COLME

PLEASE NOTE: COL’s COLME programme was wound down during 2007-2008. Please see www.col.org/livelihoods for COL’s current Livelihoods & Health programme activities.

VIDEO 

A feasibility study completed by COL in Jamaica revealed that agricultural extension workers had access to training but the system of disseminating the information to farmers was not effective or efficient.  Radio was ruled out as an appropriate delivery system for several reasons. The hilly terrain of the country provided limited coverage for the target group.  The information would be of limited value to the farmers in that radio does not have visual content for demonstration and step by step training methods.  Many farmers are also illiterate and cannot use print-based materials.  Video has a media is available through out the Island with many farmers either owning a VCR or having access to one.  There was already a small video production unit at the main headquarters in Kingston but the video produced did not exactly address issues that concerned farmers in the rural areas.  The production unit is outdated and also does not focus its output on extension.  Therefore, a formula was conceived by COL to produce both video and audio productions at the regional offices by the personnel who are in touch with the target audience - the extension worker.  COL partnering with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is presently starting the process to pilot a low-cost video production system for use by agricultural extension workers.  Essentially, an extension worker could videotape with a camera any issue or training solution.  The video is then edited on the production system and then  the resulting video is shown to the target group.  The video edit system is designed for ease of use by the novice yet is appropriate for professional level broadcasters. 

Evaluation 

The ongoing evaluation will be done with COL, RADA and a local agricultural expert.  RADA will monitor the project.  The extension workers combining the information collected will complete an evaluation questionnaire.  Another indicator of success and sustainability will be the videos are produced will be how effective they are in aiding farmers in their work. 

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