Farmer Communication Outreach Project
The Communication Outreach Project is a project of Biovision Africa Trust implemented under the Farmer Communication Programme. The objective of the project is reach farmers on a face-to-face basis as critical element of knowledge and skills transfer. The project enables smallholder farmers access one-on-one extension services while complementing other extension pathways (The Organic Farmer Magazine, The Organic Radio and Biovision Infonet) offered by BvAT. The Outreach project implement activities through 12 Farmer Resource Centres (FRCs) based in 11 counties in Kenya.
Farmer Resource Centres serve as a one stop information hub to provide demand driven information and knowledge on ecological sustainable agriculture and priority value chains to local smallholder farmers to enhance food security and livelihoods improvement, and environmental sustainability
Farmer Resource Centres serve as a one stop information hub to provide demand driven information and knowledge on ecological sustainable agriculture and priority value chains to local smallholder farmers to enhance food security and livelihoods improvement, and environmental sustainability.
Functions of a resource center
The main functions of a model FRC are to:
- Offer focused trainings modelled on the needs of the community where the centre is located
- Train farmers through use of farm demonstrations for practical application of ecological sustainable agriculture technologies and practices.
- Provide agro-clinic services.
- Provide a centre and a platform for information exchange among farmers and stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
- Provide linkages to value chain actors such as input suppliers, marketers, credit facilities.
- Distribute and facilitate access to information materials (print, audio, audio visual, web) that address farmer needs
- Engage with county governments and participate in county stakeholder forums to promote knowledge on ecological sustainable agriculture.
List of Resource Centers
| Resource Centre | County |
|---|---|
|
Gilgil |
Nakuru |
|
Kagio |
Kirinyaga |
|
KALRO Kakamega |
Kakamega |
|
KALRO Katumani |
Machakos |
|
Kamukuywa |
Bungoma |
|
Kangundo |
Machakos |
|
Kisii |
Kisii |
|
Maragua |
Murang’a |
|
Mukuyuni |
Makueni |
|
Murungaru |
Nyandarua |
|
Ndeiya |
Kiambu |
|
Singi CBO |
Busia |
Chris Bundi Rwanda
Farmer Communication Outreach Manager
