569
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
B. R. Singh et al. (eds.), Climate Impacts on Agricultural and Natural Resource
Sustainability in Africa, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37537-9_32
Digital Storytelling as an Agricultural
Extension Communication Tool
in Smallholder Farming and Fishing
Communities in Malawi
Neil Gordon Davey and Michael Kirby Moulton
Abstract Digital storytelling can overcome many of the challenges faced when
communicating agricultural extension messages. It can represent a focused farmerto- farmer communication, document the impacts of projects, and offer data for
analysis. Our method focuses on beneficiaries’ perspectives and how new agricultural technologies impact their lives. Through workshops, 11 final-year agricultural
extension communication students attending Lilongwe University of Agriculture
and Natural Resources were trained on how to collaboratively gather images with
beneficiaries and how to use these images to drive a personal narrative. Flexibility
allowed for data to be gathered efficiently. An image/discussion dynamic led to
information that would hopefully reflect beneficiaries’ perspectives on specific projects. Images were first captioned to create photo-stories. Subsequently, recorded
narratives were added to create what became known as “image-based digital stories.” Fourteen image-based digital stories were produced between November 2017
and March 2018 covering two agricultural projects: “Reducing carbon footprint
through breeding and feeding based technologies for improved productivity” in
Dedza district and “Sustainable environment and enterprise development for climate change adaptation in fisheries” in Nkhotakota district. The stories reflect what
beneficiaries perceive as the most significant drivers and impacts of the respective
projects, for example, the financial and health benefits of improved productivity in
dairy farming; school fees can be paid and children’s health improves through consuming milk. Participants became empowered as part of the research and dissemination process; the methodology enabled us to reach and interact with the farmers
and fishers of Dedza and Nkhotakota in a meaningful way. Moreover, students and
faculty became motivated to further use and develop the methodology. The resulting
data in the form of (a) photo-stories and (b) image-based digital stories can be used
N. G. Davey (*)
Department of International Environment & Development Studies,
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
e-mail: neildavey@clanphoto.com
M. K. Moulton
Learning Centre, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
B. R. Singh et al. (eds.), Climate Impacts on Agricultural and Natural Resource
Sustainability in Africa, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37537-9_32
Digital Storytelling as an Agricultural
Extension Communication Tool
in Smallholder Farming and Fishing
Communities in Malawi
Neil Gordon Davey and Michael Kirby Moulton
Abstract Digital storytelling can overcome many of the challenges faced when
communicating agricultural extension messages. It can represent a focused farmerto- farmer communication, document the impacts of projects, and offer data for
analysis. Our method focuses on beneficiaries’ perspectives and how new agricultural technologies impact their lives. Through workshops, 11 final-year agricultural
extension communication students attending Lilongwe University of Agriculture
and Natural Resources were trained on how to collaboratively gather images with
beneficiaries and how to use these images to drive a personal narrative. Flexibility
allowed for data to be gathered efficiently. An image/discussion dynamic led to
information that would hopefully reflect beneficiaries’ perspectives on specific projects. Images were first captioned to create photo-stories. Subsequently, recorded
narratives were added to create what became known as “image-based digital stories.” Fourteen image-based digital stories were produced between November 2017
and March 2018 covering two agricultural projects: “Reducing carbon footprint
through breeding and feeding based technologies for improved productivity” in
Dedza district and “Sustainable environment and enterprise development for climate change adaptation in fisheries” in Nkhotakota district. The stories reflect what
beneficiaries perceive as the most significant drivers and impacts of the respective
projects, for example, the financial and health benefits of improved productivity in
dairy farming; school fees can be paid and children’s health improves through consuming milk. Participants became empowered as part of the research and dissemination process; the methodology enabled us to reach and interact with the farmers
and fishers of Dedza and Nkhotakota in a meaningful way. Moreover, students and
faculty became motivated to further use and develop the methodology. The resulting
data in the form of (a) photo-stories and (b) image-based digital stories can be used
N. G. Davey (*)
Department of International Environment & Development Studies,
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
e-mail: neildavey@clanphoto.com
M. K. Moulton
Learning Centre, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway