Enhancing rural learning, linkages, and institutions: the rice videos in Africa

Abstract

Africa Rice Center (WARDA) facilitated the development and translation of 11 rice videos. From 2005 to 2009, WARDA partners translated them into more than 30 African languages. Open-air video presentations enhanced learning, experimentation, confidence, trust, and group cohesion among rural people. The videos strengthened capacities of more than 500 organisations and hundreds of thousands of farmers. WARDA's integrated rural learning approach also helped women to access new markets and credit. Learning videos allow for unsupervised learning; unleash local creativity and experimentation; facilitate institutional innovations; and improve social inclusion of the poor, youth, and women.

Améliorer l'apprentissage, les liens et les institutions en milieu rural : les vidéos sur le riz en Afrique

Le Centre du riz pour l'Afrique (ADRAO) a facilité le développement et la traduction de 11 vidéos sur le riz. Entre 2005 et 2009, les partenaires de l'ADRAO les ont traduites en 30 langues africaines. Des spectacles vidéo en plein air ont amélioré l'apprentissage, l'expérimentation, l'assurance, la confiance et la cohésion des groupes au sein de la population rurale. Les vidéos ont renforcé les capacités de plus 500 organisations et de centaines de milliers d'agriculteurs. L'approche intégrée d'apprentissage rural de l'ADRAO a par ailleurs aidé les femmes à accéder à de nouveaux marchés et au crédit. Les vidéos d'apprentissage permettent l'apprentissage non supervisé; déclenchent la créativité et l'expérimentation au niveau local; facilitent les innovations institutionnelles; et améliorent l'inclusion sociale des pauvres, des jeunes et des femmes.

Aumentando o aprendizado rural, vínculos e instituições: os vídeos sobre arroz na África

O Africa Rice Center (WARDA) promoveu a criação e tradução de onze vídeos sobre arroz. De 2005 a 2009, parceiros do WARDA fizeram a tradução deles para 30 idiomas africanos. Shows de vídeo em céu aberto melhoraram o aprendizado, as experiências, a segurança, a confiança e a coesão de grupos entre as pessoas da área rural. Os vídeos fortaleceram a capacidade de mais de 500 organizações e milhares de produtores rurais. A abordagem de aprendizado rural do WARDA também ajudou as mulheres a terem acesso a novos mercados e crédito. Vídeos de aprendizado permitir aprendizado sem supervisão promover a criatividade e experimentação local; facilitar as inovações institucionais e melhorar a inclusão social dos pobres, jovens e mulheres.

Para mejorar el aprendizaje, los vínculos y las instituciones en el campo: videos sobre arroz en África

El Centro Africano del Arroz (CAA) elaboró y tradujo once videos sobre arroz. De 2005 a 2009, las contrapartes de CAA tradujeron los videos a 30 idiomas africanos. Estos videos, rodados sobre el terreno, muestran los avances en el aprendizaje, la práctica, la confianza y la cohesión grupal entre campesinos. Los videos contribuyeron a que más de 500 organizaciones y cientos de miles de campesinos mejoraran su práctica. El método del CAA, centrado en el aprendizaje rural integral, también ayudó a que las mujeres tuvieran acceso a nuevos mercados y a préstamos. Los videos de aprendizaje: (1) permiten la enseñanza autónoma; (2) despiertan la creatividad y la experimentación local; (3) facilitan la innovación en las instituciones; y (4) promueven la participación de los pobres, los jóvenes y las mujeres.

Keywords:

• Gender and diversity
• Labour and livelihoods
• Methods
• Technology
• Sub-Saharan Africa

Acknowledgements

We thank the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Government of Japan, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) for their financial and moral support for WARDA's integrated rural learning approach.

Notes

In late 2009, WARDA changed its name to AfricaRice. Its full name – Africa Rice Center – remains unchanged.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Paul Van Mele

Paul Van Mele (corresponding author) is Program leader, Learning and Innovation Systems at the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) in Benin. He has worked for nearly 20 years in international research and development. His research interests include processes to enhance system linkages, local innovations, and scaling up of collaborative learning through video and rural radio.

Jonas Wanvoeke

Jonas Wanvoeke is research assistant in the Learning and Innovation Systems Program at the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice). In 2003, he obtained his MSc in Management of Agricultural Knowledge Systems (MAKS) at Wageningen University, after which he worked for several years with grassroots organisations before joining WARDA. <[email protected]>

Espérance Zossou

Espérance Zossou is post-master in the Learning and Innovation Systems Program at the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice). She obtained her MSc degree at the University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin. Her thesis analysed how video triggered technological, organisational, and methodological innovations among women rice processors and service providers in central Benin. <[email protected]>