Towards a farmer-centred extension service : the case of Uluguru Mountain Agricultural Development Project, (UMADEP) Morogoro, Tanzania

Abstract

Uluguru Mountain Agricultural Development Project which is based in the Department of Agricultural Education and Extension at Sokoine University of Agriculture, uses a combination of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Participatory Technology Development (PTD), Farmers' Groups and Farmer to Farmer extension approaches. Experience in the use of these approaches shows that farmers in collaboration with extension workers have developed activities which address location specific problems, generated appropriate technological innovations that are sustainable and take into account the socio-cultural and economic milieu of the communities. In addition, this has led to the formation of the farmers' groups which facilitate learning, decision-making, and adoption of agreed innovations.