Online from publisher website., By embracing modern technology and engaging enthusiastic young people, the work of an NGO in Malawi is extending the reach of agricultural extension across the country.
November issue., Article investigated two examples of group extension for knowledge exchange and innovation among farmers, discussions within the Beef Technology Adoption Programme (BTAP) in Ireland and monitor farms in Scotland.
AGRICOLA IND 92017545; Presented at the VIII World Congress of IAALD, May, 1990, Budapest, Hungary, The mid-term review of the Fifth Malaysia Plan (1986-1990) has stated that emphasis will be placed on accelerating transfer fo technology to small holders to improve their productivity and efficiency. Technology transfer can be achieved through publications, newspapers, radio and television networks and interpersonal methods as exemplified by the Agricultural Information Dissemination Programme launched in 1983 by the Ministry of Agriculture which has contributed to increased farmers' awareness of new agricultural technologies. Communication through the printed media can be tailored to specific clientele needs if their demography, psychological response, literacy and real information demands are understood. The advent of information technology has benefited Malaysia in the transfer of technology by reducing costs in terms of time. This is seem in the rapidity with which information can be mass produced for dissemination by using desktop publishing which further allows information transfer though the printed media to be expedited, thus bringing to the farmers new information quickly. This approach to publication is not only more cost effective, but faster.
Via journal online., Agriculture is inherently a risky enterprise because of its dependence on rainfall. To mitigate
risks, farmers diversify crops and enterprises, maintain stabilization account or resort to the sale of assets. Crop insurance is a complementary institutional mechanism that aids farmers to cope with risks better.Considering the importance of crop insurance in risk mitigation, this paper using data from a large-scale farmers’ survey we identify the factors that influence farmers’ decision to buy crop insurance and subsequently assess its impact on farm income, production expenses and productive investments in agriculture. Farmers’ adoption of crop insurance is low— 4.80% kharif season and 3.17% in the rabi season mainly on account of lack of awareness about insurance products. Nevertheless, the probability of adoption of insurance is higher for those who experience higher crop loss and have some formal training in agriculture. The subsidy on premium also positively influences crop insurance uptake decisions. On the other hand, the factors like the lower social status, tenant farming and exposure to deficit-rainfall in the previous year are negatively associated with the decision to insure. The results on the impact of insurance are not conclusive to prove that insured farmer subsumes higher risks compared to the uninsured.
