Hirevenkanagoudar, L.V. (author / Extension Consultant, Directorate of Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal, Bangalore, India) and Extension Consultant, Directorate of Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal, Bangalore, India
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1984-12
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 78 Document Number: C04337
18 pages, This paper presents the findings of challenges facing Zimbabwe’s extension services and how these have affected the adoption of technologies they render to small-scale farmers. This study uses a critical review of relevant literature on Zimbabwe’s primary public extension agency (AGRITEX). Additionally, 21 key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to corroborate data collected in secondary research on extension approaches currently in use, the key factors affecting technology adoption, and the technology adoption process of small-scale farmers. The study found AGRITEX’s major challenges to be poor funding, poor remuneration and incentives for extension personnel, lack of in-service training, lack of appropriate technology, as well as poor operational resources like transport to reach all farmers. Consequently, services offered to small-scale farmers were compromised, which led to poor adoption of recommended technologies. Furthermore, the study determined that key factors influencing technology adoption are related to the farmers’ circumstances, the operating environment, and the attributes of technology itself. As a lasting solution to poor technology adoption, an adaptive extension system that promotes building the capacity of extension workers and researchers, as well as embracing farmers and their indigenous knowledge, is proposed
Decker, Daniel J. (author), Merrill, William G. (author), and Decker: Assistant Professor and Extension Leader, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Merrill: Professor of Dairy Management, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1990
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 76 Document Number: C04123
James F. Evans Collection; See C04120 for original; AGRICOLA IND 90027729, Despite its increased use in recent years, evaluation of videotape application to non-formal adult education has been limited. Dairy specialists at Cornell University believing that a videotape might work well, produced a 25 minute videotape as part of an educational program on proper milking procedures. Although a workshop setting was the intended format for viewing the videotape, it was clear the videotape might be used in less-structured settings, such as a farmer's home. Therefore, it was developed to be self-explanatory, with a supplemental bulletin. Dairy farmers liked having a videotape as part of the workshop. Furthermore, the videotaped-based program lead to improvement in knowledge and change in attitude among farmers. The value of follow-up contact to understand the extent of actual impact was also demonstrated.
Bu Zhong (author), Fan Yang (author), Yen-Lin Chen (author), and College of Communication, Pennsylvania State University
Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, College of Agricultural Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2015
Published:
Elsevier
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 16 Document Number: D10462
10 pages., Via online journal., Agricultural extension systems often fail due to inadequate knowledge of farmers’ information needs and sharing strategies. This study aims to meet an urgent need of studying information needs and sharing strategies among vegetable farmers and vendors in Chengdu, China, whose results might be used in building a center of agricultural information disseminating vegetable production and marketing information. The findings disclose interesting differences between the farmers and vendors regarding their willingness to join such a center, information needs, sharing strategies and preferred information sources. Ample evidences justify the construction of the proposed center of agricultural information, which should not only empower the vegetable farmers and vendors but also enhance the efficiency of the existing vegetable supply chain and food security. Cross-discipline research involving both agriculture and communication scholars, like this, should shed more insights on working out strategies to cope with agricultural challenges.
