FIELD DAYS- A NECESSARY LEARNING TOOL FOR SMALLSCALE FARMERS

Smallscale farmers can adapt the things they see and learn at Expos on a smaller scale

As the Agritech Expo opened on Thursday April 10, some small-scale farmers around the country are traveling to Chisamba, to expose themselves to the latest trends in the agricultural sector. Transcending from small-scale to medium and commercial scale farming entails keeping up-to-date practices that can increase production and productivity.

Field days are simply a series of demonstrations and knowledge-sharing activities that are focused on enhancing sustainable agriculture. They can be described as trade shows where farmers and aspiring farmers can acquaint themselves with best farming practices, new seed varieties, livestock disease control methods, new machinery and technology etc.

These events are a fora which bring farmers, extension-research and the private sector agricultural stakeholders together to share and promote innovative ideas.

Initially, field days were spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with mainly seed companies. However, private sector agricultural stakeholders such as seed companies gave been gradually taking the lead to mobilize farmers and host especially in rural areas.

According to Chief Extension Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, Katupa Chongo, field days are simply a method of conveying agricultural information.

“Fields days are real-time teaching tools for farmers where new information can be conveyed to farmers…and where farmers can see for themselves the benefits of a new innovation,” Mr Chongo

His explanation of the benefit of field days is premised on the basis of seeing is believing.

In recent years, agricultural expos are a new way of conveying agricultural information to even regional and international farmers and agricultural stakeholders. While field days a more limited on their focus of information – usually seed varieties – expos tend to showcase a wider range of agricultural products such as modern technology, equipment farming inputs and even offer side events in form of lectures.

Mr. Chongo said that expos are simply field days that are held at a larger scale and small scale farmers can still learn a lot and adapt what they learn on a smaller scale.

"Farming methods are versatile and can be applied in various situations. The most important thing is to communicate good idea to a maximum number of people so that you can spread the information on better or new methods,” Mr. Chongo added.

In a press release, Zambian National Farmers Union (ZNFU) President, Jervis Zimba, explained that even the smallest small scale farmer knows about mechanization thanks to the country’s biggest agricultural event – the Agritech Expo. He highlighted that the Agritech Expo celebrates 6 years of its existence under the theme Prioritizing Agriculture as One of the Key Economic Drivers. He explained that farmers cannot do it alone and a multi sectoral approach is necessary to make the sector grow.

“…we set out to have an Expo that would unveil technologies, machinery, smart agricultural practices, embracing all farmers at every level…This is an expo that will school agriculture from farm to fork; from seed to crop,” Mr. Zimba said.

Daniel Ngosa is a farmer from Mufulira on the Copperbelt. He explained that field days and expos enable farmers see their own potential and motivates them to do better in their agricultural activities. With particular reference to expos, Mr. Ngosa said that expos are a good environment for farmers to create linkages among themselves.

“You get to see products which offer solutions to your problems…you get to see and understand how those products work because the exhibitors will explain those products,” Mr Ngosa said.

He reiterated the fact that agriculture cuts across all sectors and the Expo was a platform that brought all people institutions together: policy makers, government officials, bankers and farmers among other others. This entails that a forum for establishing solutions to real growth of the agricultural sector could be tabled – including the issue of access to finance for small scale farmers.

Jonathan Chola is the Agro-lending Coordinator for AB bank Zambia. He said that AB bank Zambia provided loans to farmers for fixed assets such as equipment, livestock, fertilizer and other working capital requirements.

“We are involved in financial literacy programs such as the Farmers and Micro Business Simulation, our main focus is to have farmers and micro business view their businesses as profit centres and manage them as such in the long run,” Mr. Chola said.

He disclosed that Agro Credit experts would be readily available at the Agritech Expo to discuss farmers’ options on a one-to-one basis. Access to credit is a necessary tool to enabling farmers to mechanize their agricultural practices and increase their productivity.

Field days and Expos are a viable catalyst to stimulating agribusiness as small scale farmers are presented with a platform to not only learn about agricultural practices and equipment but they are also presented with a marketplace at which to meet potential suppliers and buyers of their products.

Field days are also a catalyst to enhancing the adoption of best agricultural practices in a time when climate change is threatening the food and nutrition security of households that depend on agriculture.