Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 183 Document Number: C37232
Notes:
Via BBC World Service - Communication, Media and Development Policy. 5 pages., Author urges change in the approach to development rather than assume that an infusion of good communication would enhance development. "..the heart and soul seems to have seeped out of the development world - it has, without doubt turned into a giant business governed at a corporate level with mind-numbing rules and regulations. There remains little room for creativity and innovation - in our mind a hallmark of good development."
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.
Wesseler, Gesa (author) and Brinkman, Willemine (author)
Format:
Paper
Publication Date:
2002
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 164 Document Number: D08294
Notes:
ACDC segment includes only bibliographic information, contents page and introduction. Full text was no longer available at the url 04/16/17., Paper presented at the regional conference on "Agroforestry impacts on livelihoods in Southern Africa: putting research into practice," Aventura Warmbaths, South Africa, May 20-24, 2002. 41 pages.
Francis, Paul (author) and Amuyunzu-Nyamongo, Mary (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2006
Published:
Kenya
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C37119
Notes:
See C37118 for original, Pages 219-244 in Ian Bannon and Maria C.Correia (eds.), The other half of gender: men's issues in development. World Bank, Washington, D.C. 311 pages.
