How Do Role-Playing Games Facilitate Farmers’ Learning of Innovations in Sustainable Land Management?

To improve knowledge transfer and farmers’ learning of innovations, this study analyzes the effect of role-playing games (RPGs) on the adoption of sustainable land management (SLM) practices in Northern Benin. An experimental training protocol using RPGs was conducted with 76 farmers on SLM principles and techniques. The evaluation, based on Bloom’s taxonomy and a before/after assessment, revealed a strong improvement in knowledge: 65% of participants reached an advanced analytical level after the training, compared to only 5% initially. Student’s t-test confirmed a statistically significant difference between mean scores before and after (p <0.05). In addition, 86% of farmers applied at least one SLM practice, particularly those requiring no costly inputs or technical supervision. The participatory nature of the games, facilitator skills, relevant training modules, and contextualized topics were key factors in learning. However, limited resources, perceived technical complexity, and lack of follow-up constrained the adoption of certain practices.