Towards sustainable vegetable growing with farmer learning videos in Benin

31st January 2018
by secretary

Paepard

24 January 2018.

Towards sustainable vegetable growing with farmer learning videos in Benin

Gérard C. Zoundji, Florent Okry, Simplice D. Vodouhê & Jeffery W. Bentley

Vegetable production plays an important role in nutrition, food security and poverty reduction in Benin. However, vegetable production is hampered by pests and farmers rely on pesticides to control them. Improving farmers’ knowledge is important for the use of sustainable, intensive agricultural practices.

This paper assesses the role of learning video in changing vegetable farmers’ behaviour towards sustainable agriculture. Drawing mainly on mass distribution of learning videos, DVDs entitled ‘Improving vegetable production’ were sold through non-conventional dissemination networks from August to December 2015, to strengthen farmers’ learning. In June 2016, researchers related to AccessAgriculture interviewed a sample of 120 buyers/viewers in four different areas where the DVDs were sold. The interviews were followed by a field visit to collect evidence of the change of practices reported during the interviews.

Results revealed that farmers who watched the videos enhanced their creativity and adapted the learning to their environment by using more sustainable agriculture practices. About 86% of respondents indicated that they now spend less money for pesticides to manage pests and diseases.

Video-mediated learning promotes local innovation, improves farmers’ knowledge and triggers agro-ecological practices with little or no input from the conventional extension system.

Conserving bean leaf vegetables

Thursday 30th November 2017

Women in northern Malawi show how best to pick, dry and store bean leaves

Leaf vegetables, Beans, Organic agriculture
Sorting and storing pumpkins

Tuesday 27th June 2017

In this video, farmers from northern Bangladesh will guide us on how to sort and store pumpkins correctly

Other vegetables, Post-harvest, Organic agriculture
Managing onion diseases

Monday 11th July 2016

Different onion diseases can cause different symptoms, but most can be managed in the same way.

Onions, Vegetables
Solar drying of kale leaves

Tuesday 31st May 2016

Solar drying allows farmers to reduce losses and sell leafy vegetables out of the main harvest season

Other vegetables, Leaf vegetables, Group approaches, Post-harvest, Marketing, Food safety
Growing oyster mushrooms

Friday 27th May 2016

How to prepare the substrate, plant mushroom seed and grow oyster mushrooms under clean conditions

Edible fungi, Vegetables, Food safety, Organic agriculture, Other agricultural practices
The wonder of earthworms

Friday 27th May 2016

How to make compost using earthworms, and increase soil fertility

Other vegetables, Integrated soil fertility management, Vermicomposting, Organic agriculture
Making a chilli seedbed

Friday 27th May 2016

Farmers in Benin teach us how to make a chilli seedbed to get strong, healthy seedlings

Other vegetables, Herbs & Spices, Chillies, Vegetables, Organic agriculture
Making chilli powder

Friday 27th May 2016

Making chilli powder is a good way to make money that does not require very much time

Other vegetables, Herbs & Spices, Chillies, Post-harvest, Marketing, Food safety, Organic agriculture
Solar drying of chillies

Friday 27th May 2016

Dry your food faster and more hygienically by using a solar dryer that uses the heat of the sun

Other vegetables, Pineapples, Herbs & Spices, Chillies, Vegetables, Post-harvest, Food safety, Organic agriculture
Transplanting chillies

Friday 27th May 2016

Give your seedlings a smooth transition from the seedbed to the field to increase your chances of getting a good crop

Other vegetables, Tomatoes, Herbs & Spices, Chillies, Organic agriculture
Managing vegetable nematodes

Friday 27th May 2016

The diagnosis, life cycle and control methods of root knot nematodes in vegetables

Other vegetables, Leaf vegetables, Herbs & Spices, Chillies, Vegetables, Organic agriculture
Drying and storing chillies

Friday 27th May 2016

Practical ideas about proper harvesting, drying, grading and storage of chillies

Cereals, Other vegetables, Herbs & Spices, Chillies, Roots, Tubers & Bananas, Post-harvest, Food safety, Organic agriculture

Source: PAEPARD FEED