Is radio an effective method for delivering actionable information for responding to emerging pest threats? A case study of fall armyworm campaign in Zambia
Abstract Background The Fall Army Work (FAW) radio campaign was implemented between November 2018 and April 2019 in key maize growing areas and locations with reported high severity of fall armyworm as identified by national stakeholders. We evaluated the effectiveness of radio mass extension campai...
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CABI
2021-08-01
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| Series: | CABI Agriculture and Bioscience |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-021-00053-8 |
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| author | Harrison Rware Monica K. Kansiime Idah Mugambi David Onyango Justice A. Tambo Catherine Mloza Banda Noah A. Phiri Gilson Chipabika Mathews Matimelo Dorcus Chaaba Tamsin Davis Julien Godwin |
| author_facet | Harrison Rware Monica K. Kansiime Idah Mugambi David Onyango Justice A. Tambo Catherine Mloza Banda Noah A. Phiri Gilson Chipabika Mathews Matimelo Dorcus Chaaba Tamsin Davis Julien Godwin |
| author_sort | Harrison Rware |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The Fall Army Work (FAW) radio campaign was implemented between November 2018 and April 2019 in key maize growing areas and locations with reported high severity of fall armyworm as identified by national stakeholders. We evaluated the effectiveness of radio mass extension campaign in achieving scale, and effect on farmers’ knowledge and uptake of management practices for fall armyworm (FAW). We also assessed the factors determining farmers’ participation in radio campaign, to inform future and similar campaigns. Methods Data were gathered through a household survey targeting locations where the campaign was implemented; and 250 male and 215 female farmers were surveyed. The study was conducted in four of the seven provinces where the campaign took place—Eastern, Luapula, Copperbelt and Southern provinces. Selection of the sample provinces was based on reported rainfall distribution during the season and severity of FAW infestation, radio coverage areas and maize growing intensities. Results The radio campaign reached an estimated 1.4 million farmers. Survey results show that both male and female radio listeners were significantly more aware of fall armyworm, and more likely to adopt management practices than non-radio listeners, in particular preventive measures such as frequent monitoring, intercropping and crop rotation. This means that participation in the radio-based extension campaign significantly increased farmers’ knowledge and stimulated uptake of management practices for FAW. However, the survey showed that only 49% of the respondents listened to at least one FAW radio episode. Predictors of farmer participation in radio campaign were; gender, education level, and maize farm size. Conclusions The results imply that deliberate promotion of such programs would enhance listenership and improve interactivity while at the same time integrating other extension approaches. The integration also provides opportunities for equally reaching women as men, given the observed digital divide. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-297538de5dd7467d935f49d67a079cd8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-4044 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | CABI |
| record_format | Article |
| series | CABI Agriculture and Bioscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-297538de5dd7467d935f49d67a079cd82025-02-02T14:36:12ZengCABICABI Agriculture and Bioscience2662-40442021-08-012111110.1186/s43170-021-00053-8Is radio an effective method for delivering actionable information for responding to emerging pest threats? A case study of fall armyworm campaign in ZambiaHarrison Rware0Monica K. Kansiime1Idah Mugambi2David Onyango3Justice A. Tambo4Catherine Mloza Banda5Noah A. Phiri6Gilson Chipabika7Mathews Matimelo8Dorcus Chaaba9Tamsin Davis10Julien Godwin11CABICABICABICABICABICABICABIZARIZARINational Agricultural Information ServicesCABICABIAbstract Background The Fall Army Work (FAW) radio campaign was implemented between November 2018 and April 2019 in key maize growing areas and locations with reported high severity of fall armyworm as identified by national stakeholders. We evaluated the effectiveness of radio mass extension campaign in achieving scale, and effect on farmers’ knowledge and uptake of management practices for fall armyworm (FAW). We also assessed the factors determining farmers’ participation in radio campaign, to inform future and similar campaigns. Methods Data were gathered through a household survey targeting locations where the campaign was implemented; and 250 male and 215 female farmers were surveyed. The study was conducted in four of the seven provinces where the campaign took place—Eastern, Luapula, Copperbelt and Southern provinces. Selection of the sample provinces was based on reported rainfall distribution during the season and severity of FAW infestation, radio coverage areas and maize growing intensities. Results The radio campaign reached an estimated 1.4 million farmers. Survey results show that both male and female radio listeners were significantly more aware of fall armyworm, and more likely to adopt management practices than non-radio listeners, in particular preventive measures such as frequent monitoring, intercropping and crop rotation. This means that participation in the radio-based extension campaign significantly increased farmers’ knowledge and stimulated uptake of management practices for FAW. However, the survey showed that only 49% of the respondents listened to at least one FAW radio episode. Predictors of farmer participation in radio campaign were; gender, education level, and maize farm size. Conclusions The results imply that deliberate promotion of such programs would enhance listenership and improve interactivity while at the same time integrating other extension approaches. The integration also provides opportunities for equally reaching women as men, given the observed digital divide.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-021-00053-8Agricultural InformationSmallholder farmersFall armywormZambia |
| spellingShingle | Harrison Rware Monica K. Kansiime Idah Mugambi David Onyango Justice A. Tambo Catherine Mloza Banda Noah A. Phiri Gilson Chipabika Mathews Matimelo Dorcus Chaaba Tamsin Davis Julien Godwin Is radio an effective method for delivering actionable information for responding to emerging pest threats? A case study of fall armyworm campaign in Zambia CABI Agriculture and Bioscience Agricultural Information Smallholder farmers Fall armyworm Zambia |
| title | Is radio an effective method for delivering actionable information for responding to emerging pest threats? A case study of fall armyworm campaign in Zambia |
| title_full | Is radio an effective method for delivering actionable information for responding to emerging pest threats? A case study of fall armyworm campaign in Zambia |
| title_fullStr | Is radio an effective method for delivering actionable information for responding to emerging pest threats? A case study of fall armyworm campaign in Zambia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is radio an effective method for delivering actionable information for responding to emerging pest threats? A case study of fall armyworm campaign in Zambia |
| title_short | Is radio an effective method for delivering actionable information for responding to emerging pest threats? A case study of fall armyworm campaign in Zambia |
| title_sort | is radio an effective method for delivering actionable information for responding to emerging pest threats a case study of fall armyworm campaign in zambia |
| topic | Agricultural Information Smallholder farmers Fall armyworm Zambia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-021-00053-8 |
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