Testing and Validation Visit to the Vavinaqiri Farming Community

Testing and validation of materials

We returned to the Vavinaqiri farming community to show them the extension materials produced after the initial discussions with them. The essence of the second visit was to test the materials with the farmers for: ease of comprehension of the messages, applicability of the information to farming practices, conformity with cultural norms, appropriateness of measuring units recommended, appropriatenes of colour schemes, readability of messages in terms of font sizes and general appeal of the materials.

The three trainee groups worked with farmers of the following demographic profiles - i) youths and women; ii) adult male farmers; iii) adult male farmers. The main crops cultivated in the area were sugar cane, cassava, yam, dalo (taro) and sweet potatoes. Duruka is mainly harvested in the wild among bushes near the village.

As we convened in the church, participants worked with the various groups to elicit their comments. The following comments were made by the groups:

Brochure on cassava production
Desired amendments from the women and youth group were as follows:
Picture of cassava on the cover page should be a colour picture and include image of cassava tuber.
Standardise the colours of green and brown throughout the brochure.
Use pictures from the community farms as opposed to pictures from other countries.
Insert a picture of an adult white fly so the farmers can know what they look like.
Write the fertilizer application rate beside the fertilizer name.
Provide specifics of application of white oil spray.
Use measurement units the community is familiar with. E.g, spoon measurements rather than metric measurements.
Provide alternatives to fertilizers example, crop rotation, composting etc.

Brochure on long bean production
Commendation: The men’s group reported that this was the first time that a brochure had been presented to them for agriculture purposes. They were happy to have been provided that access to agriculture information in the form of a brochure. Colours and text are good.

Desired amendments were as follows:
Quantities and measurements should be in bags rather than in metric measurements of kgs and grams, and areas should be in chains rather than hectares.
Chemical rates should be broken into ha/acre/half-acre/quarter-acre or chain and tabulated for easy applicability.
For chemical and fertilizer application, specify rates/time of application and growth stages.
Provide illustration on chemical rates in terms of cups and spoons rather than metric units.
Provide more images and include advice on planting beans on slopes. Provide images of varieties of beans available in Fiji.

Brochure on pest and disease management of watermelon
Desired amendments were as follows: Provide information and illustration on the planting and production of watermelon.
Provide more information on Anthracnose disease of watermelon, when does it occur.
Provide more information on flower full during excessive wet season. Increase the font size and image sizes for better lisibity.