We have recently begun to investigate the effectiveness of local animators who use lower-cost MP3-based equipment to play audio tracks from the existing repository of videos in an interactive, participatory format. With the increasing prevalence of community radio in India and Africa, this variant of the Digital Green model could combine the benefits of both systems.

In a study, called Audio Green, we are experimenting with audio by giving village-level animators MP3 players instead of TV and DVD players. Currently, audio is ripped from the existing videos, copied onto these MP3 players, and given to animators in the village. Regularly, three nights a week, animators present the audio in segments interspersed with commentary, presentation of explanatory illustrations, discussion, and question-and-answer. The animators pause/rewind/fast-forward the audio in order to keep the audience engaged. And, unlike community radio, Audio Green meetings are more on-demand, participatory, more visual, and can be rescheduled to fit the schedules of village residents. We do not yet know if audio is as effective as video, but preliminary results are promising.

Listen to an excerpt of an audio lesson about azolla (MP3, 2 minutes, 1.7 MB).

The benefits of audio over video are:

1. Cheaper price for audio player compared to TV
2. Ability to put many audio files on audio player, reducing the need to manage sets of DVDs
3. Audio player and speakers can use only batteries, working even through power outages

Audience can still listen to audio despite power outage!

Of course, video also has many benefits over audio, including:

1. More visually engaging
2. Audience both sees and hears local farmer presenting new agricultural technique
3. Presenting farmer is excited to appear on TV
4. People in villages already desire or have TVs

Audio Green uses posters with illustrations to supplement the audio and replace the visual aspect of the videos.

During an Audio Green meeting, local animator (Mahalaxmi) refers to a poster that shows step-by-step instructions for adopting the practice of azolla cultivation.

When animators want new content, they exchange their MP3 players for a MP3 player that has been updated with the latest audio clippings. We are also planning to experiment with recording audience feedback using the microphone on the MP3 players and sharing that feedback to inform other farming communities.

People involved: Gerry Chu, Rikin Gandhi, Kentaro Toyama, Ravin Balakrishnan, Mahalaxmi, Nagaraj, Rama