22 pages, While climate change threatens global food security, health, and nutrition outcomes, Africa is more vulnerable because its economies largely depend on rain-fed agriculture. Thus, there is need for agricultural producers in Africa to employ robust adaptive measures that withstand the risks of climate change. However, the success of adaptation measures to climate change primarily depends on the communities’ knowledge or awareness of climate change and its risks. Nonetheless, existing empirical research is still limited to illuminate farmers’ awareness of the climate change problem. This study employs a Bayesian hierarchical logistic model, estimated using Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) methods, to empirically determine drivers of smallholder farmers’ awareness of climate change and its risks to agriculture in Zambia. The results suggest that on average, 77% of farmers in Zambia are aware of climate change and its risks to agriculture. We find socio-demographics, climate change information sources, climate change adaptive factors, and climate change impact-related shocks as predictors of the expression of climate change awareness. We suggest that farmers should be given all the necessary information about climate change and its risks to agriculture. Most importantly, the drivers identified can assist policymakers to provide the effective extension and advisory services that would enhance the understanding of climate change among farmers in synergy with appropriate farm-level climate-smart agricultural practices.
Analysis of this agricultural leader's views suggests Bailey sought "not to develop a more efficient, productive, and profitable agriculture, but to advance the larger cultural ideals of a 'self-sustaining' agriculture and personal happiness."
Finding suggest that boundary organizations related to extension help mediate between the shifting domains of science and policy at all levels - local, state and national.
UI electronic subscription, Author analyzes the history, methods and impact of a radio program, "We say what we think," produced by a group of Dane County rural women during this period. Offers perspectives on how the Extension Service encouraged domesticity as the role of rural women. "Linking domesticity to the trope of progress in this way kept rural women from discussing the changes taking place around them." Author also comments on marginalization of rural sociology as a discipline in the academy.
Emphasis on a farmer-centered approach by Extension rather than a top-down approach. "...farmers are still in control of which new technologies they will accept, and understanding must precede adoption."
