LEAD FARMER

A Community Mobilisation and Engagement Strategy for Developing

Livelihoods and Building Resilience The Case of the ZAMBEZI RIVER BASIN INITIATIVE (ZRBI) Programme

Implemented Between

2011-2015

By Bruce K Mulenga PhD Candidate

2016

Page 2

ldquoCommunities in Zambia must begin to embrace Lead-Farmer strategy as an Agriculture Extension method that advances effective and efficient farming

system that promotes food security in the face of climate change and disasters This publication shows the efficacy of Lead Farmer strategy as an effective

means of mobilising and engaging rural communities to effectively embark on farming methods that inspire food securityrdquo

This publication is produced by the Zambia Red Cross Society Communications Department It is

based on the experience of Lead Farmer strategy as an Agriculture Extension method for mobilising

and engaging farmers to develop their livelihoods and build resilience in harsh climatic footprints

experienced along the Zambezi River Basin in Zambia

Page 3

FOREWORD

Zambia has showed commitment to improving the economic conditions of its citizens as indicated in its Revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013-2016 (R-SNDP) Further the Vision 2030 of becoming a ldquoprosperous middle-income country by 2030rdquo (R-SNDP)1 exemplifies Zambiarsquos acceleration towards growth and promotion of viable livelihoods of the people especially those in the rural areas The above mentioned two development instruments namely the Revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013-2016 and the Vision 2030 describe the promotion of rural development through agricultural development as key to the nationrsquos economic growth of its citizens The achievement of this goal however depends on the involvement and commitment of stakeholders to develop programmes that support agricultural development and viable livelihoods However climate change characterised by higher temperatures shortened growing seasons and increased frequency of severe climate events are weighing down the prospects of agricultural development and viable livelihoods of the majority of the people especially those in rural areas Increased droughts and irregular rain patterns have caused crop failure and are largely reducing the food security and are destroying the viable livelihoods of the majority of peasant farmers in the rural communities As a matter of fact predictions are that there will be substantial increases in food insecurity particularly in the southern and central regions while maize yields will decline by 2055 (FAO)2 The Zambia Red Cross Society developed an initiative called the Zambezi River Basin initiative (ZRBI) in Sesheke and Kazungula districts South of Zambia to build resilience towards disasters causing food insecurity and destroying the livelihoods of people living along the Zambezi river basin The outcomes of the initiative (ZRBI) contributed to the objectives of the countryrsquos development agenda stated in the Revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013-2016 (R-SNDP)3 the Vision 2030 and ultimately to the second goal of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) namely ldquoEnd hunger achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculturerdquo The success of the initiative lied in the Extension Service Strategy used to mobilise vulnerable households and engage them into productive agriculture ventures The Extension Service strategy (Lead Farmer Strategy) enabled over 22 000 farmers overcome challenges of food insecurity caused by drought This publication shares the concept of ldquoLead Farmer strategyrdquo as an effective Extension Service strategy that enables vulnerable households engage in productive farming practices in the face of drought The publication provides success stories of resilient and provides a blueprint for other communities facing similar crises and challenges

1 Zambia Ministry of Finance (2014) Revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013-2016

2 httpwwwfaoorgclimatechangeepicprojectscountrieszambiaen

3 Ibid

Page 4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author pays gratitude to the Beneficiaries of the Lead Farmer strategy on behalf of the Zambia Red Cross Society for diligently utilise the lead-farmer extension service to build resilience towards their disasters Great appreciation goes to funders of the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Zambia for the technical assistance received to implement this Programme in Sesheke Mwandi and Kazungula Districts in the Southern Province of Zambia The Zambia Red Cross Society commends this publication as a significant contribution towards understanding the concept of Lead Farmer as an Extension Service strategy for building peoplersquos resilience towards food insecurity caused by disasters

Page 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Foreword 3

Acknowledgement 4

Chapter 1 Introduction 6

11 Country Context ZAMBIA 8

Chapter II The Zambezi River Initiative 8

21 Promotion of Food Security and Disaster Preparedness along the Zambezi

River Basin 8

Chapter III Lead Farmer Strategy 9

31 The Way Lead Farmer Strategy Works 9

311 The Community 9

312 The Agriculture Extension Officer 9

313 The Lead Farmers 10

314 The Follower Farmers 11

Chapter IV Social Communication in Lead Farmer Strategy 12

41 Mobilisation Engagement and Communication 12

412 Farmer Mobilisation 13

413 Farmer Engagement 14

414 Communication 15

4141 Communication Methods 15

4142 Communication Tools for Community Media 15

Chapter V Positive Impacts of Lead Farmer Strategy 17

CONCLUSION 17

Page 6

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

11 Country Context ZAMBIA

Zambia is situated in the tropical South-Central part of Africa The country has a temperate climate The low-lying areas like the valleys of the Zambezi Luangwa and Kafue Rivers and the shores of the Countrys Lakes have the highest temperatures in the country The hottest months of the year are from August to October with May to July being slightly cooler The rainy season begins in the middle of November and lasts until April Rainfall is generally highest in the Northern parts of Zambia and decreases from Northern to Southern parts of the country The Zambezi River is the longest River in Zambia with a total length of 2735 kilometres Most of Zambias Rivers such as the Kafue Luangwa and Lunsemfwa and other streams drain their waters into the Zambezi River The Zambezi River passes through floodplains and swamps It winds its way through Angola along the borders of Namibia Botswana Mozambique and Zimbabwe before pouring its waters into the Indian Ocean The river provides drinking water fish and irrigation for agriculture transport hydro-electric power and tourism for over 32 million people living along its basin In recent times climate change coupled with environmental degradation has increased the annual flooding seen along some stretches of the river Frequent flooding of the River has made the people living along its basin to live in a perpetual and devastating cycle of displacement and suffering Their capacity towards disaster preparedness promotion of food security and livelihoods is heavily compromised by the extreme weather pattern caused by climate change Farming households living along the Zambezi River Basin have limited capacity to produce food that could sustain them the whole year round As such the need to address the vulnerability of the people living along the Zambezi River Basin so that they become more resilient and secure from food insecurity caused by disasters remains indispensable

Page 7

Figure 1 Map of Zambia and Facts

KEY FACTS

Location Southern Africa landlocked country east of Angola Land area 740724 sq km

Population (2014 est) 14638505

Capital Lusaka Climate Generally dry amp temperate tropical modified by altitude rainy season (Oct to April) Unemployment 15 (2008 est)

Page 2

ldquoCommunities in Zambia must begin to embrace Lead-Farmer strategy as an Agriculture Extension method that advances effective and efficient farming

system that promotes food security in the face of climate change and disasters This publication shows the efficacy of Lead Farmer strategy as an effective

means of mobilising and engaging rural communities to effectively embark on farming methods that inspire food securityrdquo

This publication is produced by the Zambia Red Cross Society Communications Department It is

based on the experience of Lead Farmer strategy as an Agriculture Extension method for mobilising

and engaging farmers to develop their livelihoods and build resilience in harsh climatic footprints

experienced along the Zambezi River Basin in Zambia

Page 3

FOREWORD

Zambia has showed commitment to improving the economic conditions of its citizens as indicated in its Revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013-2016 (R-SNDP) Further the Vision 2030 of becoming a ldquoprosperous middle-income country by 2030rdquo (R-SNDP)1 exemplifies Zambiarsquos acceleration towards growth and promotion of viable livelihoods of the people especially those in the rural areas The above mentioned two development instruments namely the Revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013-2016 and the Vision 2030 describe the promotion of rural development through agricultural development as key to the nationrsquos economic growth of its citizens The achievement of this goal however depends on the involvement and commitment of stakeholders to develop programmes that support agricultural development and viable livelihoods However climate change characterised by higher temperatures shortened growing seasons and increased frequency of severe climate events are weighing down the prospects of agricultural development and viable livelihoods of the majority of the people especially those in rural areas Increased droughts and irregular rain patterns have caused crop failure and are largely reducing the food security and are destroying the viable livelihoods of the majority of peasant farmers in the rural communities As a matter of fact predictions are that there will be substantial increases in food insecurity particularly in the southern and central regions while maize yields will decline by 2055 (FAO)2 The Zambia Red Cross Society developed an initiative called the Zambezi River Basin initiative (ZRBI) in Sesheke and Kazungula districts South of Zambia to build resilience towards disasters causing food insecurity and destroying the livelihoods of people living along the Zambezi river basin The outcomes of the initiative (ZRBI) contributed to the objectives of the countryrsquos development agenda stated in the Revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013-2016 (R-SNDP)3 the Vision 2030 and ultimately to the second goal of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) namely ldquoEnd hunger achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculturerdquo The success of the initiative lied in the Extension Service Strategy used to mobilise vulnerable households and engage them into productive agriculture ventures The Extension Service strategy (Lead Farmer Strategy) enabled over 22 000 farmers overcome challenges of food insecurity caused by drought This publication shares the concept of ldquoLead Farmer strategyrdquo as an effective Extension Service strategy that enables vulnerable households engage in productive farming practices in the face of drought The publication provides success stories of resilient and provides a blueprint for other communities facing similar crises and challenges

1 Zambia Ministry of Finance (2014) Revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013-2016

2 httpwwwfaoorgclimatechangeepicprojectscountrieszambiaen

3 Ibid

Page 4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author pays gratitude to the Beneficiaries of the Lead Farmer strategy on behalf of the Zambia Red Cross Society for diligently utilise the lead-farmer extension service to build resilience towards their disasters Great appreciation goes to funders of the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Zambia for the technical assistance received to implement this Programme in Sesheke Mwandi and Kazungula Districts in the Southern Province of Zambia The Zambia Red Cross Society commends this publication as a significant contribution towards understanding the concept of Lead Farmer as an Extension Service strategy for building peoplersquos resilience towards food insecurity caused by disasters

Page 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Foreword 3

Acknowledgement 4

Chapter 1 Introduction 6

11 Country Context ZAMBIA 8

Chapter II The Zambezi River Initiative 8

21 Promotion of Food Security and Disaster Preparedness along the Zambezi

River Basin 8

Chapter III Lead Farmer Strategy 9

31 The Way Lead Farmer Strategy Works 9

311 The Community 9

312 The Agriculture Extension Officer 9

313 The Lead Farmers 10

314 The Follower Farmers 11

Chapter IV Social Communication in Lead Farmer Strategy 12

41 Mobilisation Engagement and Communication 12

412 Farmer Mobilisation 13

413 Farmer Engagement 14

414 Communication 15

4141 Communication Methods 15

4142 Communication Tools for Community Media 15

Chapter V Positive Impacts of Lead Farmer Strategy 17

CONCLUSION 17

Page 6

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

11 Country Context ZAMBIA

Zambia is situated in the tropical South-Central part of Africa The country has a temperate climate The low-lying areas like the valleys of the Zambezi Luangwa and Kafue Rivers and the shores of the Countrys Lakes have the highest temperatures in the country The hottest months of the year are from August to October with May to July being slightly cooler The rainy season begins in the middle of November and lasts until April Rainfall is generally highest in the Northern parts of Zambia and decreases from Northern to Southern parts of the country The Zambezi River is the longest River in Zambia with a total length of 2735 kilometres Most of Zambias Rivers such as the Kafue Luangwa and Lunsemfwa and other streams drain their waters into the Zambezi River The Zambezi River passes through floodplains and swamps It winds its way through Angola along the borders of Namibia Botswana Mozambique and Zimbabwe before pouring its waters into the Indian Ocean The river provides drinking water fish and irrigation for agriculture transport hydro-electric power and tourism for over 32 million people living along its basin In recent times climate change coupled with environmental degradation has increased the annual flooding seen along some stretches of the river Frequent flooding of the River has made the people living along its basin to live in a perpetual and devastating cycle of displacement and suffering Their capacity towards disaster preparedness promotion of food security and livelihoods is heavily compromised by the extreme weather pattern caused by climate change Farming households living along the Zambezi River Basin have limited capacity to produce food that could sustain them the whole year round As such the need to address the vulnerability of the people living along the Zambezi River Basin so that they become more resilient and secure from food insecurity caused by disasters remains indispensable

