7 pages, Agricultural extension is the medium through which external agricultural technologies have been transferred to and transplanted in Africa to improve agricultural performance. Over a period of close to a century, different agricultural extension models have been proposed but their structure and content has virtually been the same: top-down, linear, non-participatory transfer of technology with no feedback loops for reverse diffusion. This presumably explains the poor performance of Africa’s agriculture and the scale of food security challenges facing the continent. In this review paper, we trace the history of agricultural extension and examine various agricultural extension delivery models to identify their major strengths and weaknesses, using Ghana and Burkina Faso as case studies. We then review the most recent literature in the field about the philosophy, scope, content, delivery, and outcomes of agricultural extension. The conclusion that agricultural extension has consistently remained out of sync with the needs and aspirations of stallholder farmers was reached. Smallholder farmers are now calling for new agricultural extension delivery models that are truly farmer-led, indigenous knowledge-based, context-specific, culturally-relevant and environmentally-sustainable to guarantee efficient farming systems into the future.
Aurelie, Toillier (author), Baudoin, Alice (author), and Chia, Eduardo (author)
Format:
Paper
Publication Date:
2014
Published:
Burkina Faso
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 132 Document Number: D11346
Notes:
Paper presented during the 11th European International Farming System Association (IFSA) Symposium, "Farming systems facing global challenges: capacities and strategies," April 1-4, 2014, in Berlin, Germany. 11 pages in proceedings, The study involved "learning regime" as the set of mechanisms that are triggers for and lead to the acquisition of new knowledge and skills, allowing the head of the farm to improve production and management methods. Authors identified four types of regimes, calling into question the assumption of homogeneity of farmers' capabilities to change their routines to acquire new skills. Findings prompted suggestion that creating spaces for exchanges between producers who are at common stages of development or have similar problems, leveraging specific know-how of different ethnic groups and inter-cultural exchanges, and facilitating access to existing information in a given territory seem to be some of the many possible ways of strengthening existing dynamics of learning.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 141 Document Number: D06191
Notes:
Locate in file folder for Document No. D06187, Pages 56-59 in L. Johnson, Alhassan WS Anthony V. and P. Rudelsheim (eds.), 2011. Agricultural biotechnology in Africa: stewardship case studies. Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, Accra,Ghana. 60 pages., Authors emphasize the importance of having integrated communication and awareness training programmes for all players in the product life cycle.
The Netherlands: International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD)
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 151 Document Number: D10122
Notes:
124 pages., Via website., This is the final report for the IICD-led Connect4Change programme implemented during 2011-215 in Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Peru, Uganda, and Zambia. The Connect4Change programme was implemented by an alliance of Dutch development organisations, incl. IICD, Edukans, Cordaid, ICCO, Akvo and TTC Mobile.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 67 Document Number: C02667
Notes:
2 copies, James F. Evans Collection; Burton Swanson Collection. Delmar Hatesohl Collection., Rome, Italy : Information Division, Development Support Communication Branch, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 1987. 29 p.
The Netherlands: International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD)
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 149 Document Number: D10107
Notes:
9 pages., Via website., This thematic brief describes the work that IICD and local Burkinabe organisations have been implementing since 1997 to bring about ICT-enabled development at the grassroots level. It includes short case studies on: using television and puppetry for market price information services, strengthening the production and marketing of women's shea products and imprving linkages in the shea value chain, the establishment and use of a community radio station for women-led community development, and using grassroots multimedia to enhance rural sanitation and hygiene.
Karembu, Margaret (author), Nguthi, Faith (author), and Bitta, Brigitte (author)
Format:
Article
Publication Date:
2015
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 161 Document Number: D07875
Notes:
Pages 103-106 in M.J. Navarro (ed.), Voices and views: why biotech? ISAAA Brief No. 50, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications,Ithaca, New York. 158 pages.
