Main dissemination instruments Demonstration plots

Almost all associations have demonstration plots (16_IS_MP, 17_IS_MP), a so-called campo de

demonstração de resultados (CDR). The plots in Maputo serve mainly to show farmers innovations

in the farming system in line with the training and visit approach (T&V). As a dissemination tool, CDRs have a powerful impact (16_IS_MP). They are known as escola machamba and each associ- ation has very different conditions (16_IS_MP, 17_IS_MP). Associations with external (financial and technical) support from the extension service and NGOs have well-equipped plots at their disposal for training and trials (field observation). In total, every second farmer has received train- ing in production systems (MP_B_17) (see Chapter 3.3).

Farmer Field Schools

Farmer Field Schools are found mostly in the rural areas but have not yet been established in Maputo. Since 2002, approximately 27 500 rural farmers in Mozambique have benefited from this FAO methodology. Farmers were trained at one of the 1 100 schools all over the country (FAO, 2019). A group of 25-30 farmers learn together with and from the extension officer for one culti- vation cycle, e.g., the introduction of new crops or irrigation techniques. The learning cycle ena- bles farmer to gain knowledge and put it into practice and enjoy verbal exchange with other farmers. According to officials, FFS will be established in Maputo in 2019 based on the FAO ap- proach.

Training material

Interviews and field observation indicate that training material is still weak in terms of quantity and quality. Printed material is available at casa agrárias and NGO headquarters only. It is diffi- cult for farmers to reach the few existing headquarters, mostly without storing facilities. Some NGOs disseminate printed material in the course of trainings. The survey conducted with associ- ation presidents showed that they were neither aware of the type of material disseminated nor to whom (MP_A_17, 17_AS_MP). The majority of farmers also indicated they had not made ac- tive use of the material they received (MP_B_17).

An assessment of existing information material in the form of books or leaflets, for example, shows that most printed information is in Portuguese. Key informants (2018) claimed, however, that material printed in Portuguese should remain, since local languages did not have the neces- sary terminology and the ability to read and write was generally low. Printed material in other languages would furthermore not fulfil the objective.

Public extension workers rely on one single training manual that operates on a national scale (see Extension service in this chapter) and is not adapted to the urban context. A training manual for the Maputo context was written by ESSOR and concentrates primarily on high pest pressure. It is widely used by farmers (see Chapter 3.9.2.3).

Farmers meetings and farmer to farmer exchange

Presidents of associations conduct regular meetings to inform farmers of association issues such as organisational changes or new training opportunities (17_AS_MP). Most of the meetings are held in Changana or have Portuguese-speaking ‘guest speakers’ (NGOs and others).

Baseline data shows (MP_B_17, MP_A_17) that communication among urban farmers in associa- tions mostly occurs face to face. 80% of farmers indicated a preference for gathering information from farmers close to their own plots in face to face communication. The principal source of in- formation on new cultivation methods is first and foremost other association members, followed by extension officers. In-depth interviews with presidents confirmed that individual and spoken extension is one of most promising dissemination tools (17_IS_MP, 16_IS_MP).

Casa agrária

Each district has its casa agrária as a provider of information, a meeting point and a link to the city’s extension service (17_IS_MP). The casa agrária in KaMubukwana disposes of information material for farmers. It is neither systemised nor available in different languages. Although com- puters with internet access are available (16_IS_MP, 17_IS_MP), they are still not in working con- dition for urban farmers (17_IS_MP). For farmers in remote associations, the casa agrária is inac- cessible (16_IS_MP), as most urban farmers lack access to (affordable) transportation and roads are often in bad condition, especially in the rainy season (16_IS_MP, 17_IS_MP). Some associa- tions have their own house for reunions financed by external donors but not as an information point for farmers. Also, most farmers said they did not actively seek out information, which sug- gests the need for facilitation of the knowledge transfer process by extension workers or innova- tion brokers. Half of the farmers stated they had difficulty accessing information due to lack of time and money. Illiteracy was mentioned as affecting the use of media and ICT (17_B_MP). Media and ICT

As described above, the city offers a wide range of media channels to disseminate information: radio, television, print media and social media. See above for farmer communication patterns and preferences (Chapter 3.9.2.1).

Further training opportunities and field days

93% of farmers indicated they were interested in further training (17_B_MP, n=148). That said, access for farmers without organisational and financial support from an NGO is not an easy task, since training opportunities such as those offered by the agricultural training centres are located outside of Maputo (in Maputo province). As yet, the universities in the city do not offer this type of training.

Farmer field days are offered sporadically in Maputo province and in training centres (Boane). These so-called troca de experiências are not the farmers’ preferred information tool. An expen- sive event for NGOs, they take place at long intervals only. The experience exchange between urban and rural farmers in Naamache was beneficial in terms of observing new techniques, net- working opportunities, raising questions in a group and the demonstration of new crop manage- ment techniques (18_FG_MP). The IIAM work with this instrument in rural Mozambique. It has

had a significant impact on knowledge transfer, allowing for the assumption that it could also be useful in the urban setting.

Home gardeners

Associations also serve as a knowledge hub for home gardeners in their vicinity (16_IS_MP). In the case study areas of KaMavota and KaMubukwana, home gardeners actively seek out inputs and information at associations and from individual farmers. Inputs, pesticides and mineral ferti- lisers are sold close to the plots. Association farmers, however, do not have sufficient knowledge about the origin of these products or how to apply them. This lack of capacity to inform has a negative impact on cultivation in Maputo home gardens.

Around 7 000 dwellers have been trained to garden in their backyards or around their houses and up to 20% of households in Maputo are involved in some form of urban agriculture. The informal food economy in Maputo is ‘viable and extensive’ (Crush et al., 2014). Organisations like KULIMA and AfriCarte have been active in training urban dwellers in home gardening. Observation and interviews show that people farm around their houses for self-consumption, but also for com- mercialisation and as a leisure activity. Knowledge is mainly shared within the family and the community.

3.9.2.3 ESSOR – A case study on the dissemination of agro-ecological techniques for plant