2 pages., Via UI online subscription., Purpose: This paper examines extension practises of agricultural workers within the Egyptian government and the perceived barriers they face in implementing participatory approaches, identifying improvements required in research and extension processes to meet the real needs of Egyptian farming communities.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Key barriers for engaging in participatory extension were identified using content analysis of semi-structured interviews, surveys and focus group discussion of 37 government agricultural workers along with participant observation and review of existing literature.
Findings: The majority of workers surveyed understood basic participatory extension principles and desired to use these approaches. Changing from traditional ‘top down’ extension to systems that engage with farmers' needs at the community level is made difficult due to the aging and poorly functioning Village Extension Worker (VEW) network. Thus, it is far easier for the research driven extension programmes to use technology transfer models.
Practical Implications: Participatory extension relies on strong relationship building and open communication between farmers, extension workers, researchers, interest groups and policy-makers. The Egyptian government must properly establish and resource the pivotal role of VEWs within the extension system to meet its strategic aims of modernising agriculture, developing food security and improving the livelihoods of rural inhabitants.
Originality/Value: This paper captures the unique perspectives of government research, extension and education workers involved in agricultural development at a time directly after the 2010 revolution, when they were able to more openly reflect on the past and present situations.
Mattocks, D.M. (author), Steel, R.E. (author), and Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development, Morrilton, AK; Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development, Morrilton, AK
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1992
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 93 Document Number: C06974
James F. Evans Collection; Adapted from a presentation entitled "Bridging the research-farmer gap : examining the role of nongovernmental organizations in agricultural extension" contained in Conference Proceedings, 1992 Symposium for Research in Agricultural and Extension Education; 1992 May; Columbus, OH
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C19323
Notes:
Burton Swanson Collection, pp. 515-539; from "Systems approaches for agricultural development"; Proceedings of the International Symposium on Systems Approaches for Agricultural Development, 2-6 December 1991, Bangkok, Thailand; volume 2; ISBN 0792318803
Cole, Remileku Rakey (author / Cornell University) and Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education
Format:
conference papers
Publication Date:
1997-03-04
Published:
Africa
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 133 Document Number: C20269
Notes:
Burton Swanson Collection, Section A; from "1997 conference papers : Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education", 13th Annual Conference, 3, 4, 5 April 1997, Arlington, Virginia
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 7 Document Number: D10093
Notes:
Pages 81-83 in Workshop on communications linkages between national programs and international agricultural organizations, Cali, Colombia, April 14-18, 1986., This presentation abstract is maintained in ACDC storage within Document No. D09983, Abstract of a conference presentation from the files of the Agricultural Communications Program, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
