18 pages, This study examined gaps in climate information within public agricultural extension in Limpopo Province, South Africa. It assessed extension officers’ climate change perceptions, knowledge and climate education. Lastly, the study examined the extension approaches for overall suitability of climate information disseminated to rural smallholder farmers. The results indicated that participants were predominately male, with tertiary education. Education levels had an influence on exposure to climate education and extension approaches in disseminating agricultural information to farmers. There is a need to retool extension officers in climate change extension work, integrating indigenous knowledge to increase suitability and acceptability of information by smallholder farmers.
20 pages., China, Information needs, access, rural communities, small farms, information channels, surveys, development, Information plays an important role in meeting the quantitative and qualitative goals of agriculture in the 21st century. As an emerging economy in a developing continent, China has already made many interventions to use information technology to support agricultural development. However, information service in some rural areas is still severely limited. The overall impact of the changing information environment on the farmers’ information needs and access channels has not been fully studied. Thus, this study systematically investigates the characteristics of the information needs and channels of farmers in Guangdong, China. We have collected 4006 questionnaire samples and used correlation analysis to explore the relationships between farmers’ information needs and access channel preferences. The results indicate that individual characteristic factors, social factors and family factors have different degrees of influence on farmers’ information needs and access channel preferences. These findings can provide a reference for information construction in the rural areas of Guangdong Province and thus promote its economic development. This study can also provide useful insights for policy-makers and researchers from other developing countries to formulate implementation plans to promote agricultural development.
This article aims to gain a greater understanding of relevant and successful methods of stimulating an ICT(information and communication technologies) culture and skills development in rural areas. The article details good practice activities, utilizing criteria derived from a review of the rural dimensions of ICT learning from a range of relevant initiatives and programs. These good practice activities cover: community resource centers providing opportunities for "tasting" ICTs; video games and Internet Cafes as tools removing "entry barriers"; emphasis on "user management" as a means of creating ownership; service delivery beyond fixed locations; use of ICT capacities in the delivery of general services; and selected use of financial support.
Solera Thomas, Laura (author), Muñoz Alvarado, Daniela (author), Angulo Araya, Carlos (author), Brenes Ramírez, José Joaquín (author), Brenes Ramírez, José Manuel (author), Brenes Víquez, Gabriel (author), Gómez Acuña, Sonia (author), and Víquez Redondo, Fausto (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2014
Published:
Costa Rica
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 153 Document Number: D06910
