Article type
Abstract
Background: Plantwise is a programme that aims at reducing crop losses and improving food security by collecting and sharing information about plant health. Plantwise is implemented through three interconnected activities. First, PW-K engages key stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture, extension programmes, input suppliers, and regulators to fortify plant health systems. Second, a 'Knowledge Bank' database serves as a repository for plant health information that assists with monitoring pests and diseases. Third, through PW-K, farmers are able to access trained plant doctors through a network of locally run plant clinics that provide smallholder farmers with low-cost access to plant health information and diagnoses of plant health issues.
Objectives: The study assess the changes that PW-K brings to the Kenyan plant health system and the fidelity of Plantwise implementation in the field. The study aims to identify farm-level impacts of the programme on long-term outcomes including input expenditures (fertilisers, pesticides, and labour), yields, farm productivity, and gross margins.
Methods: We designed a 4-year longitudinal randomised-controlled trial in 13 counties, relying on the plant clinic expansion plan from 2014 to 2018. We also collected qualitative data to understand the fidelity of implementation of the program. Finally, we administered exams to extension agents trained by PW-K to understand how knowledge of plant pests and diseases changed after training.
Results: We will discuss results of farm-level impacts after 3 years. Quantitative data from baseline and follow-up show no significant farm-level impacts over the one-year period. However, the measures of impact are in the expected (positive) direction. In addition, plant doctor assessments suggests that plant doctor training has had a large and statistically significant effect on plant health knowledge. Plantwise is an innovative and comprehensive programme that improves coordination, enhances knowledge at multiple levels, and improves diagnosis. However, PW-K also requires more coordination, better implementation and improved use of POMS and the Knowledge bank.
Objectives: The study assess the changes that PW-K brings to the Kenyan plant health system and the fidelity of Plantwise implementation in the field. The study aims to identify farm-level impacts of the programme on long-term outcomes including input expenditures (fertilisers, pesticides, and labour), yields, farm productivity, and gross margins.
Methods: We designed a 4-year longitudinal randomised-controlled trial in 13 counties, relying on the plant clinic expansion plan from 2014 to 2018. We also collected qualitative data to understand the fidelity of implementation of the program. Finally, we administered exams to extension agents trained by PW-K to understand how knowledge of plant pests and diseases changed after training.
Results: We will discuss results of farm-level impacts after 3 years. Quantitative data from baseline and follow-up show no significant farm-level impacts over the one-year period. However, the measures of impact are in the expected (positive) direction. In addition, plant doctor assessments suggests that plant doctor training has had a large and statistically significant effect on plant health knowledge. Plantwise is an innovative and comprehensive programme that improves coordination, enhances knowledge at multiple levels, and improves diagnosis. However, PW-K also requires more coordination, better implementation and improved use of POMS and the Knowledge bank.