The EAAI project was developed in response to a study that showed rural farmers lacked information and skills related to improving the quality of their products, improving seeds and crop varieties, sourcing inputs/implements, plant diseases, pests and their control, and soil management and conservation. According to the organisers, this lack of information and skills has limited the production levels of rural farmers, and hence has resulted in limited incomes and poverty.

The project involved setting up the Kubere Information Centre (KIC), which acts as an information resource point and supports project implementation and two-way linkages with the women farmers. From the centre, women farmers can access training in agricultural practices, as well as in the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as cell phones. Some of the groups have also received training in group dynamics and management. Group members are also able to share experiences with each other around best practices and new ideas.

The EAAI project has also partnered with existing sources of agricultural information in order to more easily access a greater amount of information, and avoid "reinventing the wheel".

In addition to the centre, the project airs a weekly agricultural radio show, in partnership with community radio station Radio Apac, which provides information about agricultural techniques and resources. Farmers can also receive information by SMS. According to the organisers, these methods of information dissemination have proved very beneficial for group members. Local agricultural information has also been made available on audiotape, videotape, CD-ROM, and on notice boards. All content produced is available in the local language, Luo.

In addition to the direct work with the rural women’s farming groups, the KIC is also participating in an e-Society programme designed to foster collaboration between local government and civil society in the district through the use of ICTs.

Agriculture, ICTs, Women