Field schools and plant clinics: effective agricultural extension approaches to fight the coconut lethal yellowing disease and improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Grand-Lahou, Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Field schools and plant clinics are key extension tools to fight the lethal yellowing disease of coconut that is severely
impacting the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers in Grand-lahou, Côte d’Ivoire. Field schools have
trained 1,960 men and women farmers on coconut farming, marketing and disease management. Six Women Groups
have been created to support women in establishing cassava yards as an alternative food and cash crop. Plant clinics
have mobilized circa 600 producers that are willing to pay consultation services to plant doctors. Young farmers
foresee plant doctors as a new local job source. The number and diversity of coconut products sold by women
farmers through Women Coconut Fairs increased 64% from 2015 to 2016 enabling women to sell and marketing, and
to identify small business opportunities. Sex-disaggregated surveys revealed the main gender issues and major
constraints associated with the coconut production chain in Grand-Lahou. Field schools and plant clinics are
effective approaches to engage farmers, stakeholders and policy makers, and to empower women. These may be also
the most suitable platforms to discuss and encourage the implementation of low-cost local interventions on behalf of
the farming community.