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.
DeWeese, June L. (author), Esslinger, Donald L. (author), McCorkle, Constance M. (author), and McCorkle: Research Assistant Professor, Department of Rural Sociology, University of Missouri, Columbia; Esslinger: Professor and Interim Director, Extension Information and Agricultural Editor, University of Missouri, Columbia; DeWeese: Social Science Librarian, University of Missouri, Columbia
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1988
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 74 Document Number: C03706
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection, Mimeographed, 1988. 28 p. Paper presented to the Global Information/Communication Session of the 1988 Farming Systems Research and Extension Symposium; 1988 October 9-12; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Ray, Howard E. (author / Vice President and Director of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Academy for Educational Development) and Vice President and Director of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Academy for Educational Development
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1988
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 69 Document Number: C02924
International: Asian Productivity Organization, Tokyo, Japan.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C25331
Notes:
Report of an APO study meeting, February 25-March 6, 1992, in Tokyo, Japan. 259 pages., Includes four papers about agricultural and extension information systems in Japan. Also includes brief country reports from Bangladesh, Republic of China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 174 Document Number: C29759
Notes:
Recommendations from the 2nd Agriculture Leadership Summit, New Delhi, India, September 4-5, 2009. 13 pages., Summary and recommendations, including those involving extension and communications.
