Evaluation of T&V and Participatory Agricultural Extension Approaches as Strategies to Improve on Women Livestock Farmers in the North West Region of Cameroon

Abstract

This study focused on the evaluation of training and Visit (T&V) Approaches and Participatory approaches (PA)
to agricultural extension as strategies to improve women livestock farmers in the Northwest Region of
Cameroon. Primary data was collected through the use of structured questionnaires, observations, focus
groups and interview guides. Secondary data were obtained from books, journals, research projects and
scientific articles. Multistage sampling techniques was used for the selection of farmers included in the study.
Results from the study reveals that, Farmer Field School (37%), participatory approach (47%) and Training and
Visit approaches are the most used extension approaches. Despite the use of these approaches, women
livestock farmers continue to have limited extension information and innovations to help them improve on
livestock activities. Also, it was noted that, there exist limited extension staff to assist women in the rural area
thus leading to lack of information. We realized that, both T&V and PA approaches can be very effective in
providing livestock information. This can be through provision of extension workers with enough inputs to
permit effective dissemination of extension information and innovations. We therefore, encourage policy
makers and educators to ensure the provision of train extension workers should reach out to rural areas and
should be accompanied with inputs and infrastructures that can permit workers stay and work with these rural
women who are doing livestock as their main activity.