Page 7

Figure 1 Map of Zambia and Facts

KEY FACTS

Location Southern Africa landlocked country east of Angola Land area 740724 sq km

Population (2014 est) 14638505

Capital Lusaka Climate Generally dry amp temperate tropical modified by altitude rainy season (Oct to April) Unemployment 15 (2008 est)

Page 3

FOREWORD

Zambia has showed commitment to improving the economic conditions of its citizens as indicated in its Revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013-2016 (R-SNDP) Further the Vision 2030 of becoming a ldquoprosperous middle-income country by 2030rdquo (R-SNDP)1 exemplifies Zambiarsquos acceleration towards growth and promotion of viable livelihoods of the people especially those in the rural areas The above mentioned two development instruments namely the Revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013-2016 and the Vision 2030 describe the promotion of rural development through agricultural development as key to the nationrsquos economic growth of its citizens The achievement of this goal however depends on the involvement and commitment of stakeholders to develop programmes that support agricultural development and viable livelihoods However climate change characterised by higher temperatures shortened growing seasons and increased frequency of severe climate events are weighing down the prospects of agricultural development and viable livelihoods of the majority of the people especially those in rural areas Increased droughts and irregular rain patterns have caused crop failure and are largely reducing the food security and are destroying the viable livelihoods of the majority of peasant farmers in the rural communities As a matter of fact predictions are that there will be substantial increases in food insecurity particularly in the southern and central regions while maize yields will decline by 2055 (FAO)2 The Zambia Red Cross Society developed an initiative called the Zambezi River Basin initiative (ZRBI) in Sesheke and Kazungula districts South of Zambia to build resilience towards disasters causing food insecurity and destroying the livelihoods of people living along the Zambezi river basin The outcomes of the initiative (ZRBI) contributed to the objectives of the countryrsquos development agenda stated in the Revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013-2016 (R-SNDP)3 the Vision 2030 and ultimately to the second goal of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) namely ldquoEnd hunger achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculturerdquo The success of the initiative lied in the Extension Service Strategy used to mobilise vulnerable households and engage them into productive agriculture ventures The Extension Service strategy (Lead Farmer Strategy) enabled over 22 000 farmers overcome challenges of food insecurity caused by drought This publication shares the concept of ldquoLead Farmer strategyrdquo as an effective Extension Service strategy that enables vulnerable households engage in productive farming practices in the face of drought The publication provides success stories of resilient and provides a blueprint for other communities facing similar crises and challenges

1 Zambia Ministry of Finance (2014) Revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013-2016

2 httpwwwfaoorgclimatechangeepicprojectscountrieszambiaen

3 Ibid

Page 4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author pays gratitude to the Beneficiaries of the Lead Farmer strategy on behalf of the Zambia Red Cross Society for diligently utilise the lead-farmer extension service to build resilience towards their disasters Great appreciation goes to funders of the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Zambia for the technical assistance received to implement this Programme in Sesheke Mwandi and Kazungula Districts in the Southern Province of Zambia The Zambia Red Cross Society commends this publication as a significant contribution towards understanding the concept of Lead Farmer as an Extension Service strategy for building peoplersquos resilience towards food insecurity caused by disasters

Page 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Foreword 3

Acknowledgement 4

Chapter 1 Introduction 6

11 Country Context ZAMBIA 8

Chapter II The Zambezi River Initiative 8

21 Promotion of Food Security and Disaster Preparedness along the Zambezi

River Basin 8

Chapter III Lead Farmer Strategy 9

31 The Way Lead Farmer Strategy Works 9

311 The Community 9

312 The Agriculture Extension Officer 9

313 The Lead Farmers 10

314 The Follower Farmers 11

Chapter IV Social Communication in Lead Farmer Strategy 12

41 Mobilisation Engagement and Communication 12

412 Farmer Mobilisation 13

413 Farmer Engagement 14

414 Communication 15

4141 Communication Methods 15

4142 Communication Tools for Community Media 15

Chapter V Positive Impacts of Lead Farmer Strategy 17

CONCLUSION 17

Page 6

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

11 Country Context ZAMBIA

Zambia is situated in the tropical South-Central part of Africa The country has a temperate climate The low-lying areas like the valleys of the Zambezi Luangwa and Kafue Rivers and the shores of the Countrys Lakes have the highest temperatures in the country The hottest months of the year are from August to October with May to July being slightly cooler The rainy season begins in the middle of November and lasts until April Rainfall is generally highest in the Northern parts of Zambia and decreases from Northern to Southern parts of the country The Zambezi River is the longest River in Zambia with a total length of 2735 kilometres Most of Zambias Rivers such as the Kafue Luangwa and Lunsemfwa and other streams drain their waters into the Zambezi River The Zambezi River passes through floodplains and swamps It winds its way through Angola along the borders of Namibia Botswana Mozambique and Zimbabwe before pouring its waters into the Indian Ocean The river provides drinking water fish and irrigation for agriculture transport hydro-electric power and tourism for over 32 million people living along its basin In recent times climate change coupled with environmental degradation has increased the annual flooding seen along some stretches of the river Frequent flooding of the River has made the people living along its basin to live in a perpetual and devastating cycle of displacement and suffering Their capacity towards disaster preparedness promotion of food security and livelihoods is heavily compromised by the extreme weather pattern caused by climate change Farming households living along the Zambezi River Basin have limited capacity to produce food that could sustain them the whole year round As such the need to address the vulnerability of the people living along the Zambezi River Basin so that they become more resilient and secure from food insecurity caused by disasters remains indispensable

Page 7

Figure 1 Map of Zambia and Facts

KEY FACTS

Location Southern Africa landlocked country east of Angola Land area 740724 sq km

Population (2014 est) 14638505

Capital Lusaka Climate Generally dry amp temperate tropical modified by altitude rainy season (Oct to April) Unemployment 15 (2008 est)

Page 4

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author pays gratitude to the Beneficiaries of the Lead Farmer strategy on behalf of the Zambia Red Cross Society for diligently utilise the lead-farmer extension service to build resilience towards their disasters Great appreciation goes to funders of the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Zambia for the technical assistance received to implement this Programme in Sesheke Mwandi and Kazungula Districts in the Southern Province of Zambia The Zambia Red Cross Society commends this publication as a significant contribution towards understanding the concept of Lead Farmer as an Extension Service strategy for building peoplersquos resilience towards food insecurity caused by disasters

Page 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Foreword 3

Acknowledgement 4

Chapter 1 Introduction 6

11 Country Context ZAMBIA 8

Chapter II The Zambezi River Initiative 8

21 Promotion of Food Security and Disaster Preparedness along the Zambezi

River Basin 8

Chapter III Lead Farmer Strategy 9

31 The Way Lead Farmer Strategy Works 9

311 The Community 9

312 The Agriculture Extension Officer 9

313 The Lead Farmers 10

314 The Follower Farmers 11

Chapter IV Social Communication in Lead Farmer Strategy 12

41 Mobilisation Engagement and Communication 12

412 Farmer Mobilisation 13

413 Farmer Engagement 14

414 Communication 15

4141 Communication Methods 15

4142 Communication Tools for Community Media 15

Chapter V Positive Impacts of Lead Farmer Strategy 17

CONCLUSION 17

Page 6

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

11 Country Context ZAMBIA

Zambia is situated in the tropical South-Central part of Africa The country has a temperate climate The low-lying areas like the valleys of the Zambezi Luangwa and Kafue Rivers and the shores of the Countrys Lakes have the highest temperatures in the country The hottest months of the year are from August to October with May to July being slightly cooler The rainy season begins in the middle of November and lasts until April Rainfall is generally highest in the Northern parts of Zambia and decreases from Northern to Southern parts of the country The Zambezi River is the longest River in Zambia with a total length of 2735 kilometres Most of Zambias Rivers such as the Kafue Luangwa and Lunsemfwa and other streams drain their waters into the Zambezi River The Zambezi River passes through floodplains and swamps It winds its way through Angola along the borders of Namibia Botswana Mozambique and Zimbabwe before pouring its waters into the Indian Ocean The river provides drinking water fish and irrigation for agriculture transport hydro-electric power and tourism for over 32 million people living along its basin In recent times climate change coupled with environmental degradation has increased the annual flooding seen along some stretches of the river Frequent flooding of the River has made the people living along its basin to live in a perpetual and devastating cycle of displacement and suffering Their capacity towards disaster preparedness promotion of food security and livelihoods is heavily compromised by the extreme weather pattern caused by climate change Farming households living along the Zambezi River Basin have limited capacity to produce food that could sustain them the whole year round As such the need to address the vulnerability of the people living along the Zambezi River Basin so that they become more resilient and secure from food insecurity caused by disasters remains indispensable

Page 7

Figure 1 Map of Zambia and Facts

KEY FACTS

Location Southern Africa landlocked country east of Angola Land area 740724 sq km

Population (2014 est) 14638505

Capital Lusaka Climate Generally dry amp temperate tropical modified by altitude rainy season (Oct to April) Unemployment 15 (2008 est)

Page 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Foreword 3

Acknowledgement 4

Chapter 1 Introduction 6

11 Country Context ZAMBIA 8

Chapter II The Zambezi River Initiative 8

21 Promotion of Food Security and Disaster Preparedness along the Zambezi

River Basin 8

Chapter III Lead Farmer Strategy 9

31 The Way Lead Farmer Strategy Works 9

311 The Community 9

312 The Agriculture Extension Officer 9

313 The Lead Farmers 10

314 The Follower Farmers 11

Chapter IV Social Communication in Lead Farmer Strategy 12

41 Mobilisation Engagement and Communication 12

412 Farmer Mobilisation 13

413 Farmer Engagement 14

414 Communication 15

4141 Communication Methods 15

4142 Communication Tools for Community Media 15

Chapter V Positive Impacts of Lead Farmer Strategy 17

CONCLUSION 17

Page 6

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

11 Country Context ZAMBIA

Zambia is situated in the tropical South-Central part of Africa The country has a temperate climate The low-lying areas like the valleys of the Zambezi Luangwa and Kafue Rivers and the shores of the Countrys Lakes have the highest temperatures in the country The hottest months of the year are from August to October with May to July being slightly cooler The rainy season begins in the middle of November and lasts until April Rainfall is generally highest in the Northern parts of Zambia and decreases from Northern to Southern parts of the country The Zambezi River is the longest River in Zambia with a total length of 2735 kilometres Most of Zambias Rivers such as the Kafue Luangwa and Lunsemfwa and other streams drain their waters into the Zambezi River The Zambezi River passes through floodplains and swamps It winds its way through Angola along the borders of Namibia Botswana Mozambique and Zimbabwe before pouring its waters into the Indian Ocean The river provides drinking water fish and irrigation for agriculture transport hydro-electric power and tourism for over 32 million people living along its basin In recent times climate change coupled with environmental degradation has increased the annual flooding seen along some stretches of the river Frequent flooding of the River has made the people living along its basin to live in a perpetual and devastating cycle of displacement and suffering Their capacity towards disaster preparedness promotion of food security and livelihoods is heavily compromised by the extreme weather pattern caused by climate change Farming households living along the Zambezi River Basin have limited capacity to produce food that could sustain them the whole year round As such the need to address the vulnerability of the people living along the Zambezi River Basin so that they become more resilient and secure from food insecurity caused by disasters remains indispensable

