Farmer and Extension Staff Training on Agroecological Farming Practices

Dube, Farayi; Magaisa, Alec; Moyo, Martin. 2024. Farmer and Extension Staff Training on Agroecological Farming Practices. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: ICRISAT

This report documents the activities of a three-day farmer training program conducted in August 2024 in Hwange and Lupane districts of Zimbabwe, focusing on enhancing the adoption of agroecological farming practices among smallholder farmers. Recognizing the significant impact of climate change, soil degradation, and declining agricultural productivity on these semi-arid regions, the training aimed to:

1. Introduce the principles of agroecology
2. Provide practical demonstrations of key Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) practices including compost making and urea treatment of stover
3. Facilitate knowledge exchange and peer learning through interactive sessions and discussions among farmers and extension staff
4. Empower farmers with the knowledge and skills to adopt and adapt agroecological practices to their specific needs and conditions, ultimately enhancing agricultural productivity, improving food security, and enhancing their livelihoods

The training program employed a participatory approach, combining theoretical presentations with practical demonstrations and interactive discussions. A total of 98 participants, including 15 extension staff and 83 farmers, were trained by ICRISAT Scientific officers. The training program employed a participatory approach, combining theoretical presentations with practical demonstrations and interactive discussions. A total of 98 participants, including 15 extension staff and 83 farmers, were trained by ICRISAT Scientific officers.

Training activities included:

1. Introduction to agroecology, covering the 13 principles of agroecology, emphasizing their relevance to local farming systems.
2. Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) updates, providing an overview of the ongoing ISFM study that ICRISAT is undertaking on behalf of USAID in the districts and other relevant ISFM research initiatives.
3. Practical demonstrations consisting of hands-on training on compost making and urea treatment of stover, emphasizing proper techniques and safety precautions. The training proved highly valuable, with participants expressing increased confidence in implementing the learned practices. Key recommendations were to conducting regular follow-up training sessions such as farmer field schools, demonstration plots, and fairs.