The Power of TV in Triggering Feedback Through Mobile Phones

Evelyne Kiptot from the World Agroforestry Centre in Kenya will evaluate whether television programs can teach innovative agricultural practices to dairy farmers, and whether mobile phones can be used to measure their performance. Rural farmers in sub-Saharan Africa have traditionally been told about improved farming practices in person, which is expensive and has limited coverage. They will film a series of four television programs in the field and air them on a popular TV station in Kenya. Viewers will be encouraged to provide feedback on their experiences and give their opinions via mobile phone, which will be responded to by experts. Their approach will be evaluated by surveying a population of farmers for changes in knowledge and agricultural practices.