Demo Plots

Training & Information Medium Ambition Input Provider Off-taker

Definition

Demo plots are small-scale experimental fields established on company-managed land to educate, and learn from, farmers about effective agricultural practices under local conditions. The primary goal is to demonstrate good agronomic practices and encourage the adoption of innovative farming techniques. Recommended practices are often demonstrated on one plot, next to an identical plot on which farmers' existing practices are demonstrated for comparison purposes. If farmers' methods are more successful than the demonstration plots, recommendations can be adjusted. The innovation aims to prove the merit of recommended practices and encourage wider adoption, disseminating and adapting proven agricultural practices and technologies.

Lead Actors

Input Provider; Off-taker

Target Demographics

Farmer Groups; Farmer Organisations; Smallholder Farmers

Objectives addressed

Farmer related

Improve yields: By demonstrating to farmers the most effective input use and farming techniques for optimal productivity under local conditions, farmers are expected to adopt these practices and in turn increase their own productivity and yield.

Increase farmer income: Higher yields and better quality produce, achieved through adoption of demonstrated practices, should translate to increased sales revenue.

Increase climate resilience: Demo plots can serve as a risk management strategy. Many of the practices promoted aim to enhance climate resilience by demonstrating how to reduce the impact of shocks and improving preparedness and mitigation capacity.

Business related

Address sourcing needs: Successful demo plots can lead to consistent supply and quality products for off-takers, if farmers are receptive, willing and able to adopt the practices

Contexts Best Suited to

(Export) Crops: with strict size and quality standards.
Input trialling: to test new input(s) or encourage shift from one input to another (e.g., biofertiliser)

Key Risks

Adoption resistance: Farmers may show resistance to adopting new, unfamiliar practices demonstrated in demo plots or fail to be convinced to change their current practices and adopt new ones. However, with repeated interactions and successful testimonies from other farmers, they tend to become more receptive.
Implementation challenges: Challenges to implementation may include logistical issues and the need for timely delivery of inputs.

Environmental Impact

Ambiguous: Potential to have a positive environmental impact, either at a small-scale due to sustainable farming practices on the demo plot, or at a bigger scale additionally on the farms of the farmers who adopt practices learned via the demo plot.

Ambition level
Medium

Time

A significant upfront time investment required to establish the demo plot. Low recurring time investment to maintain demo plot.

Investment Need

For companies that do not have access to land, the cost to access land to host the demo plot are moderate. Cost of inputs required to establish and maintain demo plot are low but recurring.