Page 7

Figure 1 Map of Zambia and Facts

KEY FACTS

Location Southern Africa landlocked country east of Angola Land area 740724 sq km

Population (2014 est) 14638505

Capital Lusaka Climate Generally dry amp temperate tropical modified by altitude rainy season (Oct to April) Unemployment 15 (2008 est)

Page 6

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

11 Country Context ZAMBIA

Zambia is situated in the tropical South-Central part of Africa The country has a temperate climate The low-lying areas like the valleys of the Zambezi Luangwa and Kafue Rivers and the shores of the Countrys Lakes have the highest temperatures in the country The hottest months of the year are from August to October with May to July being slightly cooler The rainy season begins in the middle of November and lasts until April Rainfall is generally highest in the Northern parts of Zambia and decreases from Northern to Southern parts of the country The Zambezi River is the longest River in Zambia with a total length of 2735 kilometres Most of Zambias Rivers such as the Kafue Luangwa and Lunsemfwa and other streams drain their waters into the Zambezi River The Zambezi River passes through floodplains and swamps It winds its way through Angola along the borders of Namibia Botswana Mozambique and Zimbabwe before pouring its waters into the Indian Ocean The river provides drinking water fish and irrigation for agriculture transport hydro-electric power and tourism for over 32 million people living along its basin In recent times climate change coupled with environmental degradation has increased the annual flooding seen along some stretches of the river Frequent flooding of the River has made the people living along its basin to live in a perpetual and devastating cycle of displacement and suffering Their capacity towards disaster preparedness promotion of food security and livelihoods is heavily compromised by the extreme weather pattern caused by climate change Farming households living along the Zambezi River Basin have limited capacity to produce food that could sustain them the whole year round As such the need to address the vulnerability of the people living along the Zambezi River Basin so that they become more resilient and secure from food insecurity caused by disasters remains indispensable

Page 7

Figure 1 Map of Zambia and Facts

KEY FACTS

Location Southern Africa landlocked country east of Angola Land area 740724 sq km

Population (2014 est) 14638505

Capital Lusaka Climate Generally dry amp temperate tropical modified by altitude rainy season (Oct to April) Unemployment 15 (2008 est)

Page 7

Figure 1 Map of Zambia and Facts

KEY FACTS

Location Southern Africa landlocked country east of Angola Land area 740724 sq km

Population (2014 est) 14638505

Capital Lusaka Climate Generally dry amp temperate tropical modified by altitude rainy season (Oct to April) Unemployment 15 (2008 est)

Page 8

Chapter II

THE ZAMBEZI RIVER INITIATIVE

21 Promotion of Food Security and Disaster Preparedness along the Zambezi

River Basin

The Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) was an initiative developed in order to increase food security in the face of increased disasters like drought and flooding on communities living along the Zambezi River basin The initiative was essentially an extension service that built the capacities of rural communities especially farmers to withstand the stress of disasters on their sources of food and livelihoods The initiative developed skills for communities to become more prepared for disasters Further the initiative enables communities to engage in various improved agricultural activities The Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) mobilised vulnerable farmers and built their capacities to produce enough food for their households using a strategy called Lead Farmer or Farmer-to-Farmer strategy The strategy used farmers to engage fellow farmers to adopt improved farming methods It is for this reason that strategy is referred to as ldquoFarmer-to-Farmerrdquo or ldquoLead Farmerrdquo strategy In other instances Farmers who lead others using this strategy are referred to as Promoters or Trainers (Franzel 2010) 4 to emphasize the Farmer to Farmer networking and Skills Transfer activities The success of Lead Farmer strategy described in the Zambezi River Basin Initiative was highly dependent on the dynamics of (social) Mobilisation (beneficiary) Engagement and Communication

4 Steve Franzel (2010) Farmer to Farmer Extension Approaches ICRAF Brent Simpson MSU

The Zambezi River ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 9

Chapter III

LEAD FARMER STRATEGY

31 THE WAY THE LEAD FARMER STRATEGY WORKS 311 The Community Lead farmer Strategy is based in the community Vulnerable farmers in the community are identified as beneficiaries requiring agricultural skills support to enable them grow crops that can survive droughts or floods The process of identifying vulnerable farmers is led by Community leaders while the Area Agriculture Extension Officer and the Zambia Red Cross Project Officer provides technical support in the farmer identification process This kind of technical support is essential to ensure that eligible and correct beneficiaries are targeted for support 312 The Agriculture Extension Officer ldquoI use demonstration sites to teach farmers new agricultural techniques that help them obtain excellent yields

under the prevailing harsh weather conditions I make sure that the results from the demonstration site are

excellent visible and significant enough for farmers to try out in their fieldsrdquo says Gister Kampamba an

Agriculture Extension Officer from Lusu village in Sesheke District of Zambia

An Agriculture Extension Officer Gister Kampamba working in his Field ndash Photo Bruce Mulenga

The Lead Farmer Strategy begins with an Agriculture Extension Officer5 who establishes a demonstration field in the community From the demonstration field

5 An Agriculture Extension Officer is normally a Government worker who is assigned to provide extension

services to a number of communities called Agriculture Zone An Agriculture Zone is a group of farming

communities brought together

Page 10

an Agriculture Extension Officer demonstrates several agriculture skills that enable his crops grow exceedingly well As farmers see how well the crops in the demonstration field are growing they get attracted to learning from him The Agriculture Extension Officer uses the demonstration field to sharpen farmersrsquo knowledge and skills such as land preparation Crop management Harvesting and Storage and in the case of animal rearing Animal house construction and Animal management skills over a period of time It is the successful production of excellent results that are visible and significant enough that cause farmers in the community to emulate the Agriculture Extension Officer

313 The Lead Farmers ldquoI became a Lead Farmer after receiving intensive coaching from an Agriculture Extension Officer I succeeded

to produce excellent yields that marveled others in the community and they opted to come and learn from me I

currently have ten follower farmers that I am teaching using my field as a demonstration fieldrdquo boasts Chrispin

Mabuku of Mumbela village in Kazungula

A Lead Farmer standing in his field in Sikaunzwe village of Kazungula District ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

When some farmers in the community gain experience of how to properly manage agriculture ventures they replicate them into their household fields The Agriculture Extension Officer provides guidance to such few farmers as they replicate the activities in their fields With such support the farmers succeed to produce excellent results that are visible and significant enough for other community farmers to imitate These first successful farmers in the community are named as Lead Farmers because they are capable of showing and influencing other farmers to imitate their farming styles Like the Agriculture Extension Officer Lead farmers use on-farm demonstrations a real farming experience and an effective means of reducing the risks follower farmers perceive They ensure that the demonstrations produce results that are visible and significant enough to convince follower farmers to try the new practices

Page 11

314 The Follower Farmers ldquoWhen I noticed how well my Lead Farmer was able to produce his crops I opted to learn from him I become

his follower farmer and learnt from him how to grow vegetables Today I am a proud woman who is able to

grow enough food in harsh weather conditions and able to produce great yields to feed my familyrdquo said Charity

Sililo of Lusu East in Sesheke District

Follower Farmer harvesting Vegetables from her Field ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Community members who get inspired by the positive farming results of Lead Farmers opt to try out their skills in their fields Before they try out in their fields they begin by attending practical lessons in the Lead Farmerrsquos field The Lead Farmer teaches them practical lessons using on-farm demonstrations of a real farming experience Through such demonstrations Follower Farmers master relevant and beneficial agriculture skills From the demonstration fields they see visible and significant results that convince them to try out the new agriculture skills in their fields In this process Lead Farmers provide close supervision to Follower Farmers as they replicate the skills into the fields As a result Follower Farmers succeed to produce excellent results to make even others get more interested and try out farming or livestock rearing As Lead Farmers and Follower Farmers become masters in farming they become influencers of new entrants into their farming community This produces a continuous spiral of persuasion of community members into farming community with the ability to produce enough food for their households and their communities

Page 12

Chapter IV

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION IN LEAD FARMER STRATEGY

41 MOBILISATION ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION Lead Farmer strategy is a practical Agriculture Extension service driven by farming communities It involves a combination of three social factors namely mobilisation engagement and communication The three factors combine together to catalyse the transference of agricultural skills from the Agriculture Extension Officer through lead farmers to Follower Farmers The catalyser in this processional strategy is Skills transfer Adoption of farming techniques while the net effect is Agriculture productivity in the face of disasters Below is a picturesque illustration of how the three social factors stated above combine together to funnel Skills transfer and the adoption of new agriculture innovations to enable agriculture productivity in the face of disasters

Figure 1 Funnel Presentation of three Social necessitators of knowledge transfer

The above figure illustrates the mix of Mobilisation Engagement and Communication interacts to catalyse adoption of Agriculture innovations and enable Agriculture productivity in times of disasters among farmers Thus the three aspects when combined together necessitate the adoption of new agriculture practices and enable farmers to become productive

Skills Transfer to Farmers

Communication

Beneficiary Engagement

Beneficiary Mobilisation

Page 13

412 Farmer Mobilisation ldquoCommunity mobilisation as a process of engaging communities to identify their priorities needs and solutions in such a way as to promote participation and peaceful change and remaining active and empowered was used to make farmers pursue new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practicesrdquo

Community members curious to become farmers are brought together in self selecting groups Various methods are used to influence their goodwill and propel their willingness to break their individual barriers so that trust belief and good relations among them flourish This process is important for farmers to give up their individual prejudices so that they are able to play to the common and genuine purpose of becoming successful farmers6 As such skills from the concept of community mobilisation were utilised to cultivate this sense of trust belief confidence good-will and willingness to develop good relations among each other for the purpose of pursuing a common good of learning new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices and eventually becoming community that is food secure in times of disasters In other words farmers were brought together and influenced to facilitate their

participation towards learning and engaging in new improved practices that

generate food security in times of deficit The process empower farmers to assert

their right to have improved agriculture services and inputs that enable them to

participate effectively in the process of generating food security

6 httpwwwuniceforgcbscindex_42347html

A group of Farmers brought together from diverse backgrounds at Sikuzu Village in Mwandi district to create connections to bridge cultural religious and individual barriers ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 14

