Support to the subregional maize research network for eastern and southern Africa on monitoring the implementation of rural development support communications

Abstract

The implementation of ECA/FAO projects in Lesotho and Mozambique, focused on on-farm testing and transfer of maize technology to small farmers, has highlighted the need to improve communication between research and extension services. While efforts have primarily concentrated on disseminating research findings to extension workers, both projects struggled to establish effective mechanisms for feedback from extension to research. To address this gap and enhance the two-way flow of information, the Rural Development Support Communications project was initiated. Its primary objective is to create a sustainable and effective link between farmers and researchers within the Subregional Maize Research Network for Eastern and Southern Africa, starting with Lesotho, Mozambique, and Zambia. On-farm testing provides a structured framework for collaboration among researchers, extension workers, and farmers, leveraging their respective expertise in research, local conditions, and practical farming experience. Despite the success of the first component of the Subregional Maize Research Network in transferring maize technology to small farmers, feedback from farmers and extensionists to researchers remained inadequate. The second component, the Rural Development Support Communications project, aims to address this shortcoming by ensuring a seamless exchange of information between research, extension, and farmers, thereby facilitating the application of research results and improving agricultural practices.