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.
Kante, Assa (author), Dunkel, Florence (author), Williams, Ashley (author), Magro,Sam (author), Traore, Haoua (author), Camara, Abdoulaye (author), and Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education
Format:
Paper
Publication Date:
2009-05
Published:
Mali
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 185 Document Number: D00429
Notes:
Pages 284-291 in the proceedings of the 25th annual meeting of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education in San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 24-28, 2009.
Hoskins, Marilyn W. (author / Visiting professor and Title XII International Programs Chairperson for Rural Sociology, Anthropology, and Community Development, Virginia Poly- technic Institute and State University)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1981-03
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 79 Document Number: C04445
Balit, Silvia (author / Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
2004-07
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 167 Document Number: C27920
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C29800
Notes:
Pages 31-57 in Anthony A. Olorunnisola (ed.), Media and communications industries in Nigeria: impacts of neoliberal reforms between 1999 and 2007. Edwin Mellon Press, Lewiston, New York. 278 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 167 Document Number: C27908
Notes:
Presented at the Participatory Communication Research Section in the annual meeting of the International Association for Media and Communication Research, Barcelona, Spain, July 21-26, 2002. 11 pages.
