TY - JOUR
T1 - “Here we give advice for free”
T2 - the functioning of plant clinics in Rwanda
AU - Majuga, Jean Claude N.
AU - Uzayisenga, Bellancile
AU - Kalisa, Jean Pierre
AU - Almekinders, Conny
AU - Danielsen, Solveig
PY - 2018/10/3
Y1 - 2018/10/3
N2 - Although plant clinics are considered an important mechanism in the service delivery to farmers, not much is known about their functioning in the daily reality of plant doctors and farmer-clients. This article reports on an exploratory study describing the functioning of eight plant clinics in Rwanda. Personal and organisational commitment, publicity, and proactive communication with farmers and local leaders are key factors explaining higher attendance of some clinics. Farmer attendance is under-reported by 40–50%. Data management needs improvement to make clinic records reliable tools for decision-makers. This type of assessment can help improve operations and realise the plant clinics’ potential.
AB - Although plant clinics are considered an important mechanism in the service delivery to farmers, not much is known about their functioning in the daily reality of plant doctors and farmer-clients. This article reports on an exploratory study describing the functioning of eight plant clinics in Rwanda. Personal and organisational commitment, publicity, and proactive communication with farmers and local leaders are key factors explaining higher attendance of some clinics. Farmer attendance is under-reported by 40–50%. Data management needs improvement to make clinic records reliable tools for decision-makers. This type of assessment can help improve operations and realise the plant clinics’ potential.
KW - Environment (built and natural)–Agriculture
KW - Gender and diversity
KW - Sub-Saharan Africa
U2 - 10.1080/09614524.2018.1492515
DO - 10.1080/09614524.2018.1492515
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85052068624
SN - 0961-4524
VL - 28
SP - 858
EP - 871
JO - Development in Practice
JF - Development in Practice
IS - 7
ER -