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12. A survey of communication media preferred by smallholder farmers in theGweru District of Zimbabwe
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- 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
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Rural Studies
- Journal Title Details:
- 66 : 112-118
- Notes:
- 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.
13. Active and passive stakeholders in issue arenas: a communication network approach to the bird flu debate on Twitter
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Hellsten, Iina (author), Jacobs, Sandra (author), and Wonneberger, Anke (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-03
- Published:
- Elsevier
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 18 Document Number: D10501
- Journal Title:
- Public Relations Review
- Journal Title Details:
- 45(1): 35-48
- Notes:
- 14 pages., via online journal., Issue arenas, as places for societal discussions, have recently been studied as an important aspect of organizational environments. While a fundamental part of any issue arena is the distinction between active and passive actors, empirical analyses have mainly focused on active stakeholders. We approach issue arenas as communication networks in which active stakeholders discuss topics and involve passive stakeholders. Based on network theory, we introduce an automated method for mapping these issue arenas on Twitter. In particular, we combine manual coding of active stakeholders, and automated semantic network analysis of addressed, passive stakeholders and their topics of discussion. Empirically, we focus on the issue of bird flu affecting poultry farming in the Netherlands from 2015 to 2017 with a sample of 704 Twitter messages. Instead of pre-defining a set of stakeholders for the analysis, our approach to study communication networks in online settings allows for mapping issue arenas based on the stakeholders that communicate about the topic.
14. Actor social networks as knowledge sharing mechanisms in multi-stakeholder processes: a case of coffee innovation platforms of Uganda
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Magala, Damalie Babirye (author), Mangheni, Margaret Nijjingo (author), Miiro, Richard Fred (author), and Makerere University
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-06-23
- Published:
- Uganda: Taylor & Francis
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 109 Document Number: D10978
- Journal Title:
- The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
- Journal Title Details:
- 25(4) : 323-336
- Notes:
- 13 pages, via online journal, Purpose: This study examined knowledge sharing mechanisms in coffee IPs and their effect on actor linkages in four districts of Uganda. Design/methodology/approach: Thirty one respondents from the public and private sector were interviewed using a qualitative approach. Data were analyzed using the Atlas ti qualitative software version 7.5.18 to generate themes for information sources, types and channels. Social network analysis was used to measure the actor centrality positions and influence in the IP network. Findings: Results revealed seven main categories of actors in the Coffee IPs who shared information on coffee inputs, agronomic practices, processing and markets through three main channels. Level of cohesion was less than 10% which had negative implications on the knowledge flow, trust and collaboration among the actors. Influential positions were occupied by the processors and farmer leaders in IPs in the southern districts of Luwero and Rakai, while nursery operators were most influential in IPs of the western districts of Ntungamo and Bushenyi. Weak linkages within the social networks indicated that initiatives of the actors were fragmented, as each actor acted as an individual detached from the platform activities limiting inter-actor knowledge sharing. Practical implications: Innovation intermediaries should focus on integrated systemic and innovative approaches to strengthen actor social linkages for knowledge sharing and better platform performance. Theoretical implications: Actor positions and relationships in innovation networks are critical tenets for fostering knowledge exchange and performance. In an innovation platform, diverse actors are multiple sources for accessing information within a given social and institutional context. Originality/value: The study contributes to existing debate and knowledge on institutional change in agricultural innovation systems.
15. Addressing scientific literacy in Oklahoma: the STEMist program
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Branscum, Hannah (author) and Sallee, Jeff (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-06
- Published:
- Extension Journal, Inc.
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 32 Document Number: D10609
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Extension
- Journal Title Details:
- 57(3)
- Notes:
- 4 pages., Article #:3IAW1, via online journal., Scientific literacy is essential for success of youth and adults in the 21st century. In 2017, Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development initiated a fellowship program to address scientific literacy throughout Oklahoma: the STEMist program. Through this program, college students with a background or interest in science are recruited, trained, and sent to teach science workshops to youths at various educational events during the summer months. In its inaugural year, the program reached over 2,000 youths. The program addresses scientific literacy, aids in career readiness, and promotes 4-H to audiences previously unaware of the positive impact it can have on today's young people.
16. Agri-food companies in the social media: a comparison of organic and non-organic firms
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Jurado, Enrique Bernal (author), Uclés, Domingo Fernández (author), Moral, Adoración Mozas (author), and Viruel, Miguel Jesús Medina (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019
- Published:
- Taylor & Francis
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 34 Document Number: D10682
- Journal Title:
- Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja
- Journal Title Details:
- 32(1): 321-334
- Notes:
- 15 pages., via online journal., Organic agri-food products in Spain face major commercial problems in the home market as a result of consumers’ lack of information about this type of product and difficulties in accessing it, and the considerable price differential between organic products and their conventional equivalents. This study proposes that consideration should be given to social media as a factor for mitigating these commercial problems and improving the competitiveness of organic food companies. Specifically, the aim of this research was to examine the social media penetration and activity of olive oil sector companies and ascertain whether organic and non-organic operators present differences in this respect. To this end, a checklist was used to analyse the social media activity of 663 olive oil companies in total, comprising both organic and non-organic producers. The results reveal statistically significant differences in social media penetration and use by organic and non-organic operators, with the former being more active in these networks. Nevertheless, the social media efforts of organic operators are less effective, owing to the limited demand for their products.