413 Farmer Engagement ldquoCommunity Engagement is the process of building relationships with community members who will

work side-by-side with you as an ongoing partner in any and every way imaginable building an

army of support for your mission with the end goal of making the community a better place to liverdquo

Charity Sililo a Farmer Working with a fellow Farmer in her Field ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

After farmers were brought together and developed good relations among each

other a process to establish links and connections among individual group members

of farmers to work together was initiated

The links helped to positively shape and promote a more collective principled and effective farmer community with a sole action of adopting new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices Additionally several activities were undertaken to ensure ownership of activities undertaken based on sound review of their farming lessons conducted in their demonstration fields Thus without farmer engagement the pursuance of the farmersrsquo goal in a collective Principled and effective manner would be weaker and difficult This can render the adoption of new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices among farmers in the Zambezi River Basin a failure

Page 15

414 Communication After farmers are mobilised and engaged mutual communication and deliberations regarding new agriculture skills disaster preparedness resilience and food security with farmers is effected using various methods By using various methods of communication farmers interact with each other and freely share their thoughts and ideas in a more dialogical manner that raise arguments and criticism among themselves about the information they receive This makes a community of farmers become an active discursive community which promotes greater involvement and participation and enhances the realization of their greater goal which is ldquoImproved disaster preparedness and food securityrdquo Demonstration fields acted as platforms where new agricultural innovations are taken out of the unreal scientific realm of the research station and placed firmly within the bounds of farmers everyday visible experiences 4141 Communication Methods Various types of Communication methods that include a mix of community media are essential in driving Lead Farmer strategy Communication tools that meet the visual and audio literacy levels of the majority of farmers are indispensable to attract attention and provide explanations on agriculture demonstration activities in Lead Farmer strategy of the Zambezi River Basin Initiative in Zambia 4142 Communication Tools for Community Media Some of the communication tools that deliver explanatory messages on new and improved agriculture techniques to farmers included

Meetings Farmers meet in their groups to discuss and share their experiences and challenges they face during implementation of new agriculture ideas

Drama or Theatre Theatre and role plays are performed to foster explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agriculture

Traditional songs and Tales Explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agricultural are often coined in various different traditional songs and tales to support and accompany messages of new agriculture innovations and disaster preparedness

Text messages (SMS) Farmers exchange text messages on various agriculture topics and consult each other to overcome challenges they face Agriculture Extension Officers and Lead Farmers utilise text messages to foster critical agriculture and disaster preparedness messages

Complaints and response mechanisms Farmers conduct regular feedback on various lessons and practices learnt during field demonstration exercises

The above mentioned tools are essential in fostering adoption of resilient practices towards disasters and learning of food security practices by farmers living along the Zambezi River Basin

Page 16

Community Theatre Group dancing to a Song that explains New Ideas on Agriculture Innovations in Mambova village of Kazungula district - Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 17

Chapter V

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF LEAD FARMER STRATEGY Lead farmer strategy resulted in greater positive impacts among the people living in the Zambezi River Basin Thus

Over 22000 households living along the Zambezi River Basin in both Sesheke and Kazungula districts of Zambia are able to embrace new practices in disaster preparedness and Food security despite increased droughts and irregular rain patterns caused by climate change

Households have improved their agriculture skills and have become successful farmers who manage to produce best results even in times of drought

Households are able to support their families by growing enough food crops to eat and supplement their diet

Households are able to earn extra income to pay medical and educational bills for their children from the sale of extra food

Overall the contribution of Lead Farmer strategy on the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) has promoted viable livelihoods of beneficiaries and has accelerated Beneficiary household economic growth It is for this reason that Lead Farmer strategy if used in combination with a mix of community media should be considered as a potentially viable strategy that is able to propel vulnerable communities affected by disasters and climate change to food secure communities CONCLUSION

Lead farmer strategy has demonstrated great potential in promoting agriculture production and viable livelihoods even in the environment where increased effects of climate change have occurred In the case of the Zambezi River Basin where the majority of the people suffered acute food insecurity and loss of livelihoods due to increased droughts and irregular rain patterns lead farmer strategy has assisted them to adopt new farming skills and disaster resilient practices to rebuild their livelihoods Because of the many positives scored lead farmer strategy has proved to be a blueprint model for other communities facing similar crises and challenges As such Lead farmer strategy remains an empirical concept in the Agriculture Extension Service that relies on the power of communication and persuasion needing deeper academic investigation

Page 18

Page 9

Chapter III

LEAD FARMER STRATEGY

31 THE WAY THE LEAD FARMER STRATEGY WORKS 311 The Community Lead farmer Strategy is based in the community Vulnerable farmers in the community are identified as beneficiaries requiring agricultural skills support to enable them grow crops that can survive droughts or floods The process of identifying vulnerable farmers is led by Community leaders while the Area Agriculture Extension Officer and the Zambia Red Cross Project Officer provides technical support in the farmer identification process This kind of technical support is essential to ensure that eligible and correct beneficiaries are targeted for support 312 The Agriculture Extension Officer ldquoI use demonstration sites to teach farmers new agricultural techniques that help them obtain excellent yields

under the prevailing harsh weather conditions I make sure that the results from the demonstration site are

excellent visible and significant enough for farmers to try out in their fieldsrdquo says Gister Kampamba an

Agriculture Extension Officer from Lusu village in Sesheke District of Zambia

An Agriculture Extension Officer Gister Kampamba working in his Field ndash Photo Bruce Mulenga

The Lead Farmer Strategy begins with an Agriculture Extension Officer5 who establishes a demonstration field in the community From the demonstration field

5 An Agriculture Extension Officer is normally a Government worker who is assigned to provide extension

services to a number of communities called Agriculture Zone An Agriculture Zone is a group of farming

communities brought together

Page 10

an Agriculture Extension Officer demonstrates several agriculture skills that enable his crops grow exceedingly well As farmers see how well the crops in the demonstration field are growing they get attracted to learning from him The Agriculture Extension Officer uses the demonstration field to sharpen farmersrsquo knowledge and skills such as land preparation Crop management Harvesting and Storage and in the case of animal rearing Animal house construction and Animal management skills over a period of time It is the successful production of excellent results that are visible and significant enough that cause farmers in the community to emulate the Agriculture Extension Officer

313 The Lead Farmers ldquoI became a Lead Farmer after receiving intensive coaching from an Agriculture Extension Officer I succeeded

to produce excellent yields that marveled others in the community and they opted to come and learn from me I

currently have ten follower farmers that I am teaching using my field as a demonstration fieldrdquo boasts Chrispin

Mabuku of Mumbela village in Kazungula

A Lead Farmer standing in his field in Sikaunzwe village of Kazungula District ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

When some farmers in the community gain experience of how to properly manage agriculture ventures they replicate them into their household fields The Agriculture Extension Officer provides guidance to such few farmers as they replicate the activities in their fields With such support the farmers succeed to produce excellent results that are visible and significant enough for other community farmers to imitate These first successful farmers in the community are named as Lead Farmers because they are capable of showing and influencing other farmers to imitate their farming styles Like the Agriculture Extension Officer Lead farmers use on-farm demonstrations a real farming experience and an effective means of reducing the risks follower farmers perceive They ensure that the demonstrations produce results that are visible and significant enough to convince follower farmers to try the new practices

Page 11

314 The Follower Farmers ldquoWhen I noticed how well my Lead Farmer was able to produce his crops I opted to learn from him I become

his follower farmer and learnt from him how to grow vegetables Today I am a proud woman who is able to

grow enough food in harsh weather conditions and able to produce great yields to feed my familyrdquo said Charity

Sililo of Lusu East in Sesheke District

Follower Farmer harvesting Vegetables from her Field ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Community members who get inspired by the positive farming results of Lead Farmers opt to try out their skills in their fields Before they try out in their fields they begin by attending practical lessons in the Lead Farmerrsquos field The Lead Farmer teaches them practical lessons using on-farm demonstrations of a real farming experience Through such demonstrations Follower Farmers master relevant and beneficial agriculture skills From the demonstration fields they see visible and significant results that convince them to try out the new agriculture skills in their fields In this process Lead Farmers provide close supervision to Follower Farmers as they replicate the skills into the fields As a result Follower Farmers succeed to produce excellent results to make even others get more interested and try out farming or livestock rearing As Lead Farmers and Follower Farmers become masters in farming they become influencers of new entrants into their farming community This produces a continuous spiral of persuasion of community members into farming community with the ability to produce enough food for their households and their communities

Page 12

Chapter IV

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION IN LEAD FARMER STRATEGY

41 MOBILISATION ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION Lead Farmer strategy is a practical Agriculture Extension service driven by farming communities It involves a combination of three social factors namely mobilisation engagement and communication The three factors combine together to catalyse the transference of agricultural skills from the Agriculture Extension Officer through lead farmers to Follower Farmers The catalyser in this processional strategy is Skills transfer Adoption of farming techniques while the net effect is Agriculture productivity in the face of disasters Below is a picturesque illustration of how the three social factors stated above combine together to funnel Skills transfer and the adoption of new agriculture innovations to enable agriculture productivity in the face of disasters

Figure 1 Funnel Presentation of three Social necessitators of knowledge transfer

The above figure illustrates the mix of Mobilisation Engagement and Communication interacts to catalyse adoption of Agriculture innovations and enable Agriculture productivity in times of disasters among farmers Thus the three aspects when combined together necessitate the adoption of new agriculture practices and enable farmers to become productive

Skills Transfer to Farmers

Communication

Beneficiary Engagement

Beneficiary Mobilisation

Page 13

412 Farmer Mobilisation ldquoCommunity mobilisation as a process of engaging communities to identify their priorities needs and solutions in such a way as to promote participation and peaceful change and remaining active and empowered was used to make farmers pursue new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practicesrdquo

Community members curious to become farmers are brought together in self selecting groups Various methods are used to influence their goodwill and propel their willingness to break their individual barriers so that trust belief and good relations among them flourish This process is important for farmers to give up their individual prejudices so that they are able to play to the common and genuine purpose of becoming successful farmers6 As such skills from the concept of community mobilisation were utilised to cultivate this sense of trust belief confidence good-will and willingness to develop good relations among each other for the purpose of pursuing a common good of learning new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices and eventually becoming community that is food secure in times of disasters In other words farmers were brought together and influenced to facilitate their

participation towards learning and engaging in new improved practices that

generate food security in times of deficit The process empower farmers to assert

their right to have improved agriculture services and inputs that enable them to

participate effectively in the process of generating food security

6 httpwwwuniceforgcbscindex_42347html

A group of Farmers brought together from diverse backgrounds at Sikuzu Village in Mwandi district to create connections to bridge cultural religious and individual barriers ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 14

413 Farmer Engagement ldquoCommunity Engagement is the process of building relationships with community members who will

work side-by-side with you as an ongoing partner in any and every way imaginable building an

army of support for your mission with the end goal of making the community a better place to liverdquo

Charity Sililo a Farmer Working with a fellow Farmer in her Field ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

