Kang, Joon-Mann (author / Doctoral Student, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI) and Doctoral Student, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1988
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 72 Document Number: C03367
Solomon, Norman (author) and Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR), New York, New York.
Format:
Commentary
Publication Date:
2000-03-23
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 154 Document Number: C25048
Notes:
Retrieved December 7, 2006, Media Beat. 2 pages., Author challenges photojournalists to provide greater economic and social context for photos, such as those featuring the rural poor.
Labonne, Julien (author) and Chase, Robert S. (author)
Format:
Research paper
Publication Date:
2009
Published:
Philippines: Sustainable Development Network, Social Development Department, The World Bank
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 127 Document Number: D11237
Notes:
Via online. Policy Research Working Paper No. 4996. 24 pages., Authors explored the impact of access to information on poor farmers' consumption. Results indicated that farmers purchasing a mobile phone experienced larger growth rate per capita consumption over the 2002-2006 period. Estimates ranged from 11 percent to 17 percent.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C36719
Notes:
Pages 76-124 in Tim Unwin (ed.), ICT4D: Information and Communication Technology for Development. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K. 386 pages.
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.
