Video-mediated farmer-to-farmer learning for sustainable agriculture: A scoping study for SDC, SAI Platform and GFRAS

The study aimed to explore the potential of video in agricultural extension and identify models for producing and disseminating farmer training videos. The study found that farmers have a strong demand for visual support tools, with 72% of respondents indicating that they use video to train farmers. The study identified several models for producing and disseminating farmer training videos, including Agro-Insight, STCP cocoa, Digital Green, and Kenyan farmer. These models vary in their approach to video production and dissemination, but all aim to provide farmers with access to high-quality training videos. The study also found that the internet is increasingly being used by farmers and intermediaries to access agricultural videos, with YouTube being a popular platform. The study proposed the development of a web-based platform for video sharing, which would provide a centralized location for farmers to access high-quality training videos. The proposed platform would include a range of features, including video sharing, discussion forums, and networking opportunities. The study identified several opportunities for the platform, including growing interest in agricultural extension, increased attention to farmers' innovation, and international organizations' desire to enhance impact through video. However, the study also identified several challenges to the development of the platform, including translating demand into appropriate content, risk of videos becoming prescriptive, limited attention to quality, and producing local language versions. The study recommended that these challenges be addressed through capacity building, institutional support, and a focus on quality and relevance. The study found that video can be an effective tool for training farmers, with 60% of respondents indicating that they have seen an improvement in crop yields after watching training videos. The study also found that farmers prefer videos that are short, concise, and relevant to their needs, with 70% of respondents indicating that they prefer videos that are less than 10 minutes long. The study identified several key findings, including the importance of local language videos, the need for suitable length and format of training videos, and the impact of training videos on farmers' practices and yields. The study also identified several models for producing and disseminating farmer training videos, including Agro-Insight, STCP cocoa, Digital Green, and Kenyan farmer. The study's findings have implications for agricultural extension services, which can use video to reach a wider audience and provide high-quality training to farmers. The study's recommendations for the development of a web-based platform for video sharing can also inform the development of similar initiatives in other countries.