Towards sustainable vegetable growing with farmer learning videos in Benin

24 January 2018.

Towards sustainable vegetable growing with farmer learning videos in Benin

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

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

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

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

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

1. 
   Conserving bean leaf vegetables
   Thursday 30th November 2017
   Women in northern Malawi show how best to pick, dry and store bean leaves
   Leaf vegetables, Beans, Organic agriculture
2. 
   Sorting and storing pumpkins
   Tuesday 27th June 2017
   In this video, farmers from northern Bangladesh will guide us on how to sort and store pumpkins correctly
   Other vegetables, Post-harvest, Organic agriculture
3. 
   Managing onion diseases
   Monday 11th July 2016
   Different onion diseases can cause different symptoms, but most can be managed in the same way.
   Onions, Vegetables
4. 
   Solar drying of kale leaves
   Tuesday 31st May 2016
   Solar drying allows farmers to reduce losses and sell leafy vegetables out of the main harvest season
   Other vegetables, Leaf vegetables, Group approaches, Post-harvest, Marketing, Food safety
5. 
   Growing oyster mushrooms
   Friday 27th May 2016
   How to prepare the substrate, plant mushroom seed and grow oyster mushrooms under clean conditions
   Edible fungi, Vegetables, Food safety, Organic agriculture, Other agricultural practices
6. 
   The wonder of earthworms
   Friday 27th May 2016
   How to make compost using earthworms, and increase soil fertility
   Other vegetables, Integrated soil fertility management, Vermicomposting, Organic agriculture
7. 
   Making a chilli seedbed
   Friday 27th May 2016
   Farmers in Benin teach us how to make a chilli seedbed to get strong, healthy seedlings
   Other vegetables, Herbs & Spices, Chillies, Vegetables, Organic agriculture
8. 
   Making chilli powder
   Friday 27th May 2016
   Making chilli powder is a good way to make money that does not require very much time
   Other vegetables, Herbs & Spices, Chillies, Post-harvest, Marketing, Food safety, Organic agriculture
9. 
   Solar drying of chillies
   Friday 27th May 2016
   Dry your food faster and more hygienically by using a solar dryer that uses the heat of the sun
   Other vegetables, Pineapples, Herbs & Spices, Chillies, Vegetables, Post-harvest, Food safety, Organic agriculture
10. 
    Transplanting chillies
    Friday 27th May 2016
    Give your seedlings a smooth transition from the seedbed to the field to increase your chances of getting a good crop
    Other vegetables, Tomatoes, Herbs & Spices, Chillies, Organic agriculture
11. 
    Managing vegetable nematodes
    Friday 27th May 2016
    The diagnosis, life cycle and control methods of root knot nematodes in vegetables
    Other vegetables, Leaf vegetables, Herbs & Spices, Chillies, Vegetables, Organic agriculture
12. 
    Drying and storing chillies
    Friday 27th May 2016
    Practical ideas about proper harvesting, drying, grading and storage of chillies
    Cereals, Other vegetables, Herbs & Spices, Chillies, Roots, Tubers & Bananas, Post-harvest, Food safety, Organic agriculture