Bembridge, T.J. (author), Tshikesho, D.R. (author), and Bembridge: Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Fort Hare; Tshikesho: Professional Agricultural Officer, Namibia Ministry of Agriculture, Owambo, Namibia
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1992
Published:
South Africa: Pretoria, South Africa : The South African Society for Agricultural Extension
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 91 Document Number: C06652
James F. Evans Collection; See C06647 for original, Owambo agricultural producers had high levels of illiteracy (44%) and 30% were over 60 years of age. Average extended family size was about 10 persons and approximately two-thirds had incomes below the minimum subsistence level, and many lacked resources for agricultural production. Communal grazing areas were overstocked and lacking in management. There was a low rate of adoption of accepted farming practices, leading to low yields and production levels. Suggestions are put forward for improving agricultural knowledge systems, including strengthening extension services and local institutions (original).
Garforth, C. (author), Jones, G.E. (author), and Rolls, M.J. (author)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1985
Published:
United Kingdom
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 95 Document Number: C07438
Notes:
INTERPAKS, Mimeographed, 1985. Paper presented at the AERDC conference Investing in Rural Extension: Strategies and Goals, September 15-21, 1985, Agricultural and Rural Development Centre, University of Reading, UK. 15 p., Sets the general scene for the AERDC conference by discussing common assumptions and precepts regarding extension. Covers briefly the origins of extension, the development of extension services, the dimensions fo extension, and investments in extension.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 95 Document Number: C07486
Notes:
cited reference, In: The role of extension services in national development. Lusaka, Zambia: National Council for Scientific Research, May 1984. p. 12-18
Burfisher, M. E. (author) and Horenstein, N. R. (author)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1983
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 103 Document Number: C08933
Notes:
B. L. Green shields & M. A. Bellamy (Eds.), Rural development: growth and inequity, contributed papers read at the 18th International Conference of Agricultural Economics. Aldershot, Hants, England: Gower. 161-165.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: Byrnes2 Document Number: C12378
Notes:
Francis C. Byrnes Collection, Pages 35-42 in Food and Agriculture Organization, Report of the global consultation on agricultural extension, FAO/United Nations, Rome, Italy. 217 p.
Bahal, R. (author / Indian Agricultural Research Institute), Farner, Barbara J. (author / University of Illinois), and Swanson, Burton E. (author / University of Illinois)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1990
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: Byrnes2 Document Number: C12379
Notes:
Francis C. Byrnes Collection, Pages 43-76 in Food and Agriculture Organization, Report of the global consultation on agricultural extension, FAO/United Nations, Rome, Italy. 217 p.
Contado, Tito E. (author / Food and Agriculture Organization)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1990
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: Byrnes2 Document Number: C12380
Notes:
Francis C. Byrnes Collection, Pages 77-113 in Food and Agriculture Organization, Report of the global consultation on agricultural extension, FAO/United Nations, Rome, Italy. 217 p.
Cummings, Ralph W., Jr. (author / U.S. Agency for International Development)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1990
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: Byrnes2 Document Number: C12382
Notes:
Francis C. Byrnes Collection, Pages 135-169 in Food and Agriculture Organization, Report of the global consultation on agricultural extension, FAO/United Nations, Rome, Italy. 217 p.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: Byrnes2 Document Number: C12383
Notes:
Francis C. Byrnes Collection, Pages 171-207 in Food and Agriculture Organization, Report of the global consultation on agricultural extension, FAO/United Nations, Rome, Italy. 217 p.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: Byrnes2 Document Number: C12387
Notes:
Francis C. Byrnes Collection, Pages 84-96 in G.P. Wood and A.T. Mosher, Readings in agricultural administration, Agricultural Development Council, New York, NY. 244 p.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: Byrnes4 Document Number: C12419
Notes:
Francis C. Byrnes Collection, Address during the 50th annual meeting of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 9 p.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: Byrnes2 Document Number: C12461
Notes:
Francis C. Byrnes Collection, Pages 127-215 in Mosher, Arthur T., Thinking about rural development. Agricultural Development Council, New York, NY. 350 p.
