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.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C21678
Notes:
Pages 89-106 in K. Sadanandan Nair and Shirley A. White (eds.), Perspectives on development communication. Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, California. 256 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C19735
Notes:
Pages 192-211 in Pilar Riano (ed.), Women in grassroots communication: furthering social change. Sage Publications, Inc., Thousand Oaks, California USA. 315 pages.
Mosidi, Solly (author) and World Conservation Union (IUCN), International Union for Conservation and Natural Resources.
Format:
Proceedings
Publication Date:
2003-09-07
Published:
South Africa
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 154 Document Number: C24930
Notes:
Chapter 12 in Denise Hamu, Elisabeth Auchincloss and Wendy Goldstein (eds.), Communicating protected areas. Presented to the Vth IUCN World Parks Congress, Durban, South Africa, September 8-17, 2003.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C14195
Notes:
Chapter 15 in Neville Jayaweera and Sarath Amunugama (eds.), Rethinking development communication. Asian Mass Communication Research and Information Centre, Republic of Singapore. 264 pages.
Campilan, Dindo (author), Roa, Julieta R. (author), and Gonsalves, Julian (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2009
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C29785
Notes:
Pages 97-101 in Ian Scoones and John Thompson (eds.), Farmer First revisited: innovation for agricultural research and development. Practical Action Publishing, Warwickshire, U.K. 357 pages., Describes a program, UPWARD (Users' Perspectives with Agricultural Research and Development ). Shifts emphasis from food systems to livelihood systems, from crop production to agricultural livelihoods and from farms to marketing chains.
