Sustainable farmer-to-farmer extension – the experiences of private service providers in Zambia

Abstract

To improve and sustain farm productivity, farmers require information on inputs, postharvest management and markets, and exposure to new technologies and best practices. Traditionally public agricultural extension agents are the knowledge brokers for farmers. However, government extension has received much criticism due to limited reach and relevance, and poor resourcing. This paper examines the use of a private extension approach that is supporting and educating farmers in groups in two districts of Zambia through farmer-to-farmer extension. This paper shares the experiences and perspectives of farmers who provide the extension services. In doing so, it highlights the tensions within the role of farmers as private service providers and three emergent dilemmas for sustainability of the approach.

Keywords

• farmer-to-farmer extension
• private service providers
• user-pays
• social entrepreneurship
• sustainability