2 pages., Via UI online subscription., Purpose: This paper examines extension practises of agricultural workers within the Egyptian government and the perceived barriers they face in implementing participatory approaches, identifying improvements required in research and extension processes to meet the real needs of Egyptian farming communities.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Key barriers for engaging in participatory extension were identified using content analysis of semi-structured interviews, surveys and focus group discussion of 37 government agricultural workers along with participant observation and review of existing literature.
Findings: The majority of workers surveyed understood basic participatory extension principles and desired to use these approaches. Changing from traditional ‘top down’ extension to systems that engage with farmers' needs at the community level is made difficult due to the aging and poorly functioning Village Extension Worker (VEW) network. Thus, it is far easier for the research driven extension programmes to use technology transfer models.
Practical Implications: Participatory extension relies on strong relationship building and open communication between farmers, extension workers, researchers, interest groups and policy-makers. The Egyptian government must properly establish and resource the pivotal role of VEWs within the extension system to meet its strategic aims of modernising agriculture, developing food security and improving the livelihoods of rural inhabitants.
Originality/Value: This paper captures the unique perspectives of government research, extension and education workers involved in agricultural development at a time directly after the 2010 revolution, when they were able to more openly reflect on the past and present situations.
Kante, Assa (author), Dunkel, Florence (author), Williams, Ashley (author), Magro,Sam (author), Traore, Haoua (author), Camara, Abdoulaye (author), and Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education
Format:
Paper
Publication Date:
2009-05
Published:
Mali
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 185 Document Number: D00429
Notes:
Pages 284-291 in the proceedings of the 25th annual meeting of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education in San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 24-28, 2009.
Hoskins, Marilyn W. (author / Visiting professor and Title XII International Programs Chairperson for Rural Sociology, Anthropology, and Community Development, Virginia Poly- technic Institute and State University)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1981-03
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 79 Document Number: C04445
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C14148
Notes:
This book is a product of the 9th Biennial Conference of the African Council for Communication Education at Accra, Ghana, October 18-21, 1994., Chapter 5 in Charles Okigbo (ed.), Media and sustainable development. African Council for Communication Education, Nairobi, Kenya. 506 pages.
Balit, Silvia (author / Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
2004-07
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 167 Document Number: C27920
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 7 Document Number: D10093
Notes:
Pages 81-83 in Workshop on communications linkages between national programs and international agricultural organizations, Cali, Colombia, April 14-18, 1986., This presentation abstract is maintained in ACDC storage within Document No. D09983, Abstract of a conference presentation from the files of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 182 Document Number: C36925
Notes:
Via SciDev.net. 2 pages., Director of the non-profit media organisation, TVE Asia Pacific, argues that "the media and development organizations are currently part of the problem."
