This paper describes the rationale for a change from conventional extension towards participatory innovation development and extension. The "Conservation Tillage Project" and the "Food Security Project" developed such an approach and have embarked on institutionalisation of this approach into the agricultural extension service in Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe. Dialogue with farmers, farmer experimentation and the strengthening ofself-organisational capacities of rural communities are the major elements to improve development and spreading of innovations, thus the efficiency of extension. The new approach requires a role change of agricultural extension workers from teacher to facilitator as well as appropriate methods and tools. Elements of "Training for Transformation" and Participatory Rural Appraisal(PRA) were tested and developed and were found to be effective tools. The strategy to institutionalise participatory extension is based on joining efforts and networking with other organisations, a campaign to familiarise institutional staff and a training and follow-up programme for staff in the framework of organisational development. The experiences show that the attitudinal change required to implement participatory approaches is highly depended on personalities. To have an impact on the change of attitudes a continuous medium-term training process with a close follow-up is required. The paper concludes that institutionalisation of participatory approaches into hierarchically structured organisations is a highly complex intervention. In order to besuccessful, major changes in planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation procedures are required. Changes of that nature require a process of at least 5 to 10 years and high commitment on the side of institutional staff on all levels and donors as well.
Hirevenkanagoudar, L.V. (author / Extension Consultant, Directorate of Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal, Bangalore, India) and Extension Consultant, Directorate of Extension, University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal, Bangalore, India
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1984-12
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 78 Document Number: C04337
18 pages, This paper presents the findings of challenges facing Zimbabwe’s extension services and how these have affected the adoption of technologies they render to small-scale farmers. This study uses a critical review of relevant literature on Zimbabwe’s primary public extension agency (AGRITEX). Additionally, 21 key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to corroborate data collected in secondary research on extension approaches currently in use, the key factors affecting technology adoption, and the technology adoption process of small-scale farmers. The study found AGRITEX’s major challenges to be poor funding, poor remuneration and incentives for extension personnel, lack of in-service training, lack of appropriate technology, as well as poor operational resources like transport to reach all farmers. Consequently, services offered to small-scale farmers were compromised, which led to poor adoption of recommended technologies. Furthermore, the study determined that key factors influencing technology adoption are related to the farmers’ circumstances, the operating environment, and the attributes of technology itself. As a lasting solution to poor technology adoption, an adaptive extension system that promotes building the capacity of extension workers and researchers, as well as embracing farmers and their indigenous knowledge, is proposed
Decker, Daniel J. (author), Merrill, William G. (author), and Decker: Assistant Professor and Extension Leader, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Merrill: Professor of Dairy Management, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1990
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 76 Document Number: C04123
James F. Evans Collection; See C04120 for original; AGRICOLA IND 90027729, Despite its increased use in recent years, evaluation of videotape application to non-formal adult education has been limited. Dairy specialists at Cornell University believing that a videotape might work well, produced a 25 minute videotape as part of an educational program on proper milking procedures. Although a workshop setting was the intended format for viewing the videotape, it was clear the videotape might be used in less-structured settings, such as a farmer's home. Therefore, it was developed to be self-explanatory, with a supplemental bulletin. Dairy farmers liked having a videotape as part of the workshop. Furthermore, the videotaped-based program lead to improvement in knowledge and change in attitude among farmers. The value of follow-up contact to understand the extent of actual impact was also demonstrated.
