The Use of Cartoons in Promoting Ecological Organic Agriculture among Children and Youths in Smallholder Farming Communities

Abstract

This paper aims to showcase the functionality of a cartoon in promoting ecological organic agricultural knowledge among youths in smallholder farming communities. A pretest and post test quasi experimental design was used on a group of urban, peri-urban and rural primary school children of age 5-12 years between 2015 and 2016. The 12 EOA cartoon Book topics upon which the tests were made on the school children were developed in a participatory manner involving scientists, farmers, cartoonists, youths and animators. Observations indicate that using a cartoon in teaching EOA knowledge provided a relaxed learning mode, while the learners are entertained. The interactive and entertaining environment enhances the retention of the ecological organic agriculture principles and practices embedded in the cartoon images, sounds and symbols, hence a conclusion that cartoons in whatever format, are important tools in promoting EOA practices through increasing youth academic achievement and the level of knowledge retention in ecological organic agriculture.