Enhancing farmer learning and adoption of digital extension: A case study report of sorghum and millet farmers in western Kenya
Agricultural extension services remain critical for bridging the gap between agronomic research and on-farm adoption, yet systemic inefficiencies such as low farmer-to-agent ratios, fragmented knowledge dissemination, and limited accessibility of traditional methods of learning hinder progress. Digi...
| Autores principales: | , , |
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| Formato: | Informe técnico |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
2025
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/173897 |
| _version_ | 1855520047359852544 |
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| author | Rickards, Chima Benita Otieno, Wycliffe Marenya, Paswel |
| author_browse | Marenya, Paswel Otieno, Wycliffe Rickards, Chima Benita |
| author_facet | Rickards, Chima Benita Otieno, Wycliffe Marenya, Paswel |
| author_sort | Rickards, Chima Benita |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Agricultural extension services remain critical for bridging the gap between agronomic research and on-farm adoption, yet systemic inefficiencies such as low farmer-to-agent ratios, fragmented knowledge dissemination, and limited accessibility of traditional methods of learning hinder progress. Digital tools offer transformative potential through scalability, real-time interaction, and tailored content delivery. However, their impact is often constrained by poor usability, lack of farmer-centric design, and uneven technological access. In 2023, we piloted a case study in Western Kenya’s Siaya and Busia counties, focusing on sorghum and millet cultivation. The initiative tested a hybrid extension model integrating GeoFarmer, a digital platform, with existing farmer networks. We explored the following research questions: 1. What insights can be drawn from the integration of peer-to-peer learning and two-way knowledge exchange in digital extension platforms? What specific mechanisms and interactions appear to facilitate or hinder knowledge sharing within the examined agricultural community? 2. How do farmers with varying technological backgrounds engage with a Human-Centred Design (HCD) digital platform? Which design elements ease adoption, and what challenges persist in the studied communities? 3. What emerging patterns suggest how digital extension networks can complement traditional in person demonstration methods to support the wider adoption of improved agronomic practices? |
| format | Informe técnico |
| id | CGSpace173897 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center |
| publisherStr | International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1738972025-03-28T02:03:16Z Enhancing farmer learning and adoption of digital extension: A case study report of sorghum and millet farmers in western Kenya Rickards, Chima Benita Otieno, Wycliffe Marenya, Paswel agricultural extension digital extension tools sorghum millets farmers learning Agricultural extension services remain critical for bridging the gap between agronomic research and on-farm adoption, yet systemic inefficiencies such as low farmer-to-agent ratios, fragmented knowledge dissemination, and limited accessibility of traditional methods of learning hinder progress. Digital tools offer transformative potential through scalability, real-time interaction, and tailored content delivery. However, their impact is often constrained by poor usability, lack of farmer-centric design, and uneven technological access. In 2023, we piloted a case study in Western Kenya’s Siaya and Busia counties, focusing on sorghum and millet cultivation. The initiative tested a hybrid extension model integrating GeoFarmer, a digital platform, with existing farmer networks. We explored the following research questions: 1. What insights can be drawn from the integration of peer-to-peer learning and two-way knowledge exchange in digital extension platforms? What specific mechanisms and interactions appear to facilitate or hinder knowledge sharing within the examined agricultural community? 2. How do farmers with varying technological backgrounds engage with a Human-Centred Design (HCD) digital platform? Which design elements ease adoption, and what challenges persist in the studied communities? 3. What emerging patterns suggest how digital extension networks can complement traditional in person demonstration methods to support the wider adoption of improved agronomic practices? 2025 2025-03-27T13:29:04Z 2025-03-27T13:29:04Z Report https://hdl.handle.net/10568/173897 en Open Access application/pdf International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center Rickards, C., Otieno, W., & Marenya, P. P. (2025). Enhancing farmer learning and adoption of digital extension: A case study report of sorghum and millet farmers in western Kenya. https://hdl.handle.net/10883/35563 CIMMYT. |
| spellingShingle | agricultural extension digital extension tools sorghum millets farmers learning Rickards, Chima Benita Otieno, Wycliffe Marenya, Paswel Enhancing farmer learning and adoption of digital extension: A case study report of sorghum and millet farmers in western Kenya |
| title | Enhancing farmer learning and adoption of digital extension: A case study report of sorghum and millet farmers in western Kenya |
| title_full | Enhancing farmer learning and adoption of digital extension: A case study report of sorghum and millet farmers in western Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing farmer learning and adoption of digital extension: A case study report of sorghum and millet farmers in western Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing farmer learning and adoption of digital extension: A case study report of sorghum and millet farmers in western Kenya |
| title_short | Enhancing farmer learning and adoption of digital extension: A case study report of sorghum and millet farmers in western Kenya |
| title_sort | enhancing farmer learning and adoption of digital extension a case study report of sorghum and millet farmers in western kenya |
| topic | agricultural extension digital extension tools sorghum millets farmers learning |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/173897 |
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