EXTENSION & TRAINING
Aim
To increase farmer’s knowledge and skills, thereby raising their productivity and income improving their standard of living, and lifting their social and educational standards.
Background
Our extension system operates through technological change as the key to increase farm productivity, and relies on demonstration (seeing is believing) as an effective tool to ensure the adoption of new technologies.
Centres originally called Permanent District Demonstration Plots were set up in the late 1950’s and operated within the Extension Services of the Ministry of Agriculture to offer a closer and better extension support to the farming community. They were later renamed Demonstration Centres. At first DC activities were restricted to the crop sector but were subsequently extended to the livestock sector, including the veterinary services. Since 1995, these centres also host AREU\'s headquarters for three extension regions (North, East and South).
There are presently two Model Farms (MF) and two Demonstration Centres (DC)
- Rivière des Anguilles DC
- Mapou MF
- Flacq MF
- Plaisance DC
Objectives
Besides offering close extension support, these centres provide windows for new technology in foodcrop, livestock and fruit production. On DC/MF’s, farmers can:
- gain access to up-to-date information and new technologies
- develop their skills and acquire knowledge through training
- avail themselves of a wide range of services
Crop Services
- Training of farmers
- Advisory service for production and protection of foodcrops and fruits
- Diagnostic service for pests and diseases of foodcrops and fruits
- Issue of vouchers for the purchase of vegetable seeds
- Interface between the farming community and service providers
- Investigation of farmers’ needs and grievances
- Provision of facilities for research
- Facilitation for access to :
- incentive schemes (S.F.E.S and DBM loan)
- restricted pesticides
- seeds and planting materials
Livestock Services
- Training of farmers
- Diagnostic /Advisory service for production of Livestock
- Interface between the farming community and service providers
- Investigation of farmers’ needs and grievances
- Provision of facilities for research
- Provision of buck service for breed improvement in goats
- Facilitation for access to :
- incentive schemes(S.F.E.S and DBM loan)
- agricultural products (livestock feeds)
- Provision of other services by Agricultural Services of Ministry of Agriculture:
- sale of livestock feed
- veterinary service (except at Mapou DC)
Other Services
- Diagnosis of Diseases and Pests of non-sugar crops, with recommendations for their control.
- Hot-Water Treatment of Cabbage/Cauliflower seeds against Black Rot Disease, and Tomato seeds against Bacterial Scab and Bacterial Speck diseases.
- Treatment of tomato seeds with Tri-Sodium Phosphate (on request) against the Tomato Mosaic Virus (ToMV).
- Training of farmers on specific pest problems.
- Screening of new Pesticide products.
- Field visits to offer practical Advice to individual farmers.
- Training in Elementary Agriculture for Farmers, Agricultural Youth Clubs and Women\'s Associations.
- Conducted tours and Field Demonstrations of improved agricultural techniques.
- Meetings with Farmers and Farmer\'s Associations to brainstorm on problems and solutions thereto.
- Radio-Talks on best Agriculural Practices for the benefit of Farmer.
- Advisory Publications on crop and livestock production as well as the bi-monthly bulletin 'Farming News'.
- Delivery of Vouchers for purchase of seeds at MoA\'s seed centres.
- Issue of Certificates and Field Reports in connexion with farmers\' applications for government-sponsored Loan Schemes, duty-exemption on Utility Vehicles under the Small Farmer Efficiency Scheme (SFES), and farm structures, fencing materials and equipment.