18 pages., Via online journal., The study asserts that rural villages which have developed relatively complex communication systems have extensive local knowledge and practice systems. Using the knowledge and community-based perspective, the study departs from past works of development communication scholars, who have focused their attention mainly on the transfer of information. The study is concerned with how meaning is created and shared in rural communities through the use of communication. It looks at how small homogenous farming communities in Thailand – world’s number one rice exporter – utilize communication to improve rice crop production. It asks: what roles does communication play in the formation of collective definitions (perspectives) and the construction/management of local knowledge and practices on rice farming? To explore the plausibility of this paper’s assertion, ethnographies of two rice farming villages were conducted – Baan Sap Som Boon (irrigated) in Chainat province (Central Region) and Baan Hua Hae (rainfed) in Ubon Ratchathani province (Northeast Region). Data generation period was from October 2004 to July 2005. Research results indicate that Baan Sap Som Boon has both an extensive knowledge of rice farming methods and procedures and an elaborate community-based communication system. Baan Hua Hae, on the other hand, practices more traditional means of rice production and divides time with other livelihood activities. In both villages, communication plays a central role in improving crop production via facilitating the formation of collective definitions on rice farming, labor, economics and agriculture-related institutions.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 160 Document Number: C26129
Notes:
Presented at the International Association for Mass Communication Research, American University in Cairo, Egypt, July 23-29, 2006. 25 pages., Findings from a survey among small farmers, wage labourers, fishermen, large farmers, scientists and NGO personnel.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: KerryByrnes1 Document Number: D01326
Notes:
Kerry J. Byrnes Collection, Chapter 8: pages 112-124. Agricultural extension systems: an international perspective. US Department of Agriculture Asia and Near East Bureau of USAID.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D08826
Notes:
Pages 1025-1044 in Rob Roggema (ed.), Agriculture in an urbanizing society volume two: proceedings of the sixth AESOP conference on sustainable food planning. United Kingdom: Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Pages 601-1274.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 185 Document Number: D00369
Notes:
Via online. 3 pages, "...instead of focusing on what rural India should be learning and doing, perhaps we should focus instead on what it can teach us."
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Folder: 161` Document Number: D07869
Notes:
Pages 107-109 in M.J. Navarro (ed.), Voices and views: why biotech?. ISAAA Brief No. 50. International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Ithaca, New York. 158 pages.
