Abstract

The Institut africain pour le développement économique et sociale (INADES) disseminates practical, and economically useful information among peasants. Through this project, it will extend its information and educational activities in the south and east of Cameroon, through the distribution of brochures, radio programs, and a variety of audio-visual methods. Specifically, it will publish two journals, one in English and the other in French; produce about 125 regional radio programs; organize six exchange trips by groups of peasants, which will help them acquire new cultivation techniques; and continue the distribution of teaching material.

Post-Project Summary

The INADES-Training team published ten issues of "Courrier des abonnées", out of the 12 that were planned, and six issues of the "Rural Development Review", of which eight were planned. In the course of the project, as suggested by IDRC, the journals went from bimonthly to quarterly so that each issue could be developed more extensively. The team also produced and disseminated 30 radio shows on Yaoundé stations for the East and South Central provinces and 72 shows on Bamenda and Buéa stations. Two out of three exchange trips took place, the third having been cancelled due to political unrest. One hundred and sixteen peasants affected by the program were surveyed by an outside assessor. Over 50% of the peasants questioned listened to the radio shows and approximately 50% used the information transmitted through the journals and radio. Trips and exchanges were greatly appreciated and had a major impact on target groups. The peasants considered the activities' content very instructive and relevant to their major occupations: agriculture, breeding, the life and management of farms and groups. However, the assessor called attention to the need for better promotion of the journals, radio shows and exchange trips that generate peasant participation. The journals had limited impact due to illiteracy among rural populations as well as the subscription cost. A bilingual (English-French) journal was recommended, to reduce production costs.

Recipient Institution(s)