Adhikarya, Ronny (author), Maalouf, Wajih D. (author), and Contado, Tito E. (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1991
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 116 Document Number: C12672
Notes:
Pages 59-70 in William M. Rivera and Daniel J. Gustafson (eds.), Agricultural Extension: worldwide institutional evolution and forces for change. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 312 p.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 116 Document Number: C12675
Notes:
Pages 101-112 in William M. Rivera and Daniel J. Gustafson (eds.), Agricultural Extension: worldwide institutional evolution and forces for change. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 312 p.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 116 Document Number: C12677
Notes:
Pages 139-150 in William M. Rivera and Daniel J. Gustafson (eds.), Agricultural Extension: worldwide institutional evolution and forces for change. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 312 p.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C12700
Notes:
Pages 123-129 in Bruce R. Crouch and Shankariah Chamala (eds.), Extension education and rural development. Volume 2 - Experience in strategies for planned change. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester. 371 p.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 117 Document Number: C12857
Notes:
Chapter 5 in Anjan Kumar Banerji (ed.), Communication and development. Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. 135 pages.
van den Ban, A.W. (author / Senior Research Officer, Department of Rural Sociology, State Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands) and Senior Research Officer, Department of Rural Sociology, State Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1963
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 44 Document Number: B05316
Notes:
cited reference, In: J.M.A. Penders, ed. Rural Extension at the Crossroads. Wageningen, The Netherlands: International Agricultural Centre, 1963. p. 114-123.
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."
Jones, G.E., ed. (author / University of Reading Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Centre, UK) and University of Reading Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Centre, UK
Format:
Conference proceedings
Publication Date:
1986
Published:
UK
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 61 Document Number: C01962
Notes:
Includes preface, table of contents, postscript, and introduction only, New York : Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, 1986. 297 p. (proceedings of an international conference held at the University of Reading in September 1985)
Chamala, Shankariah (author), Crouch, Bruce R. (author), and Agricultural Extension Unit, Department of Agriculture, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia; Agricultural Extension Unit, Department of Agriculture, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1981
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 71 Document Number: C03184
Notes:
In: Crouch, Bruce R., and Chamala, Shankariah, eds' Extension education and rural development. Volume 2 : experience in strategies for planned change. New York : John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 1981. p. 267-275
Oasa, Edmund K. (author), Swanson, Louis E. (author), and Department of Sociology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY; Department of Sociology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1986
Published:
UK
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 75 Document Number: C03796
Moore, Mick (author / Fellow, the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton) and Fellow, the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, Brighton
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1984-07
Published:
UK
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 75 Document Number: C03871
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 145 Document Number: D06597
Notes:
Abstract of paper presented in the History Section of the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) conference, Braga, Portugal, July 18-22, 2010., Features an independent quarterly periodical that testified to the importance of sustainable agricultural practice from 1939 to 1954.
Saito, Katrine A. (author) and Spurling, Daphne (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1993
Published:
International: International Program for Agricultural Knowledge Systems (INTERPAKS), Office of International Agriculture, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D07291
International: Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, California.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D07932
Notes:
John L. Woods Collection, 598 pages., Beyond general information about adult and continuing education, includes information about rural education in multiple countries.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 195 Document Number: D07951
Notes:
John L. Woods Collection, Folder for International Program for Agricultural Knowledge Systems, College of Agriculture, University of Illinois, Urbana. Two folds.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 195 Document Number: D07954
Notes:
John L. Woods Collection, Folder for International Program for Agricultural Knowledge Systems, College of Agriculture, University of Illinois, Urbana. Two folds.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 195 Document Number: D07955
Notes:
John L. Woods Collection, Folder for International Program for Agricultural Knowledge Systems, College of Agriculture, University of Illinois, Urbana. Two folds.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 195 Document Number: D07956
Notes:
John L. Woods Collection, Folder for International Program for Agricultural Knowledge Systems, College of Agriculture, University of Illinois, Urbana. Two folds.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: oversized box 2 Document Number: D08011
Notes:
John L. Woods Collection
In two folders, Overhead visuals for a presentation about making rural development projects more effective. Development Training and Communication Planning, UNDP Asia and the Pacific Programme, Bangkok, Thailand. 21 overheads.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 196 Document Number: D08082
Notes:
John L. Woods Collection, RB #358. Development Training and Communication Planning, UNDP Asia and Pacific Programme, Bangkok, Thailand. 11 pages with accompanying charts.
