EXTENSION

We now work with extension of knowledge. Through endless discussions with farmers, groups of farmers and local leaders our extensionists spread the knowledge of agroforestry.

 

They teach farmers how to improve their soil through trees by nitrogen fixation and increased amounts of organic matter in the soil. They show farmers how to stop erosion with lines of fast growing trees along contours. They advise farmers on how to manage agricultural crops and vegetables. They convince farmers that fuel-wood, posts and timber can be produced at home without competition with crops. They demonstrate to farmers how to manage such systems. But they also learn a lot from the farmers. This advising - discussing - learning process is our extension. That is what makes Vi Agroforestry successful.

 

To enable extensionists to reach large numbers of farmers the project promotes the use of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and group extension. The use of PRA methods has proven efficient in promotion of community adoption of agroforestry as solutions to identified problems.

 

Our type of agroforestry extension means transfer of knowledge to farmers and induction of new knowledge, by us and by the farmers. Knowledge that enable farmers to change their livelihood themselves - by agroforestry. It is important to demonstrate that farmers can actually improve their livelihood through agroforestry. Successful farmers spread this experience and knowledge to neighbours. Optimism and self-respect is born from this knowledge and experience, not only for the individual, but also for whole communities.

 

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