10 pages, via online journal, Model farmers are a common feature of many developing world agricultural extension networks within which they demonstrate new cultivation techniques and technologies to local communities. The diverse political-economic and socio-cultural roles that such farmers assume, however, are rarely afforded critical scrutiny. To do so, we emphasise the ways in which model farmers facilitate not only the production and transfer of knowledge but also of materials and legitimacy. These transfers occur both horizontally to community members and vertically through linkages with extension agents, research institutions and private sector interests. We establish how these transfers have important impacts upon both efficiency and equity. To illustrate, we use examples of model farmers drawn from research on hybrid rice dissemination in Mandya district, Karnataka. Despite having the same official functions within the extension network, the model farmers we surveyed assumed strongly different roles with notable implications for the effectiveness of knowledge transfer alongside equity considerations.
Online via Social Sciences Research Network. 1 page., Author's analysis of obstacles for women entrepreneurship. Among those cited: "traditional mindset of the society," "negligence of the state and respective authorities," "absence of definite agenda of life, absence of balance between family and career obligations of women, poor degree of financial freedom for women," "lack of professional education," and others. Cited "need of continuous attempt to inspire, encourage, motivate and co-operate women entrepreneurs..."