After farmers were brought together and developed good relations among each

other a process to establish links and connections among individual group members

of farmers to work together was initiated

The links helped to positively shape and promote a more collective principled and effective farmer community with a sole action of adopting new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices Additionally several activities were undertaken to ensure ownership of activities undertaken based on sound review of their farming lessons conducted in their demonstration fields Thus without farmer engagement the pursuance of the farmersrsquo goal in a collective Principled and effective manner would be weaker and difficult This can render the adoption of new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices among farmers in the Zambezi River Basin a failure

Page 15

414 Communication After farmers are mobilised and engaged mutual communication and deliberations regarding new agriculture skills disaster preparedness resilience and food security with farmers is effected using various methods By using various methods of communication farmers interact with each other and freely share their thoughts and ideas in a more dialogical manner that raise arguments and criticism among themselves about the information they receive This makes a community of farmers become an active discursive community which promotes greater involvement and participation and enhances the realization of their greater goal which is ldquoImproved disaster preparedness and food securityrdquo Demonstration fields acted as platforms where new agricultural innovations are taken out of the unreal scientific realm of the research station and placed firmly within the bounds of farmers everyday visible experiences 4141 Communication Methods Various types of Communication methods that include a mix of community media are essential in driving Lead Farmer strategy Communication tools that meet the visual and audio literacy levels of the majority of farmers are indispensable to attract attention and provide explanations on agriculture demonstration activities in Lead Farmer strategy of the Zambezi River Basin Initiative in Zambia 4142 Communication Tools for Community Media Some of the communication tools that deliver explanatory messages on new and improved agriculture techniques to farmers included

Meetings Farmers meet in their groups to discuss and share their experiences and challenges they face during implementation of new agriculture ideas

Drama or Theatre Theatre and role plays are performed to foster explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agriculture

Traditional songs and Tales Explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agricultural are often coined in various different traditional songs and tales to support and accompany messages of new agriculture innovations and disaster preparedness

Text messages (SMS) Farmers exchange text messages on various agriculture topics and consult each other to overcome challenges they face Agriculture Extension Officers and Lead Farmers utilise text messages to foster critical agriculture and disaster preparedness messages

Complaints and response mechanisms Farmers conduct regular feedback on various lessons and practices learnt during field demonstration exercises

The above mentioned tools are essential in fostering adoption of resilient practices towards disasters and learning of food security practices by farmers living along the Zambezi River Basin

Page 16

Community Theatre Group dancing to a Song that explains New Ideas on Agriculture Innovations in Mambova village of Kazungula district - Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 17

Chapter V

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF LEAD FARMER STRATEGY Lead farmer strategy resulted in greater positive impacts among the people living in the Zambezi River Basin Thus

Over 22000 households living along the Zambezi River Basin in both Sesheke and Kazungula districts of Zambia are able to embrace new practices in disaster preparedness and Food security despite increased droughts and irregular rain patterns caused by climate change

Households have improved their agriculture skills and have become successful farmers who manage to produce best results even in times of drought

Households are able to support their families by growing enough food crops to eat and supplement their diet

Households are able to earn extra income to pay medical and educational bills for their children from the sale of extra food

Overall the contribution of Lead Farmer strategy on the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) has promoted viable livelihoods of beneficiaries and has accelerated Beneficiary household economic growth It is for this reason that Lead Farmer strategy if used in combination with a mix of community media should be considered as a potentially viable strategy that is able to propel vulnerable communities affected by disasters and climate change to food secure communities CONCLUSION

Lead farmer strategy has demonstrated great potential in promoting agriculture production and viable livelihoods even in the environment where increased effects of climate change have occurred In the case of the Zambezi River Basin where the majority of the people suffered acute food insecurity and loss of livelihoods due to increased droughts and irregular rain patterns lead farmer strategy has assisted them to adopt new farming skills and disaster resilient practices to rebuild their livelihoods Because of the many positives scored lead farmer strategy has proved to be a blueprint model for other communities facing similar crises and challenges As such Lead farmer strategy remains an empirical concept in the Agriculture Extension Service that relies on the power of communication and persuasion needing deeper academic investigation

Page 18

Page 10

an Agriculture Extension Officer demonstrates several agriculture skills that enable his crops grow exceedingly well As farmers see how well the crops in the demonstration field are growing they get attracted to learning from him The Agriculture Extension Officer uses the demonstration field to sharpen farmersrsquo knowledge and skills such as land preparation Crop management Harvesting and Storage and in the case of animal rearing Animal house construction and Animal management skills over a period of time It is the successful production of excellent results that are visible and significant enough that cause farmers in the community to emulate the Agriculture Extension Officer

313 The Lead Farmers ldquoI became a Lead Farmer after receiving intensive coaching from an Agriculture Extension Officer I succeeded

to produce excellent yields that marveled others in the community and they opted to come and learn from me I

currently have ten follower farmers that I am teaching using my field as a demonstration fieldrdquo boasts Chrispin

Mabuku of Mumbela village in Kazungula

A Lead Farmer standing in his field in Sikaunzwe village of Kazungula District ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

When some farmers in the community gain experience of how to properly manage agriculture ventures they replicate them into their household fields The Agriculture Extension Officer provides guidance to such few farmers as they replicate the activities in their fields With such support the farmers succeed to produce excellent results that are visible and significant enough for other community farmers to imitate These first successful farmers in the community are named as Lead Farmers because they are capable of showing and influencing other farmers to imitate their farming styles Like the Agriculture Extension Officer Lead farmers use on-farm demonstrations a real farming experience and an effective means of reducing the risks follower farmers perceive They ensure that the demonstrations produce results that are visible and significant enough to convince follower farmers to try the new practices

Page 11

314 The Follower Farmers ldquoWhen I noticed how well my Lead Farmer was able to produce his crops I opted to learn from him I become

his follower farmer and learnt from him how to grow vegetables Today I am a proud woman who is able to

grow enough food in harsh weather conditions and able to produce great yields to feed my familyrdquo said Charity

Sililo of Lusu East in Sesheke District

Follower Farmer harvesting Vegetables from her Field ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Community members who get inspired by the positive farming results of Lead Farmers opt to try out their skills in their fields Before they try out in their fields they begin by attending practical lessons in the Lead Farmerrsquos field The Lead Farmer teaches them practical lessons using on-farm demonstrations of a real farming experience Through such demonstrations Follower Farmers master relevant and beneficial agriculture skills From the demonstration fields they see visible and significant results that convince them to try out the new agriculture skills in their fields In this process Lead Farmers provide close supervision to Follower Farmers as they replicate the skills into the fields As a result Follower Farmers succeed to produce excellent results to make even others get more interested and try out farming or livestock rearing As Lead Farmers and Follower Farmers become masters in farming they become influencers of new entrants into their farming community This produces a continuous spiral of persuasion of community members into farming community with the ability to produce enough food for their households and their communities

Page 12

Chapter IV

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION IN LEAD FARMER STRATEGY

41 MOBILISATION ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION Lead Farmer strategy is a practical Agriculture Extension service driven by farming communities It involves a combination of three social factors namely mobilisation engagement and communication The three factors combine together to catalyse the transference of agricultural skills from the Agriculture Extension Officer through lead farmers to Follower Farmers The catalyser in this processional strategy is Skills transfer Adoption of farming techniques while the net effect is Agriculture productivity in the face of disasters Below is a picturesque illustration of how the three social factors stated above combine together to funnel Skills transfer and the adoption of new agriculture innovations to enable agriculture productivity in the face of disasters

Figure 1 Funnel Presentation of three Social necessitators of knowledge transfer

The above figure illustrates the mix of Mobilisation Engagement and Communication interacts to catalyse adoption of Agriculture innovations and enable Agriculture productivity in times of disasters among farmers Thus the three aspects when combined together necessitate the adoption of new agriculture practices and enable farmers to become productive

Skills Transfer to Farmers

Communication

Beneficiary Engagement

Beneficiary Mobilisation

Page 13

412 Farmer Mobilisation ldquoCommunity mobilisation as a process of engaging communities to identify their priorities needs and solutions in such a way as to promote participation and peaceful change and remaining active and empowered was used to make farmers pursue new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practicesrdquo

Community members curious to become farmers are brought together in self selecting groups Various methods are used to influence their goodwill and propel their willingness to break their individual barriers so that trust belief and good relations among them flourish This process is important for farmers to give up their individual prejudices so that they are able to play to the common and genuine purpose of becoming successful farmers6 As such skills from the concept of community mobilisation were utilised to cultivate this sense of trust belief confidence good-will and willingness to develop good relations among each other for the purpose of pursuing a common good of learning new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices and eventually becoming community that is food secure in times of disasters In other words farmers were brought together and influenced to facilitate their

participation towards learning and engaging in new improved practices that

generate food security in times of deficit The process empower farmers to assert

their right to have improved agriculture services and inputs that enable them to

participate effectively in the process of generating food security

6 httpwwwuniceforgcbscindex_42347html

A group of Farmers brought together from diverse backgrounds at Sikuzu Village in Mwandi district to create connections to bridge cultural religious and individual barriers ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 14

413 Farmer Engagement ldquoCommunity Engagement is the process of building relationships with community members who will

work side-by-side with you as an ongoing partner in any and every way imaginable building an

army of support for your mission with the end goal of making the community a better place to liverdquo

Charity Sililo a Farmer Working with a fellow Farmer in her Field ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

After farmers were brought together and developed good relations among each

other a process to establish links and connections among individual group members

of farmers to work together was initiated

The links helped to positively shape and promote a more collective principled and effective farmer community with a sole action of adopting new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices Additionally several activities were undertaken to ensure ownership of activities undertaken based on sound review of their farming lessons conducted in their demonstration fields Thus without farmer engagement the pursuance of the farmersrsquo goal in a collective Principled and effective manner would be weaker and difficult This can render the adoption of new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices among farmers in the Zambezi River Basin a failure

Page 15

414 Communication After farmers are mobilised and engaged mutual communication and deliberations regarding new agriculture skills disaster preparedness resilience and food security with farmers is effected using various methods By using various methods of communication farmers interact with each other and freely share their thoughts and ideas in a more dialogical manner that raise arguments and criticism among themselves about the information they receive This makes a community of farmers become an active discursive community which promotes greater involvement and participation and enhances the realization of their greater goal which is ldquoImproved disaster preparedness and food securityrdquo Demonstration fields acted as platforms where new agricultural innovations are taken out of the unreal scientific realm of the research station and placed firmly within the bounds of farmers everyday visible experiences 4141 Communication Methods Various types of Communication methods that include a mix of community media are essential in driving Lead Farmer strategy Communication tools that meet the visual and audio literacy levels of the majority of farmers are indispensable to attract attention and provide explanations on agriculture demonstration activities in Lead Farmer strategy of the Zambezi River Basin Initiative in Zambia 4142 Communication Tools for Community Media Some of the communication tools that deliver explanatory messages on new and improved agriculture techniques to farmers included

Meetings Farmers meet in their groups to discuss and share their experiences and challenges they face during implementation of new agriculture ideas

Drama or Theatre Theatre and role plays are performed to foster explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agriculture

Traditional songs and Tales Explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agricultural are often coined in various different traditional songs and tales to support and accompany messages of new agriculture innovations and disaster preparedness

