James F. Evans Collection; See C06647 for original; Based on a thesis submitted to the University of Pretoria in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree M. Inst. Agrar., This study examines the influence of tribal leaders and front line extension workers on agricultural development in Swaziland. Based on a 12 percent stratified random sample including 23 chiefdomss, 46 tribal leaders and 23 front line extension workers were interviewed by using a structured interview schedule. In search of a valid measure of agricultural development, several indicators were used. The number of cattle per homestead, the saving status of homesteads and the subjective ratings by senior extension personnel were found to be invalid. Evaluated against an agricultural development index it was found that tribal leaders, although not as important as extension workers, were found to have a significant influence, especially as far as their involvement, inputs, credibility and their perceptions are concerned. These findings suggest that tribal leaders, if involved in a positive way, can contribute towards agricultural development, although more research is needed concerning, inter alia, valid criteria for measuring agricultural development and the analysis of the perceptions of subordinates (original).
15 pages, This study presents a designed ICT based extension service delivery system for the sugar industry of Eswatini. The model is an improvement of the current system and it presents a delivery system that is void of many limitations. This model emanates from findings of a survey which involved all smallholder sugarcane farmers (N=172) and their extension officers (N=17). The survey investigated how information and knowledge are currently managed within the sugar industry. Basically, the model revolves around the use of mobile phones to relay information among the sugar industry stakeholders in a timely, more organised, productive and cost-effective ways, without contravention of the COVID-19 pandemic protocols. Sugarcane stakeholders can now be able to exchange information using the model without having to meet physically, which is what most of the traditional approaches required. The exchange of information can be in a form of voiced, pre-recorded information in the form of texts, audio, or audio visuals. This would go a long way in enhancing smallholder farmer’s productivity as it has the potential of empowering more rural sugarcane farmers with crucial information for improved productivity. The model has the potential to sustain itself as the participation of the stakeholders is promoted.
