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2. Agricultural Extension Services amidst COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria: Policy Options
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Olayiwola Issa, Fadlullah (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2022-02-24
- Published:
- International: AJOL
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 204 Document Number: D12515
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Agricultural Extension
- Journal Title Details:
- 26 (1)
- Notes:
- 9 pages., The paper explored the policy options targeted at preventing extreme hunger after surviving the COVID-19 pandemic. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 15 key informants across five purposively selected Local Government Areas in Kaduna and Ogun States for this study. Checklist (administered through recorded telephone calls) was used to elicit responses (qualitative data) on the impacts of COVID-19 on the food system. This paper concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted on the food system thus challenging the AES to employ more innovative and pragmatic approaches to reach the farmers. Major impacts of COVID-19 on food system were disruptions in agricultural production, limitation of field visit by extension personnel and distortion of technology delivery system. Major recommendations include: in response to the stay-at-home order in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Agricultural extension services (AES) should explore virtual means to reach the clientele. To this end, farm operations and new techniques should be packaged into short clips and shared via various platforms. Also, legislative means to consider AEAS as essential services should be sought; and extensionists should be trained and provided with personal protection equipment (PPE) to enable them reach farmers. Such field officers should be insured and provided with adequate tangible mobility.
3. Training, Trust, and Technology: A Mixed-Methods Study of Latin American Extension Workers’ Experiences During COVID-19
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Lamiño Jaramillo, Pablo (author), Boren-Alpizar, Amy (author), Morales Vanegas, Sarachi (author), and Millares-Forno, Carla (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2022-01-31
- Published:
- United States: New Prairie Press
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 204 Document Number: D12497
- Journal Title:
- Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education
- Journal Title Details:
- 29 (1)
- Notes:
- 19 pages, The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected people's lives around the world, including agricultural extension workers. To date, few studies have been conducted to understand the adaptation of extension services in Latin American countries during the pandemic. This mixed-methods study explored Latin-American extension professionals’ preparation to implement knowledge-sharing activities and sought to understand extension professionals' responsiveness to COVID-19. The results revealed significant differences in extension responsiveness, between field extension workers and in-office extension workers. Delving into this difference revealed that field extension professionals perceived lower responsiveness because they were not able to continue their pre-pandemic, face-to-face activities in the field with farmers; on the other hand, office extension workers were able to complete and respond to their annual program objectives by increasing institutional partnerships by virtual means. Resilience was found in the two phases of this study. Extension professionals were viewed by farmers as a reliable resource for addressing COVID-19 challenges. Extension professionals began using new communications technologies to train farmers, even though they were not trained in these technologies themselves. It will be important to begin formally incorporating the use of new technology, and alternative communication strategies with communities during crises, as part of preparation for field technicians.
4. COVID-19 and the Sustainability of Agricultural Extension Models
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Siankwilimba, E. (author), Hiddlestone-Mumford, J. (author), Hang’ombe Mudenda, B.M. (author), Mumba, C. (author), and Hoque, Md. E (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2022-01-05
- Published:
- United Kingdom: Visnav
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 204 Document Number: D12485
- Journal Title:
- International Journal of Applied Chemical and Biological Sciences
- Journal Title Details:
- Vol. 3 (1)
- Notes:
- 20 pages., Agricultural extension and advisory services in information and technology dissemination and delivery are critical in a developing country’s food security and sustainability. Without extension service provision, the productivity and production smallholder farmers are experiencing would have been much lower, and current global hunger and malnutrition worse. This paper assesses the effects of COVID-19 on the sustainability of agricultural extension models/approaches for smallholder farmers in developing countries. Over 60 papers were reviewed covering 2019-2021, commencing with the disease outbreak in China. Based on characteristics and usage, the findings indicate most reviewed extension models were disrupted. No single model was entirely disbanded as the impact of COVID-19 was being felt. However, each model incorporated a digital means of communication to keep farmers and service providers in touch. There is considerable criticism around the inadequacy of these extension techniques in advancing the agenda for smallholder farming’s long-term viability that needs to be addressed
5. On the value of innovation and extension information: SCN-resistant soybean varieties
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Moschini, Giancarlo (author) and Lee, Seungki (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2022-01-02
- Published:
- United States of America: Wiley Online
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 205 Document Number: D12538
- Journal Title:
- American Journal of Agricultural Economics
- Notes:
- 22 pages, This paper presents direct evidence on the impact of a specific extension program that is aimed at promoting the adoption of varieties resistant to the soybean cyst nematode (SCN), specifically the Iowa State University SCN-Resistant Soybean Variety Trials. We use two data sources: experimental data from these variety trials and a rich proprietary dataset on farmers’ seed purchases. Combining these data, we estimate the value of soybean cyst nematode-resistant variety availability, and the associated variety trials that provide information on their performance to farmers and seed companies. Given the scope and diffusion of this extension program, the focus of the analysis is on Iowa and northern Illinois over the period 2011–2016. Farmers’ seed choices are modeled in a discrete choice framework, specifically a one-level nested logit model. Using the estimated demand model, we find farmers’ marginal willingness to pay for soybean cyst nematode-resistant varieties, and for related extension information provided by the Iowa State University SCN-Resistant Soybean Variety Trials program, to be large. These results are confirmed by counterfactual analyses showing that, over the six-year period and region of the study, the total ex post welfare change associated with the existence of, and information about, SCN-resistant seeds is about $478 million. About one-third of this surplus is captured by seed suppliers, and two-thirds accrues to farmers.
6. Development and validation of the international extension network advocacy capacity scale
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Lamm, Kevan W. (author), Lamm, Alexa (author), Davis, Kristin E. (author), Dobbins, Catherine (author), and Powell, Alyssa (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2021-12-29
- Published:
- USA: New Prairie Press
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 205 Document Number: D12684
- Journal Title:
- Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education
- Journal Title Details:
- Vol. 28, Iss. 5
- Notes:
- 24 pages, Extension is sometimes viewed globally as less important than academic research and innovation, even though these networks are crucial to agricultural development. Using Lewin’s (1947) organizational change theory as a conceptual background, an instrument to measure advocacy capacity within international extension networks was developed. The resulting scale was analyzed for content validity, response process validity, internal structure validity, and consequential validity. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on the proposed scale. The underlying structure of the scale was found to load onto five factors. The five extracted factors were labelled: 1) network support of advocacy, 2) network integration of advocacy, 3) network influence in advocacy, 4) network visibility in advocacy, and 5) network advocacy performance. The overall International Extension Network Advocacy Capacity (IENAC) scale, and associated subscales were all found to have acceptable levels of validity.
7. Extension support for cassava (Manihot esculenta) production and processing in Nigeria: Effects on farm practice adoption
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Otubo, Oluchi L. (author) and Molnar, Joseph J. (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2021-10-31
- Published:
- International: Academic Journals
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 204 Document Number: D12372
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development
- Journal Title Details:
- Vol. 13 (4)
- Notes:
- 9 pages., Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is an important regional food source, providing food and income to over 30 million farmers, processors, and traders in Nigeria. Extension programs support awareness and interest in new technologies; they facilitate the adoption and adaptation of new approaches to crop production, post-harvest processing, and marketing. Extension can be understood as an intermediary or catalyst in the dissemination of information to rural farmers. This study analyzed the effect of cassