The Use of Rural Radio to Test and Diffuse Extension Messages

The Use of Rural Radio to

Test and Diffuse Extension Messages

Prepared for USAID/Niger September 26, 1996

Submitted by:

John Lichte Henry Hamilton Ouseini Kabo

HERNS Delivery Order # 20 The Human and Educational Resources Network Support 4630 Montgomery Ave, Suite 600 Bethesda, MD 20814 Acknowledgments

Many people have contributed to the success of this activity. We would like to thank Commandant Saley Moussa, Curt Nissly, David Miller and George Thompson for their support and assistance. We thank INRAN for the interest, support and participation ofTanimou Daouda, Mahamane Assoumane, and Abdoulaye Tahirou on the committee supervising these pilot ventures during a period of intense activity for INRAN. We would like to thank the Ministry of Agriculture for the participation of Ousman Abdou, from the Department of Agriculture's audio visual unit, and making Ouseini Kabo available for this exercise. We appreciate the participation ofFatmata Ousmane, from the AFRJCARE Goure project, throughout the activity. Finally we would like to thank the Nigerien Association of Radio Clubs for their efforts to make this activity a success, particularly, Na Awache Tambari, Secretary General, and Hassane Balla Kieta, who produced and recorded the actual extension messages in Zarma and Haoussa. Table of contents

Acknowledgments ...... i

Table of contents ...... 11

Acronyms ...... 1v

Executive Summary ...... v

1. Activity background and objectives ...... 1 1.1 Background ...... 1 1.2 Revised Objective ...... 2 1.3 Approach ...... 2

2. The use of radio for extension purposes ...... 3 2.1 The importance of communication in extension ...... 3 2.2 The evolution of the relationship between researchers, extension personnel and rural populations in Niger ...... 4 2.3 National and regional radio systems ...... 5 2.4 Nigerien Association of Radio Clubs ...... 5 2.5 The rural radio experience of other organizations ...... 6 2.5.1 CARE International ...... 6 2.5.2 PRSAA ...... 6 2.5.3 PASP/GTZ ...... 7

3. Organization of the activity ...... 7

4. Development of the message and presentation ...... 8 4.1 Choice of topics ...... 8 4.2 Choice of presentation ...... 8 4.3 Choice of test villages ...... 8 4.4 Preparation of the message ...... 9 4.5 Tests in the village ...... 10 4.5.1 Zanna village tests ...... 10 4.5.2 Haoussa village tests ...... 13

11 5. Lessons learned ...... 14 5.1 Format and presentation of extension messages ...... 14 5.1.l A reading of the technical information ...... 14 5 .1.2 The use of a skit or dramatic piece ...... 14 5 .1.3 Length of the message ...... 14 5.1.4 Discussion of the topic by villagers ...... 15 5.1.5 Adapt message to the local context ...... 15 5.2 The capacity to assimilate technical information ...... 16 5.3 Use of an interdisciplinary team to design extension messages ...... 16 5.4 Testing and feedback ...... 16

6. The potential of ARCN ...... 16

7. Future activities and use of the messages prepared ...... 17

ANNEXES ...... 19

Annex A: Revised Scope of Work for HERNS D.O. #20 ...... 20

Annex B: Contacts ...... 22

Annex C: Technical recommendations for the message on the treatment of cowpea plants against insects with a solution of tobacco and soap ...... 24

AnnexD: Technical recommendations for storing cowpea seed in a clay jar mixed with cinders, or cowpea pods in a grainery using the leaves of Boscia Senegalensis ...... 26

1ll Acronyms

ARCN Association des Radio-Clubs du Niger ASDGII Agricultural Sector Development Grant (Phase II) DA Direction de l' Agriculture fCFA Franc de la Communaute Financiere Africaine GTZ German technical assistance HERNS Human and Educational Resources Network Support INRAN Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger MAGEL Ministere de !'agriculture et l'elevage NGO Non-governmental organizations NRM Natural resource management ORTN Office de Radiodiffusion et Television du Niger PASP Projet integree des resources agro-sylvo-pastorales PRA Participatory rural appraisal PRSAA Projet de renforcement des services d'appui agricole US AID United States Agency for International Development

IV Executive Summary

The HERNS activity described in this report is a pilot activity in the field of using rural radio to test and diffuse extension messages. The activity brings together INRAN researchers and extension personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture and NGOs to work with the Niger Association of Radio Clubs (ARCN). ARCN has a network of village level radio clubs with animateurs trained to lead a discussion of the extension messages broadcast by ARCN on the national radio network. Frequently these discussions are recorded by at least a sample of the agents and the cassettes returned to ARCN as a means of generating feedback in the form of villagers' reactions to the topics presented in the broadcasts.

The activity focused on generating and testing extension messages in Zarma and Haoussa which were tested in the Tillaberi and Zinder Departments, respectively. These messages were:

1. Tested in a few rural communities to improve the quality of the messages prepared for radio diffusion by involving villagers in the preparation process.

2. Designed, and the testing supervised by, an interdisciplinary committee representing researchers, extension, NGO and radio club personnel.

In the process of designing and testing these messages:

3. Committee members learned significant lessons about communicating with the rural populations and about the needs, constraints and opportunities of the rural populations which can inform the work they do in their respective institutions.

4. Committee members experimented and learned how to present an extension message in a manner which will attract a larger listening audience and increase the proportion of listeners who retain the message, thus substantially improving the potential impact of the message.

Committee members found that a short dramatic piece or skit attracted and retained villagers' attention much better than just reading the message over the radio. However, it had to be combined with a summary to insure that villagers understood the technical content of the messages. Portions of recorded discussion among villagers in communities where the messages were tested were integrated into the recorded message to further increase their credibility. But the attention of listeners begins to waver after about 20 minutes and discussion by villagers must be highly focused on the principle theme or it may detract from listeners ability to remember the message. The message needs to be adapted to the local context and the villagers' frame of reference. Western units of measure like liters, grams and hectares make it very difficult for most villagers to comprehend the message. The capacity of villagers to

v assimilate technical information depends in part on their previous contact with such concepts through education, extension or other rural development activities.

The collaboration of a multi-disciplinary team on the design and testing of these extension messages was particularly important. Testing and feedback are a critical part of any effort to make extension messages used in radio diffusion more effective.

One often has the impression that technical messages presented in radio programs "go in one ear and out the other." ARCN helps villagers retain the message and improve understanding by organizing group listening followed by discussion. The return of recorded discussions to ARCN provides a feedback mechanism which allows clients and collaborators to evaluate the impact of their message. The scale of this evaluation may potentially be as large as the 500 villages in which there are radio clubs. But the future of the ARCN is in question because they do not have government support and receive donor support only for activities in the UNICEF project zone.

While ARCN needs to adapt a system of testing extension messages on a small scale before large scale diffusion, their ability to test and diffuse extension messages is a function which could be very beneficial to projects or programs such as INRAN outreach and the PRSAA extension. Radio diffusion and testing of extension messages is one way to increase the participation of rural populations in the process of technology development and transfer. It is a function that would complement other extension activities and efforts to increase the participation of rural populations. If properly designed, the combination of the several extension methods would have a synergistic effect and be more effective when used together. The small scale testing provides an opportunity for researchers, extension and NGO personnel to learn more about the populations targeted and their needs, constraints and opportunities. Feedback after large scale diffusion would allow the evaluation of technologies and technical messages by a much larger segment of the rural population than is otherwise possible.

Vl 1 . ACTIVITY BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

1.1 Background

The Human and Educational Resources Network Support (HERNS) program, funded by the Global Bureau of USAID, was originally contracted by USAID/Niger to participate in the design and implementation of an "Applied AG/NRM Distance Learning Pilot Program" in Niger (HERNS Delivery Order# 20). HERNS consultants designed this pilot program in the later part of 1995 with the expectation that related activities would begin in early 1996. The original program focused on working with the agricultural research and extension systems to improve technology development and transfer. The long-term objectives of the program were to contribute to:

1. The institutionalization of the voice of the "end user" in the technology development and transfer (TDT) process;

2. An improvement in "end user" participation through a widespread change in approach; and,

3. The leveraging of previous USAID/Niger investments in human capacity development in ways which maximize the development results of these prior training activities.

In particular, it was perceived that improved communication between the agricultural research system in Niger and rural populations was necessary to improve both decisions about which technologies are developed, and the function of transferring technical information to the rural populations. Program activities were based on the idea of introducing participatory rural appraisal practices to agricultural and natural resource research and extension personnel and NGOs. This would improve communication and understanding such that the needs, constraints and opportunities of the rural populations ("end users") would help guide decisions about research and technology development. The combination of more appropriate technology and better communication would also improve the transfer to, and the successful adoption of technology by, rural populations. One of the communication systems explored was the use of rural radio to diffuse extension messages and elicit feedback from the rural population through the intermediary of village radio clubs.

The coup d'etat on January 27, 1996, resulted in the application of 508 restrictions to Niger, and interrupted the planning and implementation of the proposed HERNS pilot activity. However, the pilot activity remained on the list of activities to be completed in the USAID Mission's wind-up program. Plans changed continually throughout 1996 in response to changes in the political situation. Finally in August 1996, a team was fielded to implement a pilot program before the Mission wind-up scheduled for September 27, 1996. At this point,

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 1 the Scope of Work still focused heavily on training for and the implementation of participatory, diagnostic field activities or Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). This may have been appropriate when the activity was scheduled to take place before the rainy season cropping activities began. However, it is difficult to travel in rural Niger in August-September, and it is the busiest time of year for rural farmers. NGOs, like CARE, which have the capacity to lead PRA training activities, are unwilling to participate until after the early harvest in November.

Under these conditions, and in consultation with USAID/Niger, the HERNS field team decided to revise the Scope of Work and focus the activities in the limited time remaining on the development and testing of innovative and effective extension messages.

Diagnostic field activities, although not always participatory or well done, are continually being implemented in Niger by INRAN, the Ministry of Rural Development extension program, ASDG II, NGOs, and other donor projects. These local level assessments provide a basis from which to draw themes which can be used to develop an extension message suitable for radio broadcast. The testing of such messages allows "end users" or rural populations an opportunity to react to and comment on the extension message and its presentation prior to diffusion on a large scale. It is expected that this interaction and feedback will contribute to the institutionalization of the voice of the end user in technology development and transfer.

1.2 Revised Objective

The revised objective of the HERNS activity is to provide selected AG and NRM researchers and extension personnel at INRAN, NGOs, and other Nigerien organizations, with a better understanding of, and skills in, the development of extension messages for radio diffusion and in eliciting feedback from the target population as an integral part of the process of developing extension messages.

1.3 Approach

The resulting activity focuses on bringing together INRAN researchers and extension personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture and NGOs with the Niger Association of Radio Clubs (ARCN), which has a network of village level agents trained to lead a discussion of the extension messages broadcast by the ARCN on the national radio network. Frequently, the field agents record these village discussions and return the cassettes to ARCN, from which a second broadcast is produced which presents the reactions of local populations to the original message. However, traditionally in preparing messages for broadcast, the ARCN has only minimal support for research and extension specialists, and does not test its messages on a small scale before nationwide transmission. The testing on either a small or large scale is an additional means of integrating participation of rural populations into the technology development and transfer process.

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 2 It was hypothesized that:

1. Testing extension messages on a small scale in a few rural communities would improve the quality of the messages prepared for radio diffusion by involving villagers in the preparation process.

2. The use of an interdisciplinary committee representing researchers, extension personnel and the ARCN would be an appropriate means to design and supervise the testing of improved extension messages.

3. In the process of supervising the testing of extension messages in rural communities, committee members would learn significant lessons about communicating with the rural populations and about the needs, constraints and opportunities of those rural populations.

4. The impact of extension messages could be substantially improved by experimenting with the manner in which they are presented, to attract a larger listening audience and to increase the proportion of listeners who retain the message.

5. The results of the testing, and the experience gained by researchers, extension, NGO and radio personnel in the testing process, can help inform choices within theses institutions concerning which technologies to develop and diffuse.

2. THE USE OF RADIO FOR EXTENSION PURPOSES

2.1 The importance of communication in extension

The transmission of technical information is one of the critical points in any development activity. Progress in rural development depends in large measure on the comprehension and adoption of technology, which in tum depends in large measure on the effectiveness of the method or approach by which the technical information is conveyed.

Communication is a process used in extension to transmit a message in order to change people's behavior. It is also a process of information exchange. Communication is one of the determining factors in the transfer of technology. Extension is an educational process that attempts to change the attitudes, abilities and behavior of target groups, in order to improve the adoption of innovations resulting from research activities.

The extension personnel must use the tool of communication effectively for their educational activities ifthe objective is to increase adoption of new technologies by target groups. They

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 3 should serve as a bridge between research and the target group (producers or a rural population) using, depending on the audience and the technology in question, mass media, group or individual methods of communication. But it is important to emphasize that the effective transmission of the message or technology requires the use of appropriate techniques of communication and these should be evaluated through a system of feedback. Thus it is important not only to transmit a message, but assess if the message was understood, and evaluate its eventual impact.

Effective communication in rural development activities in Niger is constrained by the following:

1. Rural development agents lack sufficient training in communication techniques.

2. Collaboration between researchers, extension personnel and villagers is still insufficient. The identification of problems and solutions and the preparation of technical messages should be done in close collaboration.

3. Insufficient testing of technical messages before diffusion.

4. Under-utilization of ARCN, which could make an important contribution.

5. Insufficient adaptation of technical messages to local conditions and target group circumstances.

6. Lack of verification and evaluation of the impact of technical messages diffused.

2.2 The evolution of the relationship between researchers, extension personnel and rural populations in Niger

From the colonial period through 1981, there was no interaction between agricultural and natural resource researchers and rural populations. Occasionally, extension personnel conveyed to farmers a technical innovation resulting from research efforts. Villagers were excluded from the process of choosing research themes, or validating and adapting technologies. It was assumed that the role of research was to generate technology, that extension would serve as the means of diffusion, and the producer would be a passive receiver of these technologies. Between 1981 and 1990, diverse research and extension activities permitted, although insufficiently, the relationship between research, extension and the rural population to become more interactive. Since 1991, INRAN has established a number of mechanisms to improve these relationships. Among these mechanisms, the collaborative agreement between INRAN and the directorates of national technical services (Agriculture, Livestock, and Environment) served to formalize and reinforce the linkages and interactions between researchers, extension personnel and rural populations. During this period, research and extension services adopted an approach based on resolving producers' constraints and on involving villagers in the search for solutions. This approach is

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 4 integrated into the training and visit system of extension now applied in Niger through a project financed by the World Bank.

Monthly meetings provide an exchange of experience between researchers, extension personnel and villagers and the training of extension personnel. During these meetings, technical recommendations are developed by the group of researchers and extension personnel on subjects which are of interest to producers. Occasionally these recommendations are selected and sent to regional radio stations for translation and diffusion in local languages. These are the technical extension messages directed at the rural population, but their impact has never been verified or measured. Thus, the feedback dynamic necessary for the normal functioning of the system to develop technical messages has not yet been established.

2.3 National and regional radio systems

The national radio system, known as "the voice of the Sahel," broadcasts nationally in shortwave out of Niamey, under the supervision of the National Office of Radio and Television (ORTN). Regional FM stations broadcast to about a 60 km radius around the provincial capitals ofTahoua, Dosso, Diffa, Maradi, Zinder and Agadez. National radio broadcasts daily from 06:00 to 08:00, from 10:00 to 15:00, and from 18:30 to 23:00. The regional stations fill in the time slots not used for national broadcast with local produced programming, i.e., from 08:00 to 10:00 and from 15:00 to 18:30.

2.4 Nigerien Association of Radio Clubs

The Nigerien Association of Radio Clubs (ARCN) is a quasi-independent association with the objective of supporting radio clubs in rural villages. It was begun as a government agency in 1962 with the objective of helping educate the rural populations. It broadcast once a week for 30 minutes, and transmitted two messages per month, twice each in Haoussa and Zarma. The number of radio clubs grew from eight to as many as 500. Government support eroded over time and was withdrawn completely during the 1984-85 famine, at which time ARCN stopped broadcasting. Reports indicate that it fell into disfavor after a new regime replaced one which had used the Radio Club broadcasts for political purposes.

Village animateurs were paid 10,000 fCF A a month to cover the cost of supplies, equipment maintenance and transportation. These animateurs organized villagers to listen to the ARCN broadcasts or tapes as a group, and led a discussion of the topic of the broadcast. When possible, the appropriate technical service agent was asked to participate and help answer additional questions which villagers might have. In some cases, these discussions were taped and sent back to ARCN to use in broadcasts devoted to feedback from villagers on topics previously broadcast (emission carrefour).

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 5 In 1986, USAID engaged ARCN to broadcast messages on democracy and it returned to broadcasting a bi-monthly thirty minute program on national radio. USAID provided training, equipment and supplies for 50 new village animateurs, and funded training for an additional forty.

UNICEF has been ARCN's primary client since 1990. It provides training, equipment and supplies for approximately 325 animateurs in its zone of operation in areas around Maradi and Madaoua. Many ofUNICEF's messages relate to health, nutrition and hygiene rather than agriculture and natural resource management. UNICEF no longer pays the animateurs 10,000 fCF A per month, but has opted instead to provide radio club related supplies and equipment in kind. UNICEF also plans to move towards working with regional radio stations in the future. It appears that in 1996, ARCN's entire broadcast program has been funded by UNICEF.

The Government of Niger no longer provides any direct funding for ARCN. While it may have at one time had 500 radio clubs, it has had little or no means to pay or provide supplies and equipment for animateurs outside ofUNICEF's zone of operation. How much of the network remains functional outside of the UNICEF area remains in question.

2.5 The rural radio experience of other organizations

2.5.1 CARE International

CARE has experience using rural radio for extension purposes in several different areas. It uses regional radio to broadcast NRM messages in Maradi, AIDS prevention messages in Tahoua, and general health care messages in Zinder. Regional radios are self-supporting and charge broadcast fees commensurate with their advertising fees. National radio has a series of rates which favor organizations which use a particular time slot regularly over an extended period of time. CARE uses its own agents to lead discussions of messages heard on the radio. CARE evaluates the number of listeners the message has reached, their reaction to the presentation of the message, and the level of understanding of the message itself. It has not done a follow up to evaluate changes in behavior or attitude related to their radio messages. But they do believe that 60 percent of the local population heard one or more of the 15 transmissions in each of three local languages, of an AIDS message in Tahoua. CARE has developed an evaluation of feedback which might serve as a model for other radio users such as the ARCN.

2.5.2 PRSAA

The World Bank-financed Projet de renforcement des services d'appui agricole (PRSAA) produces video messages and an occasional radio message from an audio-visual unit in the Directorate of Agriculture (DA). This unit was established by the USAID funded National Cereal Project in 1975. Briefly abandoned at the end of the project, the DA later decided that it should make use of the equipment provided. It frequently asks regional radios to prepare

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 6 messages on specified topics. It has not evaluated either the audience or whether the messages have been understood.

2.5.3 PASP/GTZ

The Projet agro-sylvo-pastoral (PASP) funded by German Technical Assistance targets radio messages at villages participating in the project, as well as potential participants in the project zone. Originally, PASP worked with ARCN to prepare extension messages, but in recent years opted to contract the production of radio messages to independent producers who deliver the finished product directly to the national radio for transmission. The P ASP Director of Communications says that they have found that radio messages which demonstrate the experience of villagers in using recommended techniques to be the most effective. Radio messages are closely coordinated with the collaborative activities of the field agents.

3. ORGANIZATION OF THE ACTIVITY

A multi-disciplinary committee was established to supervise the design and testing of the extension messages. This committee provided a means of interaction between representatives of different organizations (research, extension, NGOs, ARCN, and USAID consultants). INRAN participation changed over time, but the basic committee consisted of:

1 or 2 representatives of agricultural research (INRAN) 1 representative of agricultural extension (DA/MAGEL) 2 representatives of ARCN 1 NGO representative (AFRICARE's Goure Project) 2 representatives ofUSAID 1 extension communications specialist who served as President and resource person for the committee

The committee was charged with choosing the topics for the extension messages, choosing the manner in which the messages would be presented, and supervising the preparation and testing of the messages. The committee did in fact choose the topics, choose several styles of presentation for testing, develop complete messages in French, supervise and help translate the messages into Zarma and Haoussa, critique the message to ensure that it was technically correct, critique the presentation on several occasions for interest and clarity, and attend the testing of the messages and their presentation in four Zarma and four Haoussa villages to evaluate the reactions of the listening audience and their comprehension of the message content.

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 7 4. DEVELOPMENT OF THE MESSAGE AND PRESENTATION

4.1 Choice of topics

The committee rather quickly identified two general subject areas which responded to criteria developed during its initial discussions. It determined that the topics should:

• be based on technical recommendations from agricultural or natural resource research; • be adapted to the zones where the messages would be tested; • use materials which are available to rural populations; and • be appropriate for the time of year (crop/activity calendar) in which the tests would occur.

After looking at a number of technical recommendations from INRAN, the two topic areas chosen were:

• the treatment of cowpea with a tobacco and soap based solution to protect it from insect attack; • protecting cowpea seed stored in clay jars, and cowpea pods stored in granaries, from insect attack by mixing wood cinders with the seed and the leaves of Boscia Senegalensis with the pods, respectively.

4.2 Choice of presentation

The committee recognized that the often used approach of presenting extension messages in long interviews with researchers or other officials might be rather boring to listeners. Members suggested that what really attracts a listening audience are the radio plays presented each weekend. A decision was made to test whether a form of radio theater could be used to present technical messages in a manner which would attract a larger listening audience. Results would be compared to a recorded reading of a statement which would identify the technique, its advantages, what materials are needed, preparation, and application. All tests would be based on recordings of the message in whichever form of presentation.

4.3 Choice of test villages

There was a tacit understanding from the beginning that extension messages would be prepared in both Zarma and Haoussa. Zarma preparation was initiated first since Zarma speaking villages are within easy driving distance from Niamey. The cowpea-focused topics required that the villages selected be in areas where cowpea is grown. ARCN was asked to identify 4 test villages in the Tillaberi-Ouallam area, in conjunction with local extension authorities. ARCN had an animateur and an agricultural agent who would also be present.

Various contacts indicated that the nationally renowned troupe of Haoussa actors was in Zinder, not Niamey. It was suggested that they be used to create the Haoussa skit, both because their

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 8 reputation would attract an audience and because they have extensive experience creating skits to fit a theme which some organization wants to communicate. Since Niamey is some distance from the Haoussa speaking zone, it was decided to send the committee to Zinder to prepare the Haoussa message in collaboration with the acting troupe, and do the tests in nearby villages. Once there, ARCN would again identify 4 villages in cooperation with local extension authorities, where there would be both an ARCN animateur and an extension agent available for the test.

4.4 Preparation of the message

The preparation of the message consisted of several stages:

• developing a message concept for the chosen topics; • translation of the message concept into Zarma and Haoussa, initially by members of the committee, complemented by the work of the actors for the skits; and, • production of the message in the form of a skit and a "simple reading."

The committee started with copies of the technical recommendations for the two topics, but soon concluded that these were insufficient and often inappropriate for the preparation of a good extension message. They recognized from the start that the measurements in kilos, liters and hectares would be extremely difficult to translate in a manner which rural populations could understand and emulate. Some of the technical recommendations looked at in choosing the topics might have been appropriate for laboratory use, but it was unclear how they could be used in rural Niger. The committee also found it necessary to develop reasons why villagers would find it advantageous to use the techniques in question.

Much of the development of the message concept came as the committee members attempted to translate the message into Zarma. When they tried to express the content of the technical recommendation in the local language its deficiencies became much more apparent. While ARCN representatives were expert in the transcribing the message in local languages, they often needed help in finding appropriate translations of technical ideas. The research, extension and radio club members of the committee collaborated closely to produce a Zarma translation of the message concept which was transcribed by ARCN representatives.

The translated texts were transmitted to the actors which the ARCN had contacted to produce the Zarma language skits and the reading of the messages. It took about three days for the six actors to learn the message and create initial skits for the two messages. Originally, the actors had presented the two skits as a main plot, followed by a sub-plot. It quickly became clear that the sub-plot could not stand on its own as an independent message, and had to be developed into a full plot in its own right. The actors improved the skits several times and the committee listened to several rehearsals before the messages were deemed ready for recording. The.technical service personnel identified a number of technical errors in these initial rehearsals, as well as ideas of how to improve the presentation of the messages. One of the most interesting moments of the

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 9 entire exercise was listening to researchers, extension personnel, radio technicians and actors all arguing about how best to present these ideas. That is the kind of dynamic which seems to be necessary to insure that messages are technically correct, clear and entertaining, and which is currently lacking in the process typically used to prepare extension messages in Niger.

4.5 Tests in the village

At this point, the committee had two topics each presented in two different manners. It was decided that it would be ineffective to use both forms of presentation in the same village, since the second time through the topic, the villagers would already know it. It would also take several hours to test both presentations. Therefore, it was determined that each of the four different topic/presentation combinations would be tested in a different village.

A preparatory mission was sent to each village several days in advance to make arrangements for a specific day and time, and otherwise organize the test with village authorities. In each of the four villages a recorded message was played which lasted from 12 to 20 minutes. After listening, the ARCN animateur led a discussion concerning the topic which was presented. Villages were asked for their assessment of the presentation as well as questions to probe their understanding of the content. The animateur at each step would either confirm a villager's answer or ask another villager to respond. At the end of the discussion, a volunteer would be asked to give a summary of the message.

4.5.1 Zarma village tests

The results of the first test caused the committee to rethink its concept of the message. The first test was a presentation of the skit on the treatment of cowpea plants with the tobacco and soap solution insecticide. The villagers enjoyed the skit and it was followed by a lively discussion, but villagers did not retain the details of how to prepare and apply the insecticide. A research representative on the committee repeated the details of preparation and application at the request of the villagers. After that, the discussion demonstrated a much better comprehension of the message. While the skit was a success in terms of retaining the attention and interest of the audience, it was not effective in communicating the content of the message. At this point, it was decided that for the skit on the second topic, a summary would be added to the message recorded.

The entire committee attended each test and discussed the results immediately following each test with the local animateur. The committee's evaluation of the effectiveness of each form of presentation was strictly qualitative. However, a number of things were very evident. During the reading of a message, conversations among the audience never stopped. Discussion tended to start-up very slowly after a reading of the message, much as if people really had not heard what was said. During the skits, the audience was silent and very attentive. After the skits, discussion was animated although not always on target. Although committee members began the exercise with somewhat different ideas about what was the best form of presentation, after the four tests in Zarma villages, the committee was unanimous in its support for the skit + summary

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 10 combination. Zarma was a second language in one of the villages where the skit was tested, but with the summary, the level of comprehension seemed to be quite good. The results of the Zarma village tests are presented in tables 1 and 2.

The ARCN had long argued that one of the most effective forms of presenting a topic was to record a discussion of villagers about that topic, i.e. the type of feedback they get from the radio clubs, following a first transmission on a topic. ARCN then prepares a second transmission on the topic consisting entirely of comments, questions and discussion by radio club members. The committee asked ARCN to pick some of the more insightful questions and answers recorded during the debate, and add them to the tape to fill the remainder of a 30 minute transmission. The committee listened to the results of the skit-debate-summary combination at the end of the Zarma tests, and was pleased with the results.

Table 1: Qualitative assessment of the effectiveness of two methods of communication: (1) skit-summary, and (2) reading of the prepared message.

Messages Skit + Summary Reading Villages: Garbey Malo Boubon Mary Sansani Kouara Haoussa Ml very good good M2 very good satisfactory*

N.B. : M 1 =Message on the treatment of cowpea crop with tobacco and soap solution

M 2 = Message on the conservation of cowpea seed with cinders and cowpea in the pod with the leaves of Boscia Senegalensis

* Rain terminated the test at Sansani Haoussa a little sooner than the committee would have liked.

Based on the experience of the tests in Zarma villages, the committee decided that it would drop the form of presentation, which included only a reading of the extension message, for the tests in the Haoussa villages. But since the skit-debate-summary presentation had not been tested in the Zarma villages, it would be done in the Haoussa villages. The first and second tests in Haoussa villages would test the prepared skit-summary combination for each topic, and allow the recording of the villagers' discussion of the topics, which could be added to the tape. The tests in the third and fourth villages would test the skit-debate-summary combination for each of the two topics.

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 11 Table 2: Strengths and Weaknesses of each presentation method

Method Strengths Weaknesses - Clear presentation of the - Lengthy preparation process problem Skit + summary - Requires several different - Captures the audience's types of specialists in the attention from the beginning planning and preparation with lively and dynamic dialogue - Production is complicated

- Stimulates curiosity and - If not well prepared, it can arouses interest confuse people in villages who have had little - Retains the audience's experience with rural attention throughout the development programs such em1ss10n as extension and education

- Enriches and enlivens the discussion about the message

- Opportunity for group interaction between researchers, extension and ARCN personnel

- fast and easy to produce, - Does not capture the does not require specialists audience's attention from the Reading beginning, thus it carries the risk that people will not listen attentively, people may even sleep, get up and leave, or carry on a conversation with others during the reading

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 12 4.5.2 Haoussa village tests

The first test in a Haoussa village also provided some surprises. The recording of the skit + summary on the treatment of cowpea plants with the tobacco and soap solution was played, and was not understood. Since Haoussa was a second language for the village, the committee at first supposed that there was a language problem. A Kanouri speaking member of the committee provided a summary of the topic in their own language, and the message was still not understood. The discussion was not something anyone wanted to add to the taped message.

The village was relatively isolated in the sense that it did not have a school and had received the benefit of very few rural development interventions. Apparently, they had very little experience with new technologies and the concepts which might help them understand the message. The committee concluded that a certain level of experience with development activities and technology is very helpful, if not necessary, to allow people to understand technical messages communicated through audio media.

The second Haoussa village test was the opposite extreme, a village which had benefited from a school since colonial times and had extensive contact with development activities over the years. The villagers understood the message completely and the discussion was spirited and insightful. The committee decided that given the understanding of the audience and the presence of an exceptionally good animateur, they would also present the message which had not been understood in the first test village. This allowed the integration of elements of village debate into the two message recordings, so that the complete skit-debate-summary combination could be tested in the third and fourth villages.

Two refinements resulted from the testing of this complete skit-debate-summary combination in the final two villages. First it was found that 30 minutes was too long a period to retain good attention. Although people like to hear the comments and opinions of other villagers, when the entire message extended longer than about 15-20 minutes, peoples attention began to waver. Also it became clear that one must choose the elements of discussion presented very carefully. If the discussion mentioned alternatives or wandered from the core theme of the message, people were as likely to remember the alternative or side issues rather than the technology which the message was designed to promote. With these results, the committee asked the ARCN technicians to go back through both Zarma and Haoussa messages and edit out any discussion which might detract from the central theme. This allowed an improvement in the quality of the message, but also reducing each to approximately a 20 minute length.

One of these last two test villages was again a village which spoke Haoussa as a second language. But once again, the village was able to understand the message and carry on a dynamic discussion in Haoussa. This helped confirm the conclusion of the committee that the problem in the first Haoussa test village was a lack of experience with the types of concepts presented, not just a language problem.

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 13 5. LESSONS LEARNED

5.1 Format and presentation of extension messages

How does one get and retain the attention of an audience and present technical information, when using radio as the media, so that it will be clearly understood? This exercise is only a preliminary step towards addressing this question. Undoubtedly the effectiveness of radio as a medium, and the best method, depends not only on the complexity of the message in question, but also on the experience of the listening audience with related concepts, and with technology in general. This exercise identified the importance of the following issues:

5 .1.1 A reading of the technical information

A recorded reading of a technical message did not appear to be very effective. When recordings of such readings were presented in test villages, conversations among people in the audience never stopped. Discussions following such presentations started very slowly, as if in fact, people had not been listening.

5.1.2 The use of a skit or dramatic piece

Villagers clearly enjoy skits and they hold their attention better than do technical readings, interviews with officials who present technical information, or even the discussion of a topic among villagers. However, a dramatic piece, even when it contains technical information, tends to be perceived as a form of entertainment. People tend to focus on characters and relationships between characters more than on the details of the information being presented. It may, however, be very effective in arousing curiosity and creating a desire to understand the information in question. To present technical information effectively, the skit must be combined with other tools, such as a summary of the details. This exercise did not test different forms which such a summary might take, a summary by a character within the skit, a summary by a commentator outside the skit, or some combination of the two.

One of the problems in using a skit is the need to place it in a context and/or create a bridge between it and any discussion which follows. In some cases, villagers did not seem to understand the relationship between the skit and a discussion of the technical message. Thus the quality of the anirnateur seemed to be an important factor in making this connection. To reduce this dependency, it may be necessary to establish a context and a bridge, perhaps by the using a "commentator" in the recorded message. Again, this test did not move into that level of detail.

5 .1.3 Length of the message

ARCN has traditionally had a 30 minute time slot on the radio, and ORTN time slots for "programs" as opposed to announcements or commercials tend to be in 30 minute segments.

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 14 Thus the committee began the exercise with the idea of designing a 30 minute program. In fact, the tests demonstrated that this is too long to maintain the attention of an audience. After about 20 minutes, people would start to converse among themselves, wander off, etc. This might in fact change ifthe skit and message were put together in a different manner. One alternative might be to make the skit more entertaining and less technical, focused on creating an attitude in which people want to know how to solve a particular problem. Then following this in with a short, specific technical message. If most of the time span is entertaining, the attention span may well increase. Messages over 30 minutes will cost more to broadcast, but it is not clear if a 20 minute broadcast would cost any less than a 30 minute program under present pricing policies.

5.1.4 Discussion of the topic by villagers

There is a general belief that villagers find the testimony of other villagers more credible than that of government officials or actors playing a role. Therefore, ARCN uses discussion by villagers as a primary vehicle for presenting extension messages, and the committee decided to integrate elements of such discussion into the messages prepared. They later found however, that if the discussion deviated at all from the main theme of the topic, that it had a detrimental rather than a positive impact. The exercise did not test whether the message was more effective after discussion was integrated. Given the problems encountered both with length and with discussion which did not emphasize the central theme, it may be that a skit, followed by a summary of the technical information, is as or more effective than after the discussion is integrated. Or perhaps discussion could be more effective if it is presented as brief, very focused, clips by a commentator.

The PASP/GTZ project is convinced that the most effective format for an extension message is to have the technique presented, described and its advantages discussed by a villager who has used the technique. To use this approach, an organization like INRAN might want to link the design and preparation of radio messages to their own farm testing program.

5.1.5 Adapt message to the local context

It is particularly important to adapt the extension message to the rural and local context. One of the biggest problems in presenting the technical information from INRAN technical recommendations was the use of measurements not generally known by local populations, such as liters, grams, and hectares. Technical recommendations based on such measures are not likely to be understood, and therefore are not an adequate basis for extension messages in general, and those presented through the medium of radio, in particular. INRAN needs to do much more to field test their recommendations and to convert measurements to something a villager can understand and use. This might be done either by finding local measures, for example one of the bowls in the stacked set often given to women as a mariage gift, or using half a pail (of some specific or standard size) rather than an equivalent number ofliters. It is true that such measures would be less precise, but at the moment, many technologies remain unadopted or are misused, because the target population can not understand them.

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 15 5.2 The capacity to assimilate technical information

The choice and number of languages in which extension messages, particularly those containing technical information, are presented will always be an issue. It is one of the arguments for increased use of regional radio to help target specific groups for specific messages. But the experience shows that many villagers who speak one of the dominant national languages as a second language can understand technical information presented in audio form. It is, however, not evident that audio media like radio are well adapted to presenting technical information in isolated villages with little education (formal French language schools, literacy training, Koranic schools, etc.), and little experience with rural development interventions. In such villages, a visual media, or a more traditional demonstration by extension personnel, may well be necessary to effectively communicate technical information, at least until the villages achieve a certain experience in dealing with technological concepts. Unfortunately, no one has a very good estimate of how many among the 10,000 villages in Niger, fit into this category.

5.3 Use of an interdisciplinary team to design extension messages

It was particularly helpful to have an interdisciplinary team working together on the design of the extension messages. Officially, the committee consisted of researchers (agronomic and economic), extension personnel (extension education/communication, audio visual, and NGO field staff), and radio club communication specialists. The input of actors and villagers also contributed greatly to the final design. The contribution of these different specialists was essential in moving towards new and more effective methods for presenting technical information in a manner which is both interesting and accurate.

5.4 Testing and feedback

Testing and feedback are a critical part of any effort to make extension messages presented through radio diffusion more effective. ARCN has one good and very effective feedback mechanism, but it only comes into play after a (potentially ineffective) message has been diffused on a large scale. Testing how people in a few villages react to a message and improving that message before large scale diffusion, seemed to be a new concept. CARE and PASP/GTZ seem to have different testing and feedback mechanisms in their radio message programs that might serve as models for other organizations.

6. THE POTENTIAL OF ARCN

There are several very useful components of the ARCN radio broadcast program. One often has the feeling that many radio messages "go in one ear and out the other" of the listening audience. Obviously, such messages will never be effective. The village radio clubs organize villagers to listen to broadcast messages as a group, and lead a discussion of the topic, for perhaps an hour, following the broadcast. (In some cases, the animateurs may record the broadcast and play it at a

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 16 time more convenient for the villages.) One has to believe that villagers are more likely to remember a message which they have discussed in this manner.

The village level animateurs may also record the villagers' discussion and return these tapes to the ARCN offices. Listening to a sample of these tapes allows ARCN and the client to learn how villagers reacted to the message, and how the villagers think they might use the technology in question. While this element of feedback is excellent, it should be complemented by more pre testing of messages on a small scale, before large scale diffusion.

ARCN has expertise in the techniques of preparing, recording, and editing tapes, in the transcription of a message in local languages, so that it remains consistent when presented in the local language, and in working with groups like actors and the technical services who might contribute to the production on an extension message. There does appear to be a tendency to be content with patterns and approaches developed over the years, rather than trying to improve on tradition. While most research and extension activities and most projects have a regional focus, ARCN continues to try to centralize all radio-club functions in Niamey. It would seem that it would have a better chance of attracting donor/project funding if there was a greater willingness to decentralize ARCN functions.

One of the major questions regarding ARCN's potential is its lack of financial support. ARCN's core personnel have not received government salaries for some time, and the prospects of this situation changing do not seem very bright. Most of ARCN's 500 radio clubs, outside the 325 supported to work in the UNICEF project zone, have not received any support in the last several years, and it is unclear how many still function. ARCN would like to be able to support all 500 animateurs with a stipend of 10,000 fCF A per month. This implies a cost of $120,000 per year to maintain the structure, without counting the cost of the functioning of the central office or the preparation and broadcast of a specific set of messages. Without some form of general support, it is very expensive to contract ARCN to prepare and broadcast a small number of broadcasts. Even $12,000 a month to support the animateurs to work on a specific set of broadcasts will discourage many potential clients. It seems somewhat unlikely that any one project or donor will be willing to support this level of costs, when they may be able to accomplish the functions of the radio clubs, by training existing project agents to serve a similar role. The radio clubs may have to evolve towards some form ofregional organization in order to survive.

7. FUTURE ACTIVITIES AND USE OF THE MESSAGES PREPARED

This very limited pilot activity had neither the time nor the budget to fund the actual transmission of the messages created, maintenance of the ARCN network, and feedback from the village level radio clubs. Copies of the messages prepared have been left with ARCN for use in their radio series. The committee member representing the audio/visual service within the Directorate of Agriculture, also has a set. That unit prepares the radio and TV messages for the PRSAA integrated extension project. Four copies of the cassettes were presented to INRAN for evaluation and distribution to other interested organizations.

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 17 It seems important to maintain the function of the radio clubs, whether or not the ARCN can be maintained as an organization. There are several alternatives which might do this. One would be for a decentralized radio club structure to work with regional research, extension and project activities. Given the localized focus of most projects, funding from projects and donors seems much more likely ifthe radio clubs reorganize in this manner. Another would be for a major project to integrate these functions into their programs, possibly employing some or all of the ARCN personnel in the process. The primary alternatives for this type of action would appear to be INRAN or the PRSAA, both of which are funded by the World Bank.

INRAN would like to improve its outreach programs and the transfer of the technologies which it develops to rural populations. It also needs feedback from those rural populations concerning the technologies it develops, to evaluate those technologies in the real world and to guide the choice of which technologies to develop in the future. The use of rural radio is one of several means which INRAN might use to help accomplish these objectives. Certainly, broadcast of extension messages can help INRAN reach many more people with information about new technologies. If done using the radio club approach, it also has the potential to provide feedback from large numbers of villagers. To the extent that researchers and extension personnel are involved in pre testing messages for diffusion, it provides one more means for them to communicate with, and learn about the needs, constraints and opportunities of different rural populations. It also provides another means by which rural populations can evaluate the products and participate in the development and transfer of technology process. The use of rural radio to test and diffuse extension messages would be an excellent complement to increased use of rapid rural appraisal and participatory rural appraisal activities and on-farm trials. To the extent that villagers who already use a technology provide the most credible source of information about that technology, a close relationship might be developed between on-farm trials and the preparation of extension messages for radio diffusion.

Another possible way to think about using rural radio would be to link it to the training and diffusion cycle of the training and visit extension system used by the PRSAA. Conceivably, a radio extension message could be prepared to correspond to the new message which extension agents are typically expected to receive and diffuse every two weeks in the training and visit extension system. The message would complement the extension agents' training, and would complement the extension efforts of those agents as well. Every two weeks, the new extension message would be broadcast and heard by large numbers of the rural population. When the extension agent arrived with this same message, many villagers would already be aware of the topic, having heard it on the radio. To the extent that the radio messages help change attitudes and create a desire to know more about the technology, extension agents would find a more fertile environment in which to present their extension message or demonstrate their new technology. In return, extension agents would render the radio diffusion more effective by demonstrating the technology and answering questions which villagers might have about its use. There is reason to believe that the two systems working together and complementing each other would be much more effective than either system working separately.

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 18 ANNEXES

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 19 Annex A: Revised Scope of Work for the HERNS D.O. #20

A. Background

The long term objectives of the HERNS Delivery Order #20 are to contribute to:

1. Help institutionalize voice of the "end user" in the technology development and transfer (TDT) process; and 2. Improve end-user participation through a widespread change in approach.

The original Scope of Work focused heavily on training for and the implementation of participatory, diagnostic field activities or Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). This was appropriate when the activity was expected to take place before the rainy season cropping activities began. However, it is difficult to travel in rural Niger in August-September, and it is the busiest time of year for rural farmers. NGOs, like CARE, which have the capacity to lead such training are unwilling to participate until after the early harvest in November.

Diagnostic field activities, although not always participatory or well done, are continually being implemented in Niger by INRAN, Ministry of Rural Development extension program, ASDG II, NGOs, and other donor projects. These local level assessments provide a basis from which to draw themes which can be used to develop an extension message suitable for radio broadcast. Rural villages will be provided an opportunity to react to and comment on the extension message and its presentation prior to diffusion on a large scale. This interaction and feedback will contribute to the institutionalization of the voice of the end user in technology development and transfer.

Revised Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to provide selected AG and NRM researchers at INRAN, NGOs, and other Nigerien organizations with a better understanding and introductory skills in the development of extension messages for radio diffusion and eliciting feedback from the target population as an integral part of the process of developing extension messages.

B. Detailed Statement of Work

The tasks outlined here are the present understanding of what will be possible and feasible in the present context of mission close-out and the limited time left for program activities. Later steps of the activities are subject to modification by agreement with the mission Project Officer as the results of the earlier steps are realized.

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 20 The Consultants will:

1. Meet with interested research and extension organizations and NGOs in Niger which have experience in diagnostic field activities. Establish a committee of interested participants to select themes and a presentation strategy for the development of an extension message for radio diffusion;

2. Assess the feasibility and desirability of drawing on the ARCN rural radio broadcast system as a partner in addressing rural producer needs;

3. If feasible, plan and conduct meetings of the committee to select themes and plan the development of a message to be broadcast through the ARCN network or other medium.

4. Under the supervision of the committee, and in collaboration with ARCN, produce and test an extension message in Zarma and Haoussa.

a. Produce an extension message proposing technological solutions to needs identified by the committee based on diagnostic field experience.

b. Test the message (seek feedback) in a limited number of Zarma and Haoussa villages and revise the message if necessary.

