Adult Education Methods Used in Disseminating Information to Small Scale Farmers on the Use of E-voucher in Chongwe District, Zambia

Abstract

This study sought to explore adult education methods used in the dissemination of information on the use of e-voucher as a farmer input distribution system to small scale farmers in Chongwe district of Zambia. The study employed a descriptive research design. A sample of 30 respondents comprising 26 small scale farmers, 2 officers from the Zambia National Farmers’ Union and 2 from the Zambia National Commercial Bank was purposively selected. Data was collected through interview guides and focus group discussions. Data was qualitatively analysed by content analysis and information presented in descriptions and narrations. Verbatims which were considered significant to the study were also included for illustration. Findings revealed that adult education methods used in the dissemination of information to small scale farmers on e-voucher in Chongwe district included radio programmes, farmer meetings and door-to-door visits by cooperative leaders and agricultural extension workers. The study also established that dissemination of the information was mostly done in local languages as most of the farmers could not speak or understand English. This posed a challenge of language barrier as some officers involved in the dissemination of information were not conversant with the local languages. The study recommended that a local or community radio station should be set up for the purpose of undertaking farmer awareness campaigns and information sharing on e-voucher and other aspects of agriculture in local languages. It also recommended that materials on e-voucher and related aspects should be translated into local languages for ease of access by small scale farmers. The study also recommended that preference in the deployment of agricultural extension officers should be given to those who are able to speak local languages while those who are unable to do so should be given the opportunity, through training, to acquire them.