Naeem, Arshia (author), Anjum, Maria (author), Rehman, Mariam (author), Mahmood, Zahid (author), Kamran, Muhammad Asif (author), and Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology, Faisalabad, Pakistan
National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2016
Published:
Pakistan: Asianet-Pakistan
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 164 Document Number: D08248
Claar, John B. (author / Director, International Program for Agricultural Knowledge Systems (INTERPAKS))
Format:
Speech
Publication Date:
1984-01
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 151 Document Number: D10094
Notes:
16 pages., This speech is from a project file maintained by the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign > "International" section > "Sierra Leone" file., Speech at the Second Conference regarding ACRE in Sierra Leone, January 11-14, 1984., Comprehensive thoughts from an emeritus state Extension director regarding "what the world has learned about knowledge transfer," with special emphasis on Extension services
Moyo, Rachel (author), Salawu, Abiodun (author), and Department of Communication, North West University, Private Bag X2046, Mafikeng, 2735, South Africa
Format:
Online journal article
Publication Date:
2019-02
Published:
South Africa: Elsevier
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 151 Document Number: D10129
7 pages., Via online journal., This study is a quantitative survey of communication media preferred by smallholder farmers resettled under the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP) in the Gweru district of Zimbabwe. Data were gathered using a questionnaire and simple random sampling. Communication is integral to agricultural development, particularly so in the context of the FTLRP characterized by a dearth of information, education and training, ensued by the discriminatory command agriculture (Murisa and Chikweche, 2015). Farmers' preferences of communicationmedia in receiving agricultural innovations should be prioritised to improve agricultural communication andsubsequently, productivity, which is dire in Zimbabwe in the light of the continuing food insecurity. Thefindingsindicated that farmers prefer media that are stimulating and engaging such as television and demonstrations;convenient such as mobile phones and detailed such as books probably because the majority of them do not have training in agriculture. Demographic variables of age-group and education were found to be associated with communication preferences of some media. The study has implications for agricultural communication media policy. Beyond prioritization of farmers’preferences, a model of a multi-media approach to agricultural communication has been developed, that could widen communication reach if implemented.
Gnaegy Suzanna (author / Winrock International) and Anderson, Jock R. (author / Winrock International)
Format:
Publication
Publication Date:
1991-06-30
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 114 Document Number: D11012
Notes:
World Bank Discussion Paper 126. Washington, D.C. 158 pages., Studies from a workshop. Includes evidence that research and extension had contributed to a decline in agricultural production. "There is a broad consensus about the many factors that have contributed to failures to boost land and labor productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Both technological options and agroecological and socioeconomic circumstances in this vast region are diverse, thus creating a complex matrix of impacts and explanations. The central explanation is that research and development activities, whether public or private, national or international, have produced innovations that farmers find variously unprofitable, too risky, or impossible to implement in a timely and useful fashion. These problems lead, in turn, to often declining agricultural productivity and a deteriorating agricultural resource base, particularly of soil and forest resources. Stepping back further from the farmers themselves to the institutions that are supposed to have assisted, the difficulties are several including the poor (often irrelevant for resource-poor farmers) siting of much past experimental and testing endeavor, inadequate and temporally inconsistent staff and budget support for national research and extension organizations.
