12 pages., In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), declining soil fertility is among the factors affecting optimal food production. Although a number of interventions have been implemented to improve soil fertility management (SFM) in SSA, their adoption especially among small scale farmers has been low. Although the literature provides considerable evidence of socio-economic factors which influence adoption, the subject of how communication influences adoption of SFM remains under-explored. This paper therefore reviewed studies on SFM communication in SSA. The objectives were to identify the current focus of studies on SFM communication, the current definitions of communication which informed such studies, and the type of SFM practices being communicated in the SSA region. Using specific search terms, articles were collected from various databases and content analysed. The review revealed five main themes as the focus of current studies on SFM. The study also revealed two main interpretations of communication which in turn influence the use of either diffusion or participatory communication strategies for SFM communication. The review also showed a focus on integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) messages in the SSA area. The study concludes that while each of the two communication strategies has their individual strengths, farmers prefer participatory strategies. This is because participatory strategies foster interaction and greater understanding; thereby, increasing the likelihood of farmer adoption of SFM practices in SSA. The review concludes by calling for further research on the use of participatory communication to engage farmers about various SFM practices in SSA.
Misra, B. (author), Rajguru, G. (author), and Department of Extension, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, India; Department of Extension, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, India
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1975-03-16
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 43 Document Number: B05046
INTERPAKS, Reviews how the agricultural extension agent has dealt with the process of technology transfer and the categories of farmers affected by the diffusion process. Discusses CIMMYT's model of grouping rural populations into homogenous target categories to develop appropriate technologies and the influence it has had on the process of technology development. Points out that strategies intended to assist small farmers depend as much on the creation of appropriate opportunities as on the creation of appropriate technologies.
