Private sector embedded extension model to dairy farmers in Kenya sustains field activities during COVID-19 pandemic

A blog by Muthoni Njiru of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), published on 30 June 2020, shows how the dairy component of the Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) programme in Kenya has been able to continue implementing field activities during April-June with minimal disruption despite the challenges occasioned by COVID-19. The continued field activities are credited to the success of private sector embedded extension model, popularly known as the dairy farmer assistant model. The dairy farmer assistants (DFAs) are technical personnel trained in animal health and production, among other skills and are residents in the local community. Their local residence coupled with classification of most of their services as essential has enabled them to continue with service delivery to the farmers. These local extension structures have helped sustain the implementation of some activities, and improved field activity monitoring and support to farmer producer organisations (FPOs) despite the pandemic. At the same time, the AVCD dairy technical team has maintained communication with DFAs – using voice calls, messaging platforms like WhatsApp and virtual meetings on Google Hangouts – to review activity implementation, thus sustaining several field activities of the dairy component. With the reduced communal engagement occasioned by the pandemic, the DFAs use one-on-one interactions during farm visits to mobilize farmers for technology dissemination.