9 pages., via online journal., This study assessed the effectiveness of extension communication methods used in disseminating information to farmers in Ogbomoso Agricultural zone of Oyo State. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 120 respondents. Data were analysed using frequency, percentage, standard deviation, mean, median and mode statistics. The findings show that the extension communication methods used for farmers were farm visit (89.2%) and home visit (78.5%), contact farmers (73.3%) and method demonstration (51.7%). Contact farmers, farm visits and home visit were the most frequently used communication strategies by extension agencies while farm visit (x=1.57) was the most preferred extension method to receive information and technologies and respondents perceived the extension communication methods used to be moderately effective. The study recommends that extension officers should consider the use of communication methods preferred by the farmers to communicate information to them.
This issue is in a chronological file entitled "INTERPAKS Newsletter" from the International Programs records of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign., Summary of the first Global Consultation on Agricultural Extension held at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Rome, Italy, December 4-8, 1989. Focused on seven major problem areas or issues addressed in the report.
In an issue located in a chronological file entitled "INTERPAKS - Newsletter" from the International Programs records of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois., From the International Programs records of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign., Summary of a presentation by Charles H. Antholt, Asian Region of the World Bank, at an Extension seminar in Islamabad, Pakistan, March 7, 1990. Case examples of new factors to be considered involving the relevance and responsiveness of agricultural extension: interdependence of nations thrugh trade and telecommunications, limits of land an water resources, and budgetary constraints in all governments. Caneed for closer integration between agricultural universities and extension.
In an issue located in a chronological file entitled "INTERPAKS - Newsletter" from the International Programs records of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois., From the International Programs records of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign., First-hand experience in a technical assistance program aimed at the transfer of the extension function from an established government base to a new university base, capitalizing on the university's competencies in instruction and capacities in technology development - and experience with the next-best alternative when the optimum could not be realized.
In an issue located in a chronological file entitled "INTERPAKS - Newsletter" from the International Programs records of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois., From the International Programs records of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign., Nine guidelines for national research systems in the transfer of information about new agricultural technologies, with emphasis on maximizing communication, interaction, and collaboration between researchers and transfer agents during the entire development process, from national to local levels.
In an issue located in a chronological file entitled "INTERPAKS - Newsletter" from the International Programs records of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois., From the International Programs records of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign., Author introduces reasons why top-down management and decision making generally results in ineffective extension systems. Also addresses reasons why resistance to organizational change is so persistent and difficult. "Huge benefits will come from changing to a decentralized system that fosters acceptance of responsibility through incentives and provides for local programming through involvement and interaction with the clientele."
In an issue located in a chronological file entitled "INTERPAKS - Newsletter" from the International Programs records of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois., From the International Programs records of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign., Summary of a research report by Constance M. McCorkle, Robert H. Brandstetter, and Gail D. McClure, "A case study on farmer innovations and communication in Niger," Academy for Educational Development, Washington, D.C., 1988.
Claar, J. B. (author / Director, Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, University of Illinois)
Format:
Course syllabus
Publication Date:
1983
Published:
International: International Program for Agricultural Knowledge Systems (INTERPAKS), College of Agriculture, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D11186
Notes:
This file, "INTERPAKS Managerial Course," is maintained in the International Programs records of the Agricultural Communications Program, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES), University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign., 5 pages., Syllabus for a five-week short course offered by INTERPAKS, September 17-October 19, 1984, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Zeng, Douglas Zhihua (author / World Bank) and Wang, Shuilin (author)
Format:
Research report
Publication Date:
2007
Published:
China: The World Bank
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 124 Document Number: D11231
Notes:
World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 4223. 36 pages., Analysis of some strengths, weakenesses, opportunities and challenges of China's knowledge economy in the areas of economic incentives and institutional regimes, human capital, innovation systems, and information infrastructures.