Text messages (SMS) Farmers exchange text messages on various agriculture topics and consult each other to overcome challenges they face Agriculture Extension Officers and Lead Farmers utilise text messages to foster critical agriculture and disaster preparedness messages

Complaints and response mechanisms Farmers conduct regular feedback on various lessons and practices learnt during field demonstration exercises

The above mentioned tools are essential in fostering adoption of resilient practices towards disasters and learning of food security practices by farmers living along the Zambezi River Basin

Page 16

Community Theatre Group dancing to a Song that explains New Ideas on Agriculture Innovations in Mambova village of Kazungula district - Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 17

Chapter V

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF LEAD FARMER STRATEGY Lead farmer strategy resulted in greater positive impacts among the people living in the Zambezi River Basin Thus

Over 22000 households living along the Zambezi River Basin in both Sesheke and Kazungula districts of Zambia are able to embrace new practices in disaster preparedness and Food security despite increased droughts and irregular rain patterns caused by climate change

Households have improved their agriculture skills and have become successful farmers who manage to produce best results even in times of drought

Households are able to support their families by growing enough food crops to eat and supplement their diet

Households are able to earn extra income to pay medical and educational bills for their children from the sale of extra food

Overall the contribution of Lead Farmer strategy on the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) has promoted viable livelihoods of beneficiaries and has accelerated Beneficiary household economic growth It is for this reason that Lead Farmer strategy if used in combination with a mix of community media should be considered as a potentially viable strategy that is able to propel vulnerable communities affected by disasters and climate change to food secure communities CONCLUSION

Lead farmer strategy has demonstrated great potential in promoting agriculture production and viable livelihoods even in the environment where increased effects of climate change have occurred In the case of the Zambezi River Basin where the majority of the people suffered acute food insecurity and loss of livelihoods due to increased droughts and irregular rain patterns lead farmer strategy has assisted them to adopt new farming skills and disaster resilient practices to rebuild their livelihoods Because of the many positives scored lead farmer strategy has proved to be a blueprint model for other communities facing similar crises and challenges As such Lead farmer strategy remains an empirical concept in the Agriculture Extension Service that relies on the power of communication and persuasion needing deeper academic investigation

Page 18

Page 11

314 The Follower Farmers ldquoWhen I noticed how well my Lead Farmer was able to produce his crops I opted to learn from him I become

his follower farmer and learnt from him how to grow vegetables Today I am a proud woman who is able to

grow enough food in harsh weather conditions and able to produce great yields to feed my familyrdquo said Charity

Sililo of Lusu East in Sesheke District

Follower Farmer harvesting Vegetables from her Field ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Community members who get inspired by the positive farming results of Lead Farmers opt to try out their skills in their fields Before they try out in their fields they begin by attending practical lessons in the Lead Farmerrsquos field The Lead Farmer teaches them practical lessons using on-farm demonstrations of a real farming experience Through such demonstrations Follower Farmers master relevant and beneficial agriculture skills From the demonstration fields they see visible and significant results that convince them to try out the new agriculture skills in their fields In this process Lead Farmers provide close supervision to Follower Farmers as they replicate the skills into the fields As a result Follower Farmers succeed to produce excellent results to make even others get more interested and try out farming or livestock rearing As Lead Farmers and Follower Farmers become masters in farming they become influencers of new entrants into their farming community This produces a continuous spiral of persuasion of community members into farming community with the ability to produce enough food for their households and their communities

Page 12

Chapter IV

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION IN LEAD FARMER STRATEGY

41 MOBILISATION ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION Lead Farmer strategy is a practical Agriculture Extension service driven by farming communities It involves a combination of three social factors namely mobilisation engagement and communication The three factors combine together to catalyse the transference of agricultural skills from the Agriculture Extension Officer through lead farmers to Follower Farmers The catalyser in this processional strategy is Skills transfer Adoption of farming techniques while the net effect is Agriculture productivity in the face of disasters Below is a picturesque illustration of how the three social factors stated above combine together to funnel Skills transfer and the adoption of new agriculture innovations to enable agriculture productivity in the face of disasters

Figure 1 Funnel Presentation of three Social necessitators of knowledge transfer

The above figure illustrates the mix of Mobilisation Engagement and Communication interacts to catalyse adoption of Agriculture innovations and enable Agriculture productivity in times of disasters among farmers Thus the three aspects when combined together necessitate the adoption of new agriculture practices and enable farmers to become productive

Skills Transfer to Farmers

Communication

Beneficiary Engagement

Beneficiary Mobilisation

Page 13

412 Farmer Mobilisation ldquoCommunity mobilisation as a process of engaging communities to identify their priorities needs and solutions in such a way as to promote participation and peaceful change and remaining active and empowered was used to make farmers pursue new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practicesrdquo

Community members curious to become farmers are brought together in self selecting groups Various methods are used to influence their goodwill and propel their willingness to break their individual barriers so that trust belief and good relations among them flourish This process is important for farmers to give up their individual prejudices so that they are able to play to the common and genuine purpose of becoming successful farmers6 As such skills from the concept of community mobilisation were utilised to cultivate this sense of trust belief confidence good-will and willingness to develop good relations among each other for the purpose of pursuing a common good of learning new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices and eventually becoming community that is food secure in times of disasters In other words farmers were brought together and influenced to facilitate their

participation towards learning and engaging in new improved practices that

generate food security in times of deficit The process empower farmers to assert

their right to have improved agriculture services and inputs that enable them to

participate effectively in the process of generating food security

6 httpwwwuniceforgcbscindex_42347html

A group of Farmers brought together from diverse backgrounds at Sikuzu Village in Mwandi district to create connections to bridge cultural religious and individual barriers ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 14

413 Farmer Engagement ldquoCommunity Engagement is the process of building relationships with community members who will

work side-by-side with you as an ongoing partner in any and every way imaginable building an

army of support for your mission with the end goal of making the community a better place to liverdquo

Charity Sililo a Farmer Working with a fellow Farmer in her Field ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

After farmers were brought together and developed good relations among each

other a process to establish links and connections among individual group members

of farmers to work together was initiated

The links helped to positively shape and promote a more collective principled and effective farmer community with a sole action of adopting new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices Additionally several activities were undertaken to ensure ownership of activities undertaken based on sound review of their farming lessons conducted in their demonstration fields Thus without farmer engagement the pursuance of the farmersrsquo goal in a collective Principled and effective manner would be weaker and difficult This can render the adoption of new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices among farmers in the Zambezi River Basin a failure

Page 15

414 Communication After farmers are mobilised and engaged mutual communication and deliberations regarding new agriculture skills disaster preparedness resilience and food security with farmers is effected using various methods By using various methods of communication farmers interact with each other and freely share their thoughts and ideas in a more dialogical manner that raise arguments and criticism among themselves about the information they receive This makes a community of farmers become an active discursive community which promotes greater involvement and participation and enhances the realization of their greater goal which is ldquoImproved disaster preparedness and food securityrdquo Demonstration fields acted as platforms where new agricultural innovations are taken out of the unreal scientific realm of the research station and placed firmly within the bounds of farmers everyday visible experiences 4141 Communication Methods Various types of Communication methods that include a mix of community media are essential in driving Lead Farmer strategy Communication tools that meet the visual and audio literacy levels of the majority of farmers are indispensable to attract attention and provide explanations on agriculture demonstration activities in Lead Farmer strategy of the Zambezi River Basin Initiative in Zambia 4142 Communication Tools for Community Media Some of the communication tools that deliver explanatory messages on new and improved agriculture techniques to farmers included

Meetings Farmers meet in their groups to discuss and share their experiences and challenges they face during implementation of new agriculture ideas

Drama or Theatre Theatre and role plays are performed to foster explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agriculture

Traditional songs and Tales Explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agricultural are often coined in various different traditional songs and tales to support and accompany messages of new agriculture innovations and disaster preparedness

Text messages (SMS) Farmers exchange text messages on various agriculture topics and consult each other to overcome challenges they face Agriculture Extension Officers and Lead Farmers utilise text messages to foster critical agriculture and disaster preparedness messages

Complaints and response mechanisms Farmers conduct regular feedback on various lessons and practices learnt during field demonstration exercises

The above mentioned tools are essential in fostering adoption of resilient practices towards disasters and learning of food security practices by farmers living along the Zambezi River Basin

Page 16

Community Theatre Group dancing to a Song that explains New Ideas on Agriculture Innovations in Mambova village of Kazungula district - Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 17

Chapter V

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF LEAD FARMER STRATEGY Lead farmer strategy resulted in greater positive impacts among the people living in the Zambezi River Basin Thus

Over 22000 households living along the Zambezi River Basin in both Sesheke and Kazungula districts of Zambia are able to embrace new practices in disaster preparedness and Food security despite increased droughts and irregular rain patterns caused by climate change

Households have improved their agriculture skills and have become successful farmers who manage to produce best results even in times of drought

Households are able to support their families by growing enough food crops to eat and supplement their diet

Households are able to earn extra income to pay medical and educational bills for their children from the sale of extra food

Overall the contribution of Lead Farmer strategy on the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) has promoted viable livelihoods of beneficiaries and has accelerated Beneficiary household economic growth It is for this reason that Lead Farmer strategy if used in combination with a mix of community media should be considered as a potentially viable strategy that is able to propel vulnerable communities affected by disasters and climate change to food secure communities CONCLUSION

Lead farmer strategy has demonstrated great potential in promoting agriculture production and viable livelihoods even in the environment where increased effects of climate change have occurred In the case of the Zambezi River Basin where the majority of the people suffered acute food insecurity and loss of livelihoods due to increased droughts and irregular rain patterns lead farmer strategy has assisted them to adopt new farming skills and disaster resilient practices to rebuild their livelihoods Because of the many positives scored lead farmer strategy has proved to be a blueprint model for other communities facing similar crises and challenges As such Lead farmer strategy remains an empirical concept in the Agriculture Extension Service that relies on the power of communication and persuasion needing deeper academic investigation

Page 18

Page 12

Chapter IV

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION IN LEAD FARMER STRATEGY

41 MOBILISATION ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION Lead Farmer strategy is a practical Agriculture Extension service driven by farming communities It involves a combination of three social factors namely mobilisation engagement and communication The three factors combine together to catalyse the transference of agricultural skills from the Agriculture Extension Officer through lead farmers to Follower Farmers The catalyser in this processional strategy is Skills transfer Adoption of farming techniques while the net effect is Agriculture productivity in the face of disasters Below is a picturesque illustration of how the three social factors stated above combine together to funnel Skills transfer and the adoption of new agriculture innovations to enable agriculture productivity in the face of disasters

Figure 1 Funnel Presentation of three Social necessitators of knowledge transfer

The above figure illustrates the mix of Mobilisation Engagement and Communication interacts to catalyse adoption of Agriculture innovations and enable Agriculture productivity in times of disasters among farmers Thus the three aspects when combined together necessitate the adoption of new agriculture practices and enable farmers to become productive

Skills Transfer to Farmers

Communication

Beneficiary Engagement

Beneficiary Mobilisation

Page 13

412 Farmer Mobilisation ldquoCommunity mobilisation as a process of engaging communities to identify their priorities needs and solutions in such a way as to promote participation and peaceful change and remaining active and empowered was used to make farmers pursue new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practicesrdquo

