Digital tools linking extension workers to farmer cooperatives

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Farmers’ cooperatives are gaining momentum in the different districts of Northern Uganda. 

These groups are vital in optimizing resources all while facilitating market access hence boosting productivity, especially for smallholder farmers.

Hilda Adur, a digital technology researcher says, cooperatives depend on extension services to enrich agricultural knowledge.

However, Prisca Alobo, an extension worker in Kwania district notes that there are few experts in the region and they serve many cooperatives and individual farmers.

Reaching all cooperatives becomes difficult given the long distances and high transport costs.

What makes their work harder is the digital divide. Farmers still face challenges in accessing digital tools such as smartphones. Others don’t even own TVs or radios.

But even those with radios rarely listen in. Tonny Mark Ocen, another extension worker says; “It’s true some families have radios but they don’t listen in every day because they return from the garden exhausted and just sleep off.”

Regardless, Alobo says her fellow extension workers use digital tools, such as mobile applications and social media which makes it easy for farmers to access agricultural extension services.

“It’s easy to reach farmers on a digital system. We profile them and offer advisory services on phone,” Paskweli Ocen says.

Farmers at a cooperative office using smartphones to access information. (Credit: Ritah Mukasa)

How they work

Daniel Moro an extension worker with Ebenezer Grower Input and farm consultation services in Lira district says they supply quality agro inputs to rural farmers who do not have access to good services.

For Alobo, she coordinates and trains farmers in agronomic practices which involve using farming techniques that maximize crop yields while minimizing damage to the environment.

“We also enrol Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), widows and those living with HIV on a permaculture program,” she says adding that; “They engage in backyard gardening to improve their diets while earning as well.”

Meanwhile, to curb the digital divide challenges, digital technology researcher, Hilda Adur suggests using a multi-channel approach, combining traditional and digital methods.

Also, offering affordable digital options like free for a period of trial, or partnerships.

Through this she says, extension workers will better meet the diverse needs of smallholder farmers, providing them with more accessible information.

There is more; continuous training coupled with tailored digital literacy programs for the extension workers are essential in empowering rural communities according to Adur. 

Also, stakeholders should develop digital solutions with data transparency for both the farmers and extension workers.