6 pages., (Special Issue from the 17th International Nitrogen Workshop), Via online Journal, Substantial improvements of agricultural systems are necessary to meet the future requirements of humanity.
However, current agricultural knowledge and information systems are generally not well suited to meet the
necessary improvements in productivity and sustainability. For more effective application of research output,
research producers and research consumers should not be considered as separate individuals in the knowledge
chain but as collaborating partners creating synergy. The current paper investigates the relationships between
scientists and stakeholders and identifies approaches to increase the effectiveness of their communication.
On-farm research has proven to be an effective means of improving exploitation of research output at farm level
because it connects all relevant partners in the process. Furthermore, pilot farms can act as an effective platform
for communication and dissemination. Regional networks of pilot farms should be established and connected
across regions
Abbey,Eric James, (Ed.And Intro.) and Helb,Colin, (Ed.And Intro.)
Format:
Book, Whole
Publication Date:
01/01; 2014
Published:
Lanham: Lexington Books
Location:
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
The following contributions are cited separately in RILM: Eric James ABBEY, The cult of Hellmouth: The success of contemporary hardcore (RILM ref]2014-01826/ref]); Sean AHERN, Let the Shillelagh fly: The dropkick Murphys and Irish—American hybridity (RILM ref]2014-01818/ref]); Brian COGAN, The last report: Throbbing gristle and audio extremes (RILM ref]2014-01823/ref]); Mika ELOVAARA, Am I evil? The meaning of metal lyrics to its fans (RILM ref]2014-01819/ref]); Marcus ERBE, By demons be driven? Scanning 'monstrous' voices (RILM ref]2014-01820/ref]); Kevin FELLEZS, Black metal soul music: Stone vengeance and the aesthetics of race in heavy metal (RILM ref]2014-01824/ref]); Ross HAGEN, No fun: Noise music, avant-garde aggression, and sonic punishment (RILM ref]2014-01822/ref]); Colin HELB, 'The time is right to set our sight on salvation': The strange tale of how the Hare Krishnas came to play hardcore punk (RILM ref]2014-01825/ref]); Eliut RIVERA-SEGARRA, Nelson VARAS-DIAZ, Heavy metal music in the Caribbean setting: Politics and language at the periphery (RILM ref]2014-01821/ref]); Evan WARE, Food for thought: On Sid Vicious's cannibalization of My way (RILM ref]2014-01817/ref]).
19 pages., ISSN: 2168-3565 (Print)
2168-3573 (Online), Via online journal, Biodiversity conservation outside designated protected areas remains challenging in South Africa, where 80% of the biodiversity resources occur on private and communal lands. This applies to the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, which is the focus of this study. Landholders logically choose agricultural production ahead of conservation, which they often perform using non-ecological methods. Extension is well positioned to promote ecological agriculture, but its current contribution is unknown. This study examined the role of extension in ecological agriculture in KZN by investigating extension’s promotion of ecological agriculture among smallholder farmers and the factors impacting their employment of ecologically compatible practices. Data was collected through semistructured interviews with 44 respondents, comprising 5 provincial biodiversity conservation practitioners, 1 national biodiversity conservation manager, and 1 national and 4 provincial agricultural extension managers, selected by purposive sampling; as well as 25 extension officers and 8 farmers, selected by convenience sampling. The study found that extension mainly engages in technology transfer and distribution of production inputs, which poses challenges to biodiversity conservation. Extension shows little concern for biodiversity, and effectively promotes its degradation. Four sets of factors impacting extension’s capacity to promote ecological agriculture emerged: household/community-level, governmental, extension management, and ecological factors. Key among these were inadequate involvement of youth and men in agriculture; inadequate household production resources; poor collaboration and coordination between extension and biodiversity conservation institutions; top-down extension intervention; poor extension management and delivery capacities; and irregular and inadequate rainfall, as well as droughts and flooding. The study concluded that there is a need for a clearly articulated extension and biodiversity conservation policy supporting appropriate linkages and better coordination and integration of services among extension and biodiversity agencies within the National and Provincial Departments of Agriculture and with farmers; more effective agricultural education in schools; strengthening extension support systems; and creating conducive atmospheres for effective extension.
Adkison, Janet (author), Littlefield, Susan (author), Winnekins, Brian (author), Cunningham, Gale (author), Heemstra, Jody (author), and St. James, Tony (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2014-04
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D02687
