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2. Beyond Participation – Building Farmer Confidence: Experience from Sub-Saharan Africa
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Ward, Andrew (author), Minja, Eliaineny (author), Blackie, Malcolm (author), Edward-Jones, Gareth (author), and NR International University of Bangor
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2007-12-01
- Published:
- United Kingdom: SAGE Journals
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 109 Document Number: D10966
- Journal Title:
- Outlook on Agriculture
- Journal Title Details:
- 36(4) : 259-266
- Notes:
- 7 pages, via online journal, Despite large investments in research to modernize African agriculture, enabling it to fulfil its potential, traditional agriculture still predominates. To many, the lack of adoption of knowledge generated through agricultural research is due either to the inexplicable functioning of the farmer's decision-making process or to a set of issues so complex that it is not clear how they could ever be overcome. This paper reviews a project in Sub-Saharan Africa in which bean pest management became a tool through which communities were empowered to address a wide range of development issues. This paper suggests that what needs to be altered substantially is the way scientists view and interact with the poor.
3. Establishing ethical organic poultry production: a question of successful cooperation management?
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Schäfer, Martina (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Language:
- Enblish
- Publication Date:
- 2019-06
- Published:
- Springer Publishing
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 84 Document Number: D10842
- Journal Title:
- Agriculture and Human Values
- Journal Title Details:
- 36(2): 315–327
- Notes:
- 13 pages., via online journal., In reaction to growing critics regarding ecological and ethical aspects of intensive animal husbandry, different initiatives of ethical poultry production try to establish alternative food supply chains on the market. To be able to stabilise these niche innovations parallel to the mainstream regime, new forms of cooperation along the value added chain and with the consumers play an important role. Based on a case study of integrated egg and meat production from a dual-purpose breed by small multifunctional farms in Northeast of Germany, the paper exemplifies the challenges for the different partners of the food supply chain and cooperation management. Empirical data were obtained via nine qualitative interviews with actors along the value chain and via participatory observation of workshops and meetings. The research was embedded in a transdisciplinary project, where different measures to meet the existing challenges were taken and evaluated. Analysing the existing cooperation reveals possibilities for improving cooperation management by e.g. clarifying the goals of the cooperation, including the points of sale as part of the food supply chain and communication of the ethical and sustainability qualities of the product to the consumers. However, the analysis also shows the limits of cooperation in an environment dominated by the paradigm of specialisation, economies of scale and cost reduction, which is also characteristic for parts of the organic sector. The paper discusses if the challenges of establishing this radical niche innovation can be met without a fundamental change of framework conditions as e.g. regulation on animal husbandry.
4. Linking 4-H to linksters
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Newman, Matthew (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-01
- Published:
- Extension Journal, Inc.
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 32 Document Number: D10605
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Extension
- Journal Title Details:
- 57(3)
- Notes:
- 5 pages., Article #:3COM2, via online journal., Advances in communication technology and associated social changes have provided opportunities as well as challenges for 4-H. Historically, the 4-H club model was predicated on a community's coming together to provide youth members opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of their respective projects. The paradox is that as communities have become more connected through cell phones and social media, face-to-face, person-to-person interaction has decreased. To stay relevant for the next hundred years, 4-H must adapt to this circumstance. This article explores the importance of leveraging technology to bring young people together, foster a sense of community for them, and instill self-efficacy within them, all through the 4-H club model.
5. The California tree mortality data collection network — enhanced communication and collaboration among scientists and stakeholders
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Axelson J. (author), Battles J. (author), Bulaon B. (author), Cluck D. (author), Cousins S. (author), Cox L. (author), Estes B. (author), Fettig C. (author), Hefty A. (author), Hushinuma S. (author), Hood S. (author), Kocher S. (author), Mortenson L. (author), Koltunov A. (author), Kuskulis E. (author), Poloni A. (author), Ramirez C. (author), Restaino C. (author), Slaton M. (author), Smith S. (author), and Tubbesing C. (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-03-11
- Published:
- USA: University of California
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 16 Document Number: D10456
- Journal Title:
- California Agriculture
- Journal Title Details:
- 73(1)
- Notes:
- 10 pages., via online journal, The collaboration helps to coordinate research on the extent and nature of tree mortality and gets the results to forest managers quickly.