5. Plan and conduct a final meeting discussing lessons learned in tasks 1-4 above and planning further activities that partners can undertake independently of USAID. In addition to participants in meeting/workshop described in task # 1, representatives of other partner organizations may be invited to participate.

6. Produce a brief final report describing the findings of the demonstration activity and discussing follow up activities to be undertaken by local partners.

C. Deliverables

1. Work plan, names of the committee members who will supervise the development and testing of the extension message. 2. Meetings and a workshop on lessons learned during the experience. 3. An extension message (tape or cassette), tested and ready for large scale diffusion by radio broadcast in Zarma and Haoussa. 4. A short final report describing a) the findings of the pilot activity and b) discussing follow-up activities which can be undertaken by local partners, independently of USAID.

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 21 Annex B: Contacts

AFRICARE

Aaron G. Marshall, Jr. Resident Representative Fatimata Ousmane Head of women's activities, Goure

ARCN

Na-Awachi Tambari Secretaire General Radio Club Hassane Balla Kieta Realisation (Zarma) Kangueye Oumarou Realisation, (Zarma) Abdou Zada Realisation, (Haoussa) Sidibe Abdoulaye Redacteur Documentaliste

CARE

Yan Schollaert Director, CARE Niamey Zak:arie Madougou CARE-Maradie, A/V Technician Mai" Zoumou Sali CARE-Maradie, Asst A/V Tech PASPA Dr. Sani CARE-Zindere, General Health Bak:o Bagassa Coordonnateur du Projet Pilate SIDA et Migration au Niger

Direction de I'Agriculture

Chipkao Indrissa Directeur Ari Kori Chef de Service Vulgaration et Promotion Ousman Abdou Tech A/V, Producer of Radio Messages

INRAN

Dr. Gouro S.A. Directeur General Chetima Mai" Moussa Chef PCI/CERRA-NY Ly A. Samba Chef PSPTT/CERRA-NY Annou Garba ChefRGRN/CENO-NY Moussa Oumarou Interim Director Taminou Daouda Chef CLRVIINRAN-Kollo Abdoulaye Tahirou Chercheur DECOR

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 22 Mahamane Assoumane Chercheur-Maradi Dr. Douma Amadou Chef de Programme Amelioration de Production Animales

Ministere de I' Agriculture

Ousseini Kabo Conseiller Technique, Committee President for the HERNS activity

ORTN

Mme Ousmane Fati Directrice of Administrative and Financial Affairs M. Confou Commercial Director

PASP-GTZ

Ibrahim Coulibaly Director Mohammad Sido Information/Communication Officer

UNICEF

Helene A YIKA Information/Communication Officer

USAID

Curtis Nissly Chief, Natural Resource Management David Miller Natural Resource Management Haj. Saley Moussa Natural Resource Management John Katt Chief, Office of Financial Management Geroge Thompson Chief, Economic Reform & Micro-enterprise Development

World Bank PRSSA

El Haj Salifou PRSSA

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 23 Annex C: Technical recommendations for the message on the treatment of cowpea plants against insects with a solution of tobacco and soap

Comment Reduire les Parasites du Niebe

Tabac a Chiquer:

Le principe actif du tabac est la nicotine, elle a un effet insecticide de contact, fongicide et acricide.

* Ravageurs cibles: Pucerons, cicadelles chenilles, coleopteres, perce-bois. Precaution d'Emploi

Eviter tout contact avec la peau, les yeux et inhalation

Ne pas consommer les produits traites avant 4 jours

Traiter de preference vers 18 heures afin d 'eviter l' action de la lumiere qui diminue beaucoup l' efficacite de la nicotine.

Ingredients: 250 g feuilles de tabac 4 litres d' eau 1 litre d'eau savonneuse (savon dur)

Preparations:

Emouller 250 g de feuilles ecrasees de tabac dans un morceau de tissu, tremper l 'emballage dans une recipient contenant 4 litres d' eau propre, fermer et laisser au repos pendant 24 heures.

Un peu avant usage remuer, presser et retirer l'emballage du recipient puis filtrer la solution.

Ajouter a cette solution 1 litre d'eau savonneuse servant d'adhesif.

Utilisation:

Pour application au champ ajouter un volume d'eau propre de cette solution (tabac + savon = 5 litres), soit 10 litres de solution pour un fontan. 10 litres peut traiter 113 d'ha.

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 24 Solution eau savonneux:

Prendre un morceau de savon dur de Marseille et l' ecraser en de petites particules (jusque en poudre). Utiliser de trois doigts dans un litre d'eau et laisser au repos pendant 24 heures, remuer et d'en filtrer.

N.B. Eviter Omo et savon parfume.

Le reussite depende de la preparation de la solution du temps d' application, et de celui qui applique le produits.

Efficacite: 70 a 90 pour-cent sur les pucerons et cicadelles (done les piqueurs et suceurs).

II peu tres bien concurrencer les insecticide chimique.

Observation: Traiter le matin entre 7 heures a 9 heures OU de 1 7 heures a 19 heures. Le tabac craint la lumiere et la chaleur.

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 25 Annex D: Technical recommendations for storing cowpea seed in a clay jar mixed with cinders, or cowpea pods in a grainery using the leaves of Boscia Senegalensis

La Conservation de Niebe

I. Conservation des Semences de Niebe:

La conservation des graines de niebe peut etre effectue dans des canari moyens (10 kgs de niebe) ou dans un grand canari (jarre ou joula, 30 a 40 kg de niebe).

Etapes a suivre:

1. La cendre employee doit etre bien tamisee afin d I eliminer les grosses particules de charbon.

2. Niebe graines et cendre sont melanges a volume egale, c'est a dire, prelever chaque fois une tasse de niebe et un tasse de cendre et les verser dans une grande cuvette.

3. Melanger la contenu de la cuvette pour donner une bonne repartition de la cendre autour des graines de niebe.

4. Apres avoir melange cendre et graines de niebe, verser la contenu de la cuvette dans le canari, puis tasser avec precaution avec les mains la contenu du canari.

5. Lorsque le canari est plein, on ajoute un couche de 3 cm de cendre pour couvrir le melange.

6. Fermer hermetiquement le canari.

II. Conservation des Gousses de Niebe (dans le grenier)

On peut conserver les gousses de niebe en bon etat a l 'aide des feuilles de certaines plantes locales comme par exemple:

Boscia senegalensis (Anza)

La methode consiste a superposer, dans le grenier, des couches de feuilles de la plante choisie et des couches de gousses de niebe: une couche de feuilles + une couche de gousses + une couche de feuilles, etc .....

HERNS Delivery Order Number 20 26