Community members curious to become farmers are brought together in self selecting groups Various methods are used to influence their goodwill and propel their willingness to break their individual barriers so that trust belief and good relations among them flourish This process is important for farmers to give up their individual prejudices so that they are able to play to the common and genuine purpose of becoming successful farmers6 As such skills from the concept of community mobilisation were utilised to cultivate this sense of trust belief confidence good-will and willingness to develop good relations among each other for the purpose of pursuing a common good of learning new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices and eventually becoming community that is food secure in times of disasters In other words farmers were brought together and influenced to facilitate their

participation towards learning and engaging in new improved practices that

generate food security in times of deficit The process empower farmers to assert

their right to have improved agriculture services and inputs that enable them to

participate effectively in the process of generating food security

6 httpwwwuniceforgcbscindex_42347html

A group of Farmers brought together from diverse backgrounds at Sikuzu Village in Mwandi district to create connections to bridge cultural religious and individual barriers ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 14

413 Farmer Engagement ldquoCommunity Engagement is the process of building relationships with community members who will

work side-by-side with you as an ongoing partner in any and every way imaginable building an

army of support for your mission with the end goal of making the community a better place to liverdquo

Charity Sililo a Farmer Working with a fellow Farmer in her Field ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

After farmers were brought together and developed good relations among each

other a process to establish links and connections among individual group members

of farmers to work together was initiated

The links helped to positively shape and promote a more collective principled and effective farmer community with a sole action of adopting new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices Additionally several activities were undertaken to ensure ownership of activities undertaken based on sound review of their farming lessons conducted in their demonstration fields Thus without farmer engagement the pursuance of the farmersrsquo goal in a collective Principled and effective manner would be weaker and difficult This can render the adoption of new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices among farmers in the Zambezi River Basin a failure

Page 15

414 Communication After farmers are mobilised and engaged mutual communication and deliberations regarding new agriculture skills disaster preparedness resilience and food security with farmers is effected using various methods By using various methods of communication farmers interact with each other and freely share their thoughts and ideas in a more dialogical manner that raise arguments and criticism among themselves about the information they receive This makes a community of farmers become an active discursive community which promotes greater involvement and participation and enhances the realization of their greater goal which is ldquoImproved disaster preparedness and food securityrdquo Demonstration fields acted as platforms where new agricultural innovations are taken out of the unreal scientific realm of the research station and placed firmly within the bounds of farmers everyday visible experiences 4141 Communication Methods Various types of Communication methods that include a mix of community media are essential in driving Lead Farmer strategy Communication tools that meet the visual and audio literacy levels of the majority of farmers are indispensable to attract attention and provide explanations on agriculture demonstration activities in Lead Farmer strategy of the Zambezi River Basin Initiative in Zambia 4142 Communication Tools for Community Media Some of the communication tools that deliver explanatory messages on new and improved agriculture techniques to farmers included

Meetings Farmers meet in their groups to discuss and share their experiences and challenges they face during implementation of new agriculture ideas

Drama or Theatre Theatre and role plays are performed to foster explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agriculture

Traditional songs and Tales Explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agricultural are often coined in various different traditional songs and tales to support and accompany messages of new agriculture innovations and disaster preparedness

Text messages (SMS) Farmers exchange text messages on various agriculture topics and consult each other to overcome challenges they face Agriculture Extension Officers and Lead Farmers utilise text messages to foster critical agriculture and disaster preparedness messages

Complaints and response mechanisms Farmers conduct regular feedback on various lessons and practices learnt during field demonstration exercises

The above mentioned tools are essential in fostering adoption of resilient practices towards disasters and learning of food security practices by farmers living along the Zambezi River Basin

Page 16

Community Theatre Group dancing to a Song that explains New Ideas on Agriculture Innovations in Mambova village of Kazungula district - Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 17

Chapter V

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF LEAD FARMER STRATEGY Lead farmer strategy resulted in greater positive impacts among the people living in the Zambezi River Basin Thus

Over 22000 households living along the Zambezi River Basin in both Sesheke and Kazungula districts of Zambia are able to embrace new practices in disaster preparedness and Food security despite increased droughts and irregular rain patterns caused by climate change

Households have improved their agriculture skills and have become successful farmers who manage to produce best results even in times of drought

Households are able to support their families by growing enough food crops to eat and supplement their diet

Households are able to earn extra income to pay medical and educational bills for their children from the sale of extra food

Overall the contribution of Lead Farmer strategy on the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) has promoted viable livelihoods of beneficiaries and has accelerated Beneficiary household economic growth It is for this reason that Lead Farmer strategy if used in combination with a mix of community media should be considered as a potentially viable strategy that is able to propel vulnerable communities affected by disasters and climate change to food secure communities CONCLUSION

Lead farmer strategy has demonstrated great potential in promoting agriculture production and viable livelihoods even in the environment where increased effects of climate change have occurred In the case of the Zambezi River Basin where the majority of the people suffered acute food insecurity and loss of livelihoods due to increased droughts and irregular rain patterns lead farmer strategy has assisted them to adopt new farming skills and disaster resilient practices to rebuild their livelihoods Because of the many positives scored lead farmer strategy has proved to be a blueprint model for other communities facing similar crises and challenges As such Lead farmer strategy remains an empirical concept in the Agriculture Extension Service that relies on the power of communication and persuasion needing deeper academic investigation

Page 18

Page 13

412 Farmer Mobilisation ldquoCommunity mobilisation as a process of engaging communities to identify their priorities needs and solutions in such a way as to promote participation and peaceful change and remaining active and empowered was used to make farmers pursue new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practicesrdquo

Community members curious to become farmers are brought together in self selecting groups Various methods are used to influence their goodwill and propel their willingness to break their individual barriers so that trust belief and good relations among them flourish This process is important for farmers to give up their individual prejudices so that they are able to play to the common and genuine purpose of becoming successful farmers6 As such skills from the concept of community mobilisation were utilised to cultivate this sense of trust belief confidence good-will and willingness to develop good relations among each other for the purpose of pursuing a common good of learning new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices and eventually becoming community that is food secure in times of disasters In other words farmers were brought together and influenced to facilitate their

participation towards learning and engaging in new improved practices that

generate food security in times of deficit The process empower farmers to assert

their right to have improved agriculture services and inputs that enable them to

participate effectively in the process of generating food security

6 httpwwwuniceforgcbscindex_42347html

A group of Farmers brought together from diverse backgrounds at Sikuzu Village in Mwandi district to create connections to bridge cultural religious and individual barriers ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 14

413 Farmer Engagement ldquoCommunity Engagement is the process of building relationships with community members who will

work side-by-side with you as an ongoing partner in any and every way imaginable building an

army of support for your mission with the end goal of making the community a better place to liverdquo

Charity Sililo a Farmer Working with a fellow Farmer in her Field ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

After farmers were brought together and developed good relations among each

other a process to establish links and connections among individual group members

of farmers to work together was initiated

The links helped to positively shape and promote a more collective principled and effective farmer community with a sole action of adopting new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices Additionally several activities were undertaken to ensure ownership of activities undertaken based on sound review of their farming lessons conducted in their demonstration fields Thus without farmer engagement the pursuance of the farmersrsquo goal in a collective Principled and effective manner would be weaker and difficult This can render the adoption of new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices among farmers in the Zambezi River Basin a failure

Page 15

414 Communication After farmers are mobilised and engaged mutual communication and deliberations regarding new agriculture skills disaster preparedness resilience and food security with farmers is effected using various methods By using various methods of communication farmers interact with each other and freely share their thoughts and ideas in a more dialogical manner that raise arguments and criticism among themselves about the information they receive This makes a community of farmers become an active discursive community which promotes greater involvement and participation and enhances the realization of their greater goal which is ldquoImproved disaster preparedness and food securityrdquo Demonstration fields acted as platforms where new agricultural innovations are taken out of the unreal scientific realm of the research station and placed firmly within the bounds of farmers everyday visible experiences 4141 Communication Methods Various types of Communication methods that include a mix of community media are essential in driving Lead Farmer strategy Communication tools that meet the visual and audio literacy levels of the majority of farmers are indispensable to attract attention and provide explanations on agriculture demonstration activities in Lead Farmer strategy of the Zambezi River Basin Initiative in Zambia 4142 Communication Tools for Community Media Some of the communication tools that deliver explanatory messages on new and improved agriculture techniques to farmers included

Meetings Farmers meet in their groups to discuss and share their experiences and challenges they face during implementation of new agriculture ideas

Drama or Theatre Theatre and role plays are performed to foster explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agriculture

Traditional songs and Tales Explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agricultural are often coined in various different traditional songs and tales to support and accompany messages of new agriculture innovations and disaster preparedness

Text messages (SMS) Farmers exchange text messages on various agriculture topics and consult each other to overcome challenges they face Agriculture Extension Officers and Lead Farmers utilise text messages to foster critical agriculture and disaster preparedness messages

Complaints and response mechanisms Farmers conduct regular feedback on various lessons and practices learnt during field demonstration exercises

The above mentioned tools are essential in fostering adoption of resilient practices towards disasters and learning of food security practices by farmers living along the Zambezi River Basin

Page 16

Community Theatre Group dancing to a Song that explains New Ideas on Agriculture Innovations in Mambova village of Kazungula district - Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 17

Chapter V

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF LEAD FARMER STRATEGY Lead farmer strategy resulted in greater positive impacts among the people living in the Zambezi River Basin Thus

Over 22000 households living along the Zambezi River Basin in both Sesheke and Kazungula districts of Zambia are able to embrace new practices in disaster preparedness and Food security despite increased droughts and irregular rain patterns caused by climate change

Households have improved their agriculture skills and have become successful farmers who manage to produce best results even in times of drought

Households are able to support their families by growing enough food crops to eat and supplement their diet

Households are able to earn extra income to pay medical and educational bills for their children from the sale of extra food

Overall the contribution of Lead Farmer strategy on the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) has promoted viable livelihoods of beneficiaries and has accelerated Beneficiary household economic growth It is for this reason that Lead Farmer strategy if used in combination with a mix of community media should be considered as a potentially viable strategy that is able to propel vulnerable communities affected by disasters and climate change to food secure communities CONCLUSION

Lead farmer strategy has demonstrated great potential in promoting agriculture production and viable livelihoods even in the environment where increased effects of climate change have occurred In the case of the Zambezi River Basin where the majority of the people suffered acute food insecurity and loss of livelihoods due to increased droughts and irregular rain patterns lead farmer strategy has assisted them to adopt new farming skills and disaster resilient practices to rebuild their livelihoods Because of the many positives scored lead farmer strategy has proved to be a blueprint model for other communities facing similar crises and challenges As such Lead farmer strategy remains an empirical concept in the Agriculture Extension Service that relies on the power of communication and persuasion needing deeper academic investigation

Page 18

Page 14

413 Farmer Engagement ldquoCommunity Engagement is the process of building relationships with community members who will

work side-by-side with you as an ongoing partner in any and every way imaginable building an

army of support for your mission with the end goal of making the community a better place to liverdquo

