Communication strategies used by participatory ecological land use management (PELUM) association in promoting the adoption of low external input sustainable agriculture (LEISA) among small scale farmers

Problem: The adoption of Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA)
among small scale farmers is low despite the advantages that this form of
agriculture presents to the farmers and the environment.
Objective: The research studied the communication tools used by Participatory
Land Use Management (PELUM) Association Regional Desk (RD) in promoting
adoption of Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA) among its
member organisations and small scale farmers in Zambia.
Methodology: The research was done through student attachment at PELUM
RD. Data were collected using three main methods. These were: in-depth
discussions with members of staff at PELUM Regional and Country Desks;
Focus Group Discussions with s mall scale farmers in Munyeu, Mwembeshi,
Shampule and Mubanga/Westwood areas in Kafue district; and 77 questionnaires
were distributed to individuals employed in PELUM Zambia member
organizations.
Results: PELUM RD uses various strategies in promoting LEISA among small
scale farmers and its member organizations in Zambia. One of which is
communication. 46.2 percent of the respondents indicated that PELUM RD is
not doing enough in communicating LEISA to its members.
Conclusion: PELUM Association Regional and Country Desks need to improve
communication with member organisations in Zambia. The Association should
consider conducting social change campaigns in order to change the attitudes of
the small scale farmers towards LEISA and increase adoption levels.