International: Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, ACP-EU, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 153 Document Number: D11614
Notes:
3 pages., Online from publisher., Author addresses "large gap between African extension services ... and the number of farmers being reached." ... "Africa's existing mobile network (currently the second biggest mobile market in the world) could be better utilised to bridge this gap and provide mobile-based agricultural information, advice and support to smallholder farmers."
Suvedi, Murari (author) and Kaplowitz, Michael (author)
Format:
Introduction
Publication Date:
2016-02
Published:
International: U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, D.C.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 201 Document Number: D11774
Notes:
MEAS Handbook. URL to it provided online from Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services (MEAS), University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, East Lansing. Printed 6-page introduction and contents section of this 193-page handbook, which was sponsored by USAID Feed the Future initiative., Process skills and competency tools for front-line extension staff to use in their day-to-day work. Handbook offers a set of tools for effective communication, program planning and evaluation. It is meant to support and educate agricultural extension workers worldwide.
10 pages, Online via UI Library electronic subscription. Open access., "This paper re-affirms that women make essential contributions to agriculture and rural enterprises across the developing world. But there is much diversity in women's roles and over-generalization undermines policy relevance and planning."
21 Pages, Purpose: The article examines the implementation and effects of the model farmer-based approach of farmer-to-farmer extension delivery that is in use in Ethiopia.
Methodology: The study used mixed methods, combining focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a household survey.
Findings: The model farmer approach has increased extension coverage, improved the possibility for information and technology dissemination, and enabled the inclusion of virtually all farming households in extension and advisory networks. Simultaneously, the approach has become a mechanism for the top-down control of farmers, for the identification and favouritism of better-off farmers, and those with political commitments.
Practical implications: The findings show that there is a need to critically reflect on who model farmers are, how they are selected, what their historical and current roles and impact have been, as well as follower farmers’ feedback on the approach in order to avoid perpetuating the misuse of the approach.
Theoretical implications: The article argues that the Ethiopian context that rewards rapid increase in production and productivity, modernisation of agriculture, competitive commercialisation, and a context that allows the continued entanglement of extension delivery with politics have enabled such misuse of the approach to proliferate. The article questions the extent of applicability of the core farmer-to-farmer extension principles that relate to social ties, reciprocity, collaboration, and minimal social hierarchies in such a context.
Originality/value: The study generates important insights about the effects of model farmer-based extension approach, its political dimensions, and the importance of context for successful farmer-to-farmer extension.
12 pages, Rural farmers account for the greater part of the population of any developing country such as Nigeria. Governments of developing countries have a major responsibility of ensuring that there is adequate rural development in their various communities and local governments which would lead to effective and efficient agricultural systems that will not only supply food and animal protein but also foster the utilization of natural resources in a sustainable manner (CGIAR, 1995). When the rural farmers lack access to knowledge and information that would help them achieve maximum agricultural yield, they are not only grope in the dark but are driven to the urban centres in search of formal employment, as the only option for survival (Munyua, 2000). Blait (1996) pointed out that the least expensive input for improved rural agricultural development is adequate access to knowledge and information in areas of new agricultural technologies, early warning systems (drought, pests, diseases etc), improved seedlings, fertilizer, credit, market prices etc. There have been short-comings of traditional print and library based methods (Van and Fortier, 2000) of providing such agricultural information to rural farmers who are generally illiterate and relatively remote from formal sources of information (e.g. extension stations, libraries). Aina (2007) also, was of the opinion that farmers would benefit from global information, if information centres, are cited in rural areas complete with all information and communication gadgets.
