IMPLICATIONS


Drawing on what has been said in this and the previous chapter,
what are the main implications of the farmers' prior experience,
knowledge and attitudes for your work in facilitating their learning
of new techniques and procedures?

Perceptions
The farmers will see all the new information you communicate
through the "spectacles" of their existing experience and knowl-
edge-just as we all do. Your messages can therefore become easily
distorted.
Constant feedback from them is vital if you are to keep alive
to what the farmers are, or are not, learning.

Confidence
All too often--despite their actual expertise as farmers-they may
too readily believe that they have little to offer (apart from ques-
tions) that is relevant and constructive to whatever subject is under
discussion. It is important to help them see that this is not the case;
because, unless the new learning is linked to what they already
know and do, it will not be absorbed. It will not make a great impact
on their attitudes and behaviour.
You should always explore with the farmers what they
already know about a subject before embarking on any
presentation of new information.
Unlearning
It may be that not all items in the package of knowledge and
expertise that the farmers carry with them are effective in the
changing world of modern agricultural production--or in keeping
with the particular recommendations of the projects with which
you are concerned.
For instance, if a farmer is going to harvest his maize early, to
reduce the damage caused by pests when the maize is left in the
field to dry, then it is no good his putting that maize in storage
structures that do not allow the cobs to dry rapidly. That way, more
damage will be done. The moisture still in the maize will cause
moulds. To benefit from early harvesting he needs to adapt the
storage structures according to the recommendations of the project.
To accept only part of the management package is to run the risk
of solving one problem only to cause another.