1. Nicole Mason on behalf of the SIIL/Tanzania Project Objective 2 Team
Mothers, babies, or both?
A test of alternative private sector-led extension approaches for sustainable intensification
Nicole Mason on behalf of the SIIL/Tanzania Project Objective 2 Team
August 8, 2016– East Africa Learning Lab Meeting/ MSU, East Lansing, Michigan

2. SIIL TZ “Obj. 2” - Bi-directional learning
Context & hypothesis
SIIL TZ “Obj. 2” - Bi-directional learning
“To evaluate forms of bi-directional learning (BDL) about SI technologies among researchers, extension, agribusiness firms, and farmers in the challenging environment of poorly-resourced public agricultural extension programs.”
BDL: iterative process by which info providers and farmers fine-tune recommendations on fertilizers, seeds, and mgmt
Broad hypothesis: extension approaches that incorporate BDL are more effective at promoting SI than more uni- directional approach
Info providers – e.g., extension, researchers, NGOs, agro-dealers 1

3. Operationalizing the hypothesis
Implementing partner: Farm Input Promotions-Africa (FIPS-Africa)
Mission: “cost-effective and rapid mass dissemination of … appropriate farm inputs, and development of associated advisory services”
Village-Based Agricultural Advisors (VBAAs)
Seed donated by private sector and ag research institutes  VBAAs then:
Distribute small packs to farmers (baby demos)
Set up a demo plot (mother demo)
***Always do both (mainly maize)
VBAAs trained in “good agricultural practices”, entrepreneurship/small business development, FIPS helps them get certified by gov’t as agrodealers 2

4. Research design Focus on improved varieties of beans
Randomly assign 230 VBAAs to one of 3 treatments:
(a) Mother demo only
(b) Baby demos only *
(c) Mother + baby demos **
Train all VBAAs in participatory extension methods
Measure relative effectiveness of treatments on VBAA performance and (indirectly) farmer demand for seed for improved varieties of beans, Apron Star (more later)
H1: (b) > (a) learning-by-doing
H2: (c) > (b), (a) bi-directional learning
Many programs mother demo only; little empirical evidence; shape future FIPS-Africa approach 3

5. Operationalizing the hypothesis
Maize mother demo
Beans baby demo
Site visit with FIPS-Africa VBAA, Mbozi District, June 2016 4 4

6. Research design (cont’d)
MOTHER DEMO
-all varieties
-with and without Apron Star
BABY DEMO
-usual variety vs. one improved variety
-with vs. w/o Apron Star
Per Syngenta, “Apron Star is a seed treatment fungicide-insecticide mixture for controlling downy mildew, damping-off diseases as well as for protection of seeds and seedlings against early season insect pests and soil borne diseases”
Usual
Usual w/ AS
Improved
Improved w/ AS 5

7. Study area 7 maize/bean districts in Southern Highlands Mbeya Region
Mbozi (30)
Njombe Region
Makambako (30)
Njombe (30)
Iringa Region
Iringa (30)
Mufindi (50)
Ruvuma Region
Songea (30)
Number of VBAAs in parentheses 6

8. VBAA Performance Indicator Examples
# of farmers
Given small packs
Provided extension advice
Involved in mother demo
Attending VBAA field days (and # of field days hosted by VBAA)
VBAA sales and farmer orders
VBAA sell any inputs?
Specific inputs
Apron Star
Beans, maize seeds (by variety)
Inorganic fertilizers (by type)
# of chickens vaccinated (NC)
VBAA use of other partici- patory extension methods
Emphasize that only surveying VBAAs (don’t have resources to do farmer surveys) 7

9. Thank you! Questions/comments?
This research is supported by Michigan State University and the Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab through funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development. 8