6 pages., ISSN: 2456-1878, via online journal., The use of mobile phones as means of
communication between the extension agents and local
farmers in Edo South was examined to determine the
perception of the extension agents on its effectiveness.
Fifty-one (51) respondents were obtained through random
sampling using questionnaires to obtain relevant
information in the two local government areas; Ovia North
East and Ovia South West selected for the study. The result
obtained indicated that male extension agents were in
majority (72.5%), 54.9% of the sampled population above
45 years of age and 58.8% possessed 16 – 20 years working
experience. Phone calls and short message service (SMS)
were found appropriate for agricultural information
dissemination. Significant and positive relationships were
established between the working experience of extension
agents and their perception of mobile phone usage. The
recommendation is that formal integration of mobile phone
into extension activities be done to enhance wider coverage,
reduce cost and risks associated with movement. Extension
agents and farmers need more training on effective usage
of SMS and phone calls for interaction on farm related
issues. Enforcement of existing telecommunication laws
could reduce network failure and also enhance effective
usage.
14 pages., via online journal., Parks and protected areas can be ideal settings for climate change communication since many visitors have an affinity for natural and cultural settings, and an interest in resource protection. However, climate-based education efforts in the Midwestern United States may need a slightly different approach since this region lacks obvious indicators, such as sea level rise and melting glaciers. Interpretation, an informal communication process designed to transmit scientific information to visitors in leisure-based settings, could be a useful strategy for engaging visitors in climate change discussions. Few studies have assessed perceptions of interpreters on this topic, much less, their willingness to communicate such information. To address this issue, a mixed methods approach (surveys, interviews, photovoice) was used to examine interpreters’ perceptions of climate change and its impacts in Missouri State Park and Historic Sites. Although nearly 70% of interpreters were either alarmed or concerned about climate change, many of them were unsure about its causation. Interpreters report observing impacts such as flooding, earlier plant blooming, high temperatures, extreme weather, and invasive species, but were uncertain about attributing these impacts to climate change. Interpreters did not believe that visitors would be responsive to climate-based education per se but thought the topic could be addressed in pre-existing programs and activities. Rather than discussing complex science with visitors, interpreters felt more comfortable with conveying the significance of resources at their sites. Implications from this study include acknowledging multiple viewpoints, framing strategic messages, and developing place-based educational materials.
6 pages., ISSN: 2311-6110, via online journal., Agricultural universities invest substantial resources in postgraduate research that generate knowledge products. These are aimed at providing solutions to practical constraints impeding increased productivity in the agricultural sector, which plays a vital role in Kenya's economic development. Using a case study of Egerton University, this study aimed to determine the strategies most frequently used to share the generated knowledge products, and to find out their preferences of the knowledge sharing strategies in use. The actors' perception of the relevance and accessibility of the knowledge products generated at the University was also examined. The study was conducted through desktop study which reviewed the Masters and Doctorate Theses that targeted livestock value chain actors generated between January 2005 and December 2011. A survey was conducted using structured questionnaires to collect data from a sample size of 198 actors. The findings indicated that the knowledge products were 25 to 29 times more likely (P<0.001) to be disseminated through the library than any other sharing strategy examined. The sampled actors in livestock value chain perceived media briefs to be the most accessible with a mean of 4.26. The Masters Theses were perceived as more relevant to their needs with a mean of 4.07. The findings indicate that the livestock value chain actors were not fully utilizing the knowledge sharing strategies used to reach them. The study concluded that the defined primary beneficiaries of knowledge products from the university were not effectively reached.
