DEMONSTRATION PLOTS: A SOURCE OF INNOVATION, MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS FOR

FARMERS

Posted by satg | Nov 16, 2017 | Events, News | 0 |

SATG Extension workers facilitate field demonstration days

Somali farmers have been underdeveloped due to multiple underlying causes, including limited access
to improved seed, production practices and technologies, and a chronic lack of market information,
particularly internationally demanded product quality.

Inspired by the belief that informed and skilled farmers are essential for a sustainable future of the
farming communities and the Somali agriculture sector, SATG has embarked on demonstration plots
aimed at offering and sharing field practical experience to farmers, extension workers, agri-businesses,
and other stakeholders including input suppliers, traders, processors, government institutions, and
students. SATG has established two field stations in Lower and Middle Shabelle. Here, it develops,
designs, tests, and demonstrates both improved and modern technologies. SATG also cooperates and
supports others who wish to establish and share knowledge, skills, and innovative technologies through
agricultural field demonstration sites.

The demonstrations plots, when well-designed and organized, will contribute to the dissemination of
information and stimulate farmers to observe, experience, experiment with, and adapt new and
innovative ideas, practices, and technologies that can improve and increase their farm outputs and
income. Ultimately, this will improve their entire economic situation. Moreover, when a farmer
participates in field demonstration activities, she/he will get the possibility of seeing the positive effects
and impacts of improved and new practices with their own eyes.

when a farmer participates in field demonstration activities, she/he will get the possibility of seeing the
positive effects and impacts of improved and new practices with their own eyes.
In addition, knowledge and skills gained through the demonstration plots can be easily transferred from
farmer to farmer. Participating farmers share the latest information and practices with other farmers
and family members. Similarly, when these farmers apply their practices successfully, the other farmers
will borrow and adapt the modern technologies and practices.

The demonstration plots also increase the coordination and network between farmers and other
stakeholders within the agricultural production sector. In this way the demonstration plots have the
potential to contribute to increasing the knowledge of improved productivity and quality of the produce
as well as the sustainability of farming communities and all other stakeholders.

Since the inception of this initiative, SATG has observed significant interest for the field demonstrations.
Similarly, we have seen that the demonstration sites help to establish successful business relationships
between farmers and traders.

– By Yusuf Hasan, SATG Lead Agronomist