This initiative was part of the DFID Crop Protection Programme 2003–2004 and was carried out in Zimbabwe’s cotton and rice-growing areas. Its aim was to promote research outputs to farmers and to build the capacity of organisations to become effective knowledge providers for farmers. Farmer groups were established to test technologies in a ‘learn by doing’ approach. They were able to provide their assessments on the advantages and disadvantages to extension agents. The exchange of information was done within groups and between individuals.