From Research to the Fields
The information hub for ecological agriculture makes valuable knowledge accessible to smallholder farmers in Kenya.
Context: bridging the knowledge gap
Research shows that smallholder farmers can increase food productivity, protect the environment, and secure a decent livelihood through agroecology. However, this information rarely reaches smallholder farmers.
Together with our long-standing partner, Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT), we bridge this gap by providing practical knowledge through a digital platform, radio, a magazine, and personalized field consultations.
The focus is on relevant, locally adapted information on topics such as ecological farming, animal husbandry, animal health, and environmental protection. The project aims to change farmers’ behaviors: shifting from conventional farming with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to sustainable, research-based methods.
Scientists and agricultural advisory services also benefit from the project, particularly through the Infonet platform, which offers access to scientifically and practically validated knowledge.
Goals: promoting sustainable agriculture
- Increase awareness among smallholder farmers about the benefits of agroecology.
- Reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
- Engage government institutions, research organizations, and other key stakeholders in designing and disseminating agroecological knowledge.
At a glance
Project name:
Information hub
Beneficiaries: Kenya
Project budget in CHF :
2548947
Participants: Agricultural advisors Smallholder farmers
Project Officer:
Project phase: 2023-2025
Partner organizations:
The project addresses the following SDGs from UN Agenda 2030:
This project is supported by SDC
Region
Impact: broad knowledge dissemination
Through four channels, Biovision Africa Trust facilitates the exchange between science and smallholder farming communities:
- Print: The newspaper The Organic Farmer (TOF) reaches 80’000 smallholder farmers in Kenya.
- Radio: Approximately 2 million smallholder farmers in Kenya regularly listen to broadcasts on ecological farming topics through national and regional radio stations.
- Digital: Infonet-Biovision is a web-based information platform and database, providing research findings and sustainable farming methods to users in East Africa. About 100’000 users visit the portal annually.
- Advisory Services: In 11 Kenyan districts, local advisory centers offer training courses in ecological farming. Around 7’000 smallholder farmers participate annually. Agricultural advisors also visit farming communities to address questions and enhance farmer group networks.
Facts and figures about the project
The communication measures of this project reach
million smallholder farmers
smallholder farmers adopt agroecology
The food security and income of at least
smallholder farmers are improved
Next Steps: strengthening collaboration
In addition to continuing the various communication channels and disseminating agroecological knowledge, the project will strengthen collaboration with the government and civil society organizations through established platforms. The goal is to better utilize synergies for generating and disseminating knowledge.
At the district level, joint communication plans will be developed to promote agroecology. Advisory teams from the government and partners will receive training to deepen their knowledge of agroecological practices.
The aim is for over 50’000 farmers to significantly reduce their use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and increase their yields through agroecological practices.
More about this or similar projects
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