key Points Three Times and in Three Ways -One way to
make sure that the key points are retained by the audience is to
repeat them three times throughout the presentation using three
methods of delivery.
Provide Supplementary Handouts -Handouts that help illustrate
your points, or engage the learning by aiding an exercise, can
increase retention of the key points and provide the additional
information that cannot be covered in the limited time frame.
A Training Manual on Use of Climate Information and Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment for
Agricultural Extension Staff in Zimbabwe
Page 36