The Village-Based Advisor (VBA) model

Agricultural extension services to farmers are vital for enhancing productivity and production of agricultural produce in Kenya. However, the ratio of agricultural extension workers to farmers stands at 1:5,000 compared to the recommended ratio of 1:400. This paper outlines how Farm Africa and AGRA are helping to plug this gap in Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties by creating a network of Village-based Advisors (VBAs) made up of well-informed, passionate farmers who receive specialised training to provide technical extension services, inputs and market linkages to other services to other farmers.