Rural farmers in Nsukka local government area of Enugu state are not noted to produce enough food, probably due to some constraints that lead to lack of access to timely and up-to-date information which would have enabled them to achieve optimal yield from their farmlands. Such information is highly desired by these farmers and can only be made available to them via extension workers, community libraries, state and local government agricultural agencies (ADP, ENADEP etc), e-mail or the World Wide Web (WWW) in a telecentre (Telecommons Development Group, 2000). In this modern day of information technology, telecentres provide the rural farmers with prompt and reliable information about what is happening in areas of improved seedlings, better methods of cultivation and fertilizer application, pest and weed control/eradication, new advances in livestock production and disease control etc. Where rural farmers are not faced with constraints in accessing agricultural information, traditional media such as rural radio, has been used in delivering agricultural messages to rural farmers (Munyua, 2000). Other ways of delivering these messages or information to the rural farmers include print, video, television, films, slides, pictures, drama, dance, folklore, group discussions, meetings, exhibitions and demonstrations (Munyua, 2000).
The lack of access to basic agricultural knowledge and information by rural farmers in Nsukka local government area of Enugu State which may be as a result of certain constraints has made these farmers to stick to their old traditional methods of farming system and animal husbandry practice, hence resulting in poor crop and livestock productivity. Information and knowledge are very vital in agricultural development of any community and where they are poorly disseminated as a result of certain constraints, the community’s agricultural development becomes highly impeded. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the constraints of the rural farmers in Nsukka local government area of Enugu State in accessing agricultural information.
12 pages, Agricultural extension and advisory services in Africa have significant impact on food security as well as economic and social development. Recent moves towards a pluralistic delivery system, facilitated by the emergence of private-sector led initiatives in many countries are the subject of policy and academic discourse. This study used an adapted, fit-for-purpose market systems development framework to review available research in extension and advisory services in selected sub-Sahara Africa countries. Using a literature survey methodology, we report evidence of multiple actors in extension delivery, findings that point towards evolution towards mixed delivery as well as objectives. While there are significant uptake of cost-recovery approaches among commercially-oriented farmers, many smallholder farmers still depended on donor-funded services. Our review adds to existing knowledge through incorporating a market systems development framework, which extends the often-used willingness to pay approach, and highlights the need for merger of both public and private-sector objectives to achieve developmental outcomes.
10 pages, Low agricultural productivity remains one of the main factors influencing poverty and food insecurity among smallholder farmers in many developing countries. Among the key interventions assumed to influence agricultural productivity of smallholders is the provision of agricultural extension services to farmers. Access to agricultural extension however remains low in most developing countries thus slowing down agricultural productivity growth. This study therefore sought to determine the labor productivity effects of agricultural extension in northern Ghana using data from a cross-section of 300 smallholder farm households. The results of a binary probit model indicated that participation in agricultural extension increased with farming experience, farm size, access to irrigation and group membership but decreased with years of formal education and household size. Regression estimates of a labor productivity model revealed a positive and statistically significant relationship between agricultural extension and labor productivity. Also, labor productivity increased with farming experience, household income, access to irrigation, degree of specialization in production and the level of conventional inputs used per man-day of labor but decreased with participation in off-farm work. The authors recommend an increase in agricultural extension coverage to ensure that more farmers are reached with information on modern technologies to enhance their labor productivity. Furthermore, farmers need access to inputs such as seed and fertilizer to improve the productivity of labor.
16 pages, Agricultural extension is one of the essential services that are offered by the South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD), to facilitate agricultural development in rural communities. The significance of agricultural extension is that it offers new knowledge to farmers and allows space for growth through various interventions such as agrarian transformation and improving livelihoods through the promotion of agriculture as a vehicle for ‘pro-poor’ economic growth. However, there is a concern that extension services are invisible in resource-restricted and previously marginalised rural communities. The study presented in this paper examined farmer’s experiences with extension practitioners and the impact of a lack of extension services on the development of impoverished rural communities. The researchers adopted a qualitative design wherein six focus group discussions were held to gather data from the farmers. Data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti22, a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS). Four themes of extension services that have a direct linkage to livelihood development, namely, the impact on rural livelihoods, production challenges, marketability, and economic impact, and the invisibility of extension services, were the central point of discussion.
