Reading, writing and cultivating : the role of literacy in irrigation

It examines the role of literacy in promoting greater independence of farmers" groups and considers literacy in relation to farmer participation. The arguments are based on the author"s own experience as coordinator of a literacy program within an agricultural project in Senegal, which focused largely on post literacy and extension. The second part of the paper outlines methods of working with farmers in the training of instructors and includes examples of training materials and activities developed in the field. These will be published later this year and will be available from the Department of Agricultural Education, University of Wageningen, The Leewenborch, Hollanseweg 1, Postbus 8130, 6700EW Wageningen, The Netherlands. (Author abstract)