17. Agriculture–nutrition linkages in farmers’ communication networks
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Jäckering, Lisa (author), Gödecke, Theda (author), and Wollni, Meike (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-08
- Published:
- Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 78 Document Number: D10824
- Journal Title:
- Agricultural Economics
- Notes:
- 16 pages., via online journal., To date, little is known about how information flows within farmer groups and how extension interventions could be designed to deliver combined information on agriculture and nutrition. This study uses unique network data from 815 farm households in Kenya to investigate the structure and characteristics of agricultural and nutrition information networks within farmer groups. Dyadic regressions are used to analyze the factors influencing link formation for the exchange of agricultural and nutrition information. In addition, we apply fixed‐effects models to identify the characteristics of central persons driving information exchange in the two networks, as well as potentially isolated persons, who are excluded from information networks within their farmer groups. Our results show that nutrition information is exchanged within farmer groups, although to a limited extent, and mostly flows through the existing agricultural information links. Thus, diffusing nutrition information through agricultural extension systems may be a viable approach. Our findings further suggest that group leaders and persons living in central locations are important drivers in the diffusion of information in both networks and may thus serve as suitable entry points for nutrition‐sensitive extension programs. However, we also identify important heterogeneities in network characteristics. In particular, nutrition information is less often exchanged between men and women, and some group members are completely isolated from nutrition information exchange within their farmer groups. We derive recommendations on taking these differences in network structure and characteristics into account when designing nutrition‐sensitive extension programs.
18. Agriculture–nutrition linkages in farmers’ communication networks
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Jäckering, Lisa (author), Gödecke, Theda (author), Wollni, Meike (author), and Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-07-10
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 114 Document Number: D10997
- Journal Title:
- Agricultural Economics
- Journal Title Details:
- 50 : 657-672
- Notes:
- 16 pages., Wiley Online Library, To date, little is known about how information flows within farmer groups and how extension interventions could be designed to deliver combined information on agriculture and nutrition. This study uses unique network data from 815 farm households in Kenya to investigate the structure and characteristics of agricultural and nutrition information networks within farmer groups. Dyadic regressions are used to analyze the factors influencing link formation for the exchange of agricultural and nutrition information. In addition, we apply fixed-effects models to identify the characteristics of central persons driving information exchange in the two networks, as well as potentially isolated persons, who are excluded from information networks within their farmer groups. Our results show that nutrition information is exchanged within farmer groups, although to a limited extent, and mostly flows through the existing agricultural information links. Thus, diffusing nutrition information through agricultural extension systems may be a viable approach. Our findings further suggest that group leaders and persons living in central locations are important drivers in the diffusion of information in both networks and may thus serve as suitable entry points for nutritionsensitive extension programs. However, we also identify important heterogeneities in network characteristics. In particular, nutrition information is less often exchanged between men and women, and some group members are completely isolated from nutrition information exchange within their farmer groups. We derive recommendations on taking these differences in network structure and characteristics into account when designing nutrition-sensitive extension programs.
19. Agrochemical based information usage among farmers: a pathway to sustainable cocoa production in Osun state, Nigeria
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Ojo, Toyin Femi (author), Kolodeye, Gbenga Festus (author), and Oladele, Taiwo Sulaiman (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019
- Published:
- Scientific Papers
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 32 Document Number: D10652
- Journal Title:
- Scientific Papers: Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture & Rural Development
- Journal Title Details:
- 19(1): 331-337
- Notes:
- 8 pages., ISSN: 2284-7995, via online journal., The study accessed agrochemical based information usage among cocoa farmers in Nigeria with a view to determine the sustainability of information sources for an increased cocoa production in the study area. Simple random sampling was used to select 120 cocoa farmers using structured interview schedule. Results showed that farmers were in their 50s with about 12 years of formal education. Radio (mean = 2.56) ranked highest among the sources of information while about 60 percent of the respondents indicated a very high level of usage of agrochemical information in cocoa production. Results of Pearson Product Moment Correlation showed a significant relationship between farmers’ perception (r = 0.365; p≤0.01) and usage of agrochemical based information. The findings conclude that the use of mass media as the most frequently used among farmers for agrochemicals in cocoa production may be sustainable. It is therefore recommended that the use of mass media for agrochemicals usage in cocoa production should be reinforced in passing other information to cocoa farmers.
20. An Attempt towards structuring agricultural information using WhatsApp as query redressal social media platform
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- S., Mohan Kumar (author), Suman, Saurabh (author), Kulkarni, Umakanth P. (author), and N.H., Siddalingaswamy (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-06
- Published:
- Verizona Publisher
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 123 Document Number: D11161
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Robotics and Mechanical Engineering Research
- Journal Title Details:
- 3(1)
- Notes:
- 6 pages., via online journal., ICT has been initiated and implemented effectively by the public private partnership, government, researchers and various Institutions. Availability of wireless service, Internet and mobile communication have forced ICT to find foothold in daily routine of the Indian farmers. ICT has huge impact in agricultural development but still in natal stage. Many farmers are not availing the actual potential of ICT due to poverty, social constraint, illiteracy, language barriers and unwillingness to adopt new technology. Many Indian farmers have reported positive change in income, quality of produce and timely access to the market information by using latest mobile application. WhatsApp is the most popular and easy to use Mobile Instant Messaging service amongst the Indian farmer. It supports sharing of localized information and utilizing these services as query redressal public platform. This paper is an attempt to gather meaningful agricultural data for analysis and filtering of relevant need based information assessment. The main focus of the present work is to develop an automatic information handling and redressal of the need based agricultural information system using WhatsApp as social media platform.