6. The diffusion of innovations in agricultural circles: an explorative study on alternative antimicrobial agents
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Dan, Viorela (author), Osterheider, Angela (author), Raupp, Juliana (author), and Department of Communication Studies and Media Research, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Oettingenstrße
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2018-12-22
- Published:
- [place of publication not identified]: SAGE Publishing
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 151 Document Number: D10124
- Journal Title:
- Science Communication
- Journal Title Details:
- 41(1) : 3-37
- Notes:
- 34 pages., via online journal, he use of antibiotics in agriculture contributes to antimicrobial resistance. We surveyed German farmers (n = 336) on their intention to adopt alternative antimicrobial agents (AAA) and used the diffusion of innovations approach as a theoretical guide. (1) Farmers’ views regarding the relative advantage and complexity of AAA, (2) their use of and trust in information sources and channels, and (3) various individual and organizational characteristics were entered as predictors in two explorative models. While farmers’ intention to adopt AAA was generally very high, selected variables in all three categories predicted variations in the intensity of the adoption intention.
7. The social influence of investment decisions: A game about the Dutch pork sector
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Ambrosius, Floor H.W. (author), Hofstede, Gert Jan (author), Bokkers, Eddie A.M. (author), Bock, Bettina B. (author), and Beulens, Adrie J.M. (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-02
- Published:
- Science Direct
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 12 Document Number: D10367
- Journal Title:
- Livestock Science
- Journal Title Details:
- 220 :111-122
- Notes:
- 12 pages., Via online journal., Policy makers and researchers foresee four investment strategies for conventional pig farmers in contested pork production regions: (1) continue with a cost-price reduction strategy through modernisation and scale enlargement; (2) convert to an intermediate market segment with higher requirements as to animal welfare and environment than conventional; (3) convert to a niche market segment with higher requirements as to animal welfare and environment than intermediate; or (4) quit farming. For policy makers, it is interesting to gain insight in intensive livestock farmer's perceptions regarding these investments and in processes of social interaction that influence farmer decision-making and the potential diffusion of investment strategies over time (Edwards-Jones, 2006). The aim of this explorative study is to analyse the effect of social interaction on diffusion of investment strategies in capital-intensive livestock production systems with groups of Dutch pig farmers, using a simulation game. The game is designed in such a way that contextual factors do not provide a limiting factor. Furthermore, the game is constructed to stimulate interaction and to trigger imagination of participants. Our main research questions for the analysis of the results of the game sessions were: (1) ‘what are differences in diffusion of investment strategies between sessions?’, and (2) ‘to what extent does social interaction affect diffusion of investment strategies?’ A total of seven sessions were played, with 4–8 pig farmers and/or participants who were affiliated to the sector as advisor or successor. All game sessions were video- and voice- recorded, and interaction between participants was transcribed per game session. First, differences in diffusion of investment strategies between sessions were explored. Second, the causes for differences in diffusion between sessions were explored, by looking at the type of investment strategy, communication between participants, and processes of influence. Special attention was given to the influence of opinion leadership. The results of this research show that (1) only investment strategies with a financial benefit did, under influence of social interaction, result in high adoption; (2) for high adoption to occur, communication between participants was necessary; (3) opinion leaders played an essential role in high adoption of investment strategies; and (4) there was a common understanding among participants that favoured scale enlargement. The gaming methodology triggered participants to communicate their tacit knowledge, i.e. assessment criteria that are important in real-life investment decisions, and to experiment with investment strategies.
8. Using radio and interactive ICTs to improve food security among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Heather E. Hudson (author), Mark Leclair (author), Bernard Pelletier (author), and Recent publications: (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2017-08
- Published:
- USA: Elsevier
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 149 Document Number: D10116
- Journal Title:
- Telecommunications Policy
- Journal Title Details:
- 41(7/8) : 670-684
- Notes:
- 15 pages., via online journal, Radio is the most widely used medium for disseminating information to rural audiences across Africa. Even in very poor communities, radio penetration is vast; it is estimated there are over 800 million radios in Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper summarizes evidence on food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa and strategies to provide information on innovative agricultural practices to smallholder farmers. The research in this paper is then discussed within the context of research on information and communication technologies (ICTS) for development. Next, the paper presents the ICT-enhanced participatory radio campaign approach and ICT innovations introduced by Farm Radio International, a Canadian nongovernmental organization. The paper analyzes two participatory radio campaigns that use both listening groups and ICTs to engage African farmers. Research on these radio campaigns in six African countries is reported to examine how the participatory approach impacted listenership, knowledge and initial adoption of agricultural techniques and practices presented in the radio campaigns. The authors conclude that the findings of research on these projects could be highly relevant for increasing awareness and adoption of agricultural practices in Sub-Saharan Africa. They also appear promising for other development sectors and for other developing regions