Charity Sililo a Farmer Working with a fellow Farmer in her Field ndash Photo by Bruce Mulenga

After farmers were brought together and developed good relations among each

other a process to establish links and connections among individual group members

of farmers to work together was initiated

The links helped to positively shape and promote a more collective principled and effective farmer community with a sole action of adopting new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices Additionally several activities were undertaken to ensure ownership of activities undertaken based on sound review of their farming lessons conducted in their demonstration fields Thus without farmer engagement the pursuance of the farmersrsquo goal in a collective Principled and effective manner would be weaker and difficult This can render the adoption of new agriculture practices and disaster preparedness practices among farmers in the Zambezi River Basin a failure

Page 15

414 Communication After farmers are mobilised and engaged mutual communication and deliberations regarding new agriculture skills disaster preparedness resilience and food security with farmers is effected using various methods By using various methods of communication farmers interact with each other and freely share their thoughts and ideas in a more dialogical manner that raise arguments and criticism among themselves about the information they receive This makes a community of farmers become an active discursive community which promotes greater involvement and participation and enhances the realization of their greater goal which is ldquoImproved disaster preparedness and food securityrdquo Demonstration fields acted as platforms where new agricultural innovations are taken out of the unreal scientific realm of the research station and placed firmly within the bounds of farmers everyday visible experiences 4141 Communication Methods Various types of Communication methods that include a mix of community media are essential in driving Lead Farmer strategy Communication tools that meet the visual and audio literacy levels of the majority of farmers are indispensable to attract attention and provide explanations on agriculture demonstration activities in Lead Farmer strategy of the Zambezi River Basin Initiative in Zambia 4142 Communication Tools for Community Media Some of the communication tools that deliver explanatory messages on new and improved agriculture techniques to farmers included

Meetings Farmers meet in their groups to discuss and share their experiences and challenges they face during implementation of new agriculture ideas

Drama or Theatre Theatre and role plays are performed to foster explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agriculture

Traditional songs and Tales Explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agricultural are often coined in various different traditional songs and tales to support and accompany messages of new agriculture innovations and disaster preparedness

Text messages (SMS) Farmers exchange text messages on various agriculture topics and consult each other to overcome challenges they face Agriculture Extension Officers and Lead Farmers utilise text messages to foster critical agriculture and disaster preparedness messages

Complaints and response mechanisms Farmers conduct regular feedback on various lessons and practices learnt during field demonstration exercises

The above mentioned tools are essential in fostering adoption of resilient practices towards disasters and learning of food security practices by farmers living along the Zambezi River Basin

Page 16

Community Theatre Group dancing to a Song that explains New Ideas on Agriculture Innovations in Mambova village of Kazungula district - Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 17

Chapter V

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF LEAD FARMER STRATEGY Lead farmer strategy resulted in greater positive impacts among the people living in the Zambezi River Basin Thus

Over 22000 households living along the Zambezi River Basin in both Sesheke and Kazungula districts of Zambia are able to embrace new practices in disaster preparedness and Food security despite increased droughts and irregular rain patterns caused by climate change

Households have improved their agriculture skills and have become successful farmers who manage to produce best results even in times of drought

Households are able to support their families by growing enough food crops to eat and supplement their diet

Households are able to earn extra income to pay medical and educational bills for their children from the sale of extra food

Overall the contribution of Lead Farmer strategy on the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) has promoted viable livelihoods of beneficiaries and has accelerated Beneficiary household economic growth It is for this reason that Lead Farmer strategy if used in combination with a mix of community media should be considered as a potentially viable strategy that is able to propel vulnerable communities affected by disasters and climate change to food secure communities CONCLUSION

Lead farmer strategy has demonstrated great potential in promoting agriculture production and viable livelihoods even in the environment where increased effects of climate change have occurred In the case of the Zambezi River Basin where the majority of the people suffered acute food insecurity and loss of livelihoods due to increased droughts and irregular rain patterns lead farmer strategy has assisted them to adopt new farming skills and disaster resilient practices to rebuild their livelihoods Because of the many positives scored lead farmer strategy has proved to be a blueprint model for other communities facing similar crises and challenges As such Lead farmer strategy remains an empirical concept in the Agriculture Extension Service that relies on the power of communication and persuasion needing deeper academic investigation

Page 18

Page 15

414 Communication After farmers are mobilised and engaged mutual communication and deliberations regarding new agriculture skills disaster preparedness resilience and food security with farmers is effected using various methods By using various methods of communication farmers interact with each other and freely share their thoughts and ideas in a more dialogical manner that raise arguments and criticism among themselves about the information they receive This makes a community of farmers become an active discursive community which promotes greater involvement and participation and enhances the realization of their greater goal which is ldquoImproved disaster preparedness and food securityrdquo Demonstration fields acted as platforms where new agricultural innovations are taken out of the unreal scientific realm of the research station and placed firmly within the bounds of farmers everyday visible experiences 4141 Communication Methods Various types of Communication methods that include a mix of community media are essential in driving Lead Farmer strategy Communication tools that meet the visual and audio literacy levels of the majority of farmers are indispensable to attract attention and provide explanations on agriculture demonstration activities in Lead Farmer strategy of the Zambezi River Basin Initiative in Zambia 4142 Communication Tools for Community Media Some of the communication tools that deliver explanatory messages on new and improved agriculture techniques to farmers included

Meetings Farmers meet in their groups to discuss and share their experiences and challenges they face during implementation of new agriculture ideas

Drama or Theatre Theatre and role plays are performed to foster explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agriculture

Traditional songs and Tales Explanations and new ideas on disaster preparedness and new methods of agricultural are often coined in various different traditional songs and tales to support and accompany messages of new agriculture innovations and disaster preparedness

Text messages (SMS) Farmers exchange text messages on various agriculture topics and consult each other to overcome challenges they face Agriculture Extension Officers and Lead Farmers utilise text messages to foster critical agriculture and disaster preparedness messages

Complaints and response mechanisms Farmers conduct regular feedback on various lessons and practices learnt during field demonstration exercises

The above mentioned tools are essential in fostering adoption of resilient practices towards disasters and learning of food security practices by farmers living along the Zambezi River Basin

Page 16

Community Theatre Group dancing to a Song that explains New Ideas on Agriculture Innovations in Mambova village of Kazungula district - Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 17

Chapter V

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF LEAD FARMER STRATEGY Lead farmer strategy resulted in greater positive impacts among the people living in the Zambezi River Basin Thus

Over 22000 households living along the Zambezi River Basin in both Sesheke and Kazungula districts of Zambia are able to embrace new practices in disaster preparedness and Food security despite increased droughts and irregular rain patterns caused by climate change

Households have improved their agriculture skills and have become successful farmers who manage to produce best results even in times of drought

Households are able to support their families by growing enough food crops to eat and supplement their diet

Households are able to earn extra income to pay medical and educational bills for their children from the sale of extra food

Overall the contribution of Lead Farmer strategy on the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) has promoted viable livelihoods of beneficiaries and has accelerated Beneficiary household economic growth It is for this reason that Lead Farmer strategy if used in combination with a mix of community media should be considered as a potentially viable strategy that is able to propel vulnerable communities affected by disasters and climate change to food secure communities CONCLUSION

Lead farmer strategy has demonstrated great potential in promoting agriculture production and viable livelihoods even in the environment where increased effects of climate change have occurred In the case of the Zambezi River Basin where the majority of the people suffered acute food insecurity and loss of livelihoods due to increased droughts and irregular rain patterns lead farmer strategy has assisted them to adopt new farming skills and disaster resilient practices to rebuild their livelihoods Because of the many positives scored lead farmer strategy has proved to be a blueprint model for other communities facing similar crises and challenges As such Lead farmer strategy remains an empirical concept in the Agriculture Extension Service that relies on the power of communication and persuasion needing deeper academic investigation

Page 18

Page 16

Community Theatre Group dancing to a Song that explains New Ideas on Agriculture Innovations in Mambova village of Kazungula district - Photo by Bruce Mulenga

Page 17

Chapter V

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF LEAD FARMER STRATEGY Lead farmer strategy resulted in greater positive impacts among the people living in the Zambezi River Basin Thus

Over 22000 households living along the Zambezi River Basin in both Sesheke and Kazungula districts of Zambia are able to embrace new practices in disaster preparedness and Food security despite increased droughts and irregular rain patterns caused by climate change

Households have improved their agriculture skills and have become successful farmers who manage to produce best results even in times of drought

Households are able to support their families by growing enough food crops to eat and supplement their diet

Households are able to earn extra income to pay medical and educational bills for their children from the sale of extra food

Overall the contribution of Lead Farmer strategy on the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) has promoted viable livelihoods of beneficiaries and has accelerated Beneficiary household economic growth It is for this reason that Lead Farmer strategy if used in combination with a mix of community media should be considered as a potentially viable strategy that is able to propel vulnerable communities affected by disasters and climate change to food secure communities CONCLUSION

Lead farmer strategy has demonstrated great potential in promoting agriculture production and viable livelihoods even in the environment where increased effects of climate change have occurred In the case of the Zambezi River Basin where the majority of the people suffered acute food insecurity and loss of livelihoods due to increased droughts and irregular rain patterns lead farmer strategy has assisted them to adopt new farming skills and disaster resilient practices to rebuild their livelihoods Because of the many positives scored lead farmer strategy has proved to be a blueprint model for other communities facing similar crises and challenges As such Lead farmer strategy remains an empirical concept in the Agriculture Extension Service that relies on the power of communication and persuasion needing deeper academic investigation

Page 18

Page 17

Chapter V

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF LEAD FARMER STRATEGY Lead farmer strategy resulted in greater positive impacts among the people living in the Zambezi River Basin Thus

Over 22000 households living along the Zambezi River Basin in both Sesheke and Kazungula districts of Zambia are able to embrace new practices in disaster preparedness and Food security despite increased droughts and irregular rain patterns caused by climate change

Households have improved their agriculture skills and have become successful farmers who manage to produce best results even in times of drought

Households are able to support their families by growing enough food crops to eat and supplement their diet

Households are able to earn extra income to pay medical and educational bills for their children from the sale of extra food

Overall the contribution of Lead Farmer strategy on the Zambezi River Basin Initiative (ZRBI) has promoted viable livelihoods of beneficiaries and has accelerated Beneficiary household economic growth It is for this reason that Lead Farmer strategy if used in combination with a mix of community media should be considered as a potentially viable strategy that is able to propel vulnerable communities affected by disasters and climate change to food secure communities CONCLUSION

Lead farmer strategy has demonstrated great potential in promoting agriculture production and viable livelihoods even in the environment where increased effects of climate change have occurred In the case of the Zambezi River Basin where the majority of the people suffered acute food insecurity and loss of livelihoods due to increased droughts and irregular rain patterns lead farmer strategy has assisted them to adopt new farming skills and disaster resilient practices to rebuild their livelihoods Because of the many positives scored lead farmer strategy has proved to be a blueprint model for other communities facing similar crises and challenges As such Lead farmer strategy remains an empirical concept in the Agriculture Extension Service that relies on the power of communication and persuasion needing deeper academic investigation

Page 18

Page 18