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I am Berga Lemaga.
I lead the Research and Extension Department of the Agricultural Transformation Agency.
The Digital Green approach is all about teaching farmers using a video.
The approach is framed in such a way that farmers identify their own problems.
Then different groups like research organizations, extension unit and experts will be requested to provide solutions
The best improved practice that is found to solve the concern will be selected.
The information will be customized to the farmer’s level. A video will be produced acted by a farmer and to the farmer.
The farmers will discuss on the video. Moreover, they can also comment the content of the video.
Therefore, the approach is based on an identified problem. Different experts will be approached to suggest the best solution.
The selected best problem solving practice will be recorded in a video
It will be then showed to farmers. This will help farmers get increased yield from their farm produce.
The whole idea is to teach problem solving practices by the farmer to the farmer.
This is important in the current Ethiopian extension system. We have farmer training centers led by development agents. The 1 to 5 Network Groups whereby one progressive farmer helps the other four to come to his level are also important part of the system
Such five to six groups of 1:5 will come together and form a development group.
All this will learn the best practice in their group and in their own language. If there is any correction to be made, they can correct it.
In general, this is not a top-down approach. It is a bottom-up participatory system of teaching.
Farmers will contribute in identifying problems suggesting solutions and defining mode of the training. This makes it simple. Digital Green enables new discussions to happen between farmers.
We believe it will have a very good contribution in the future of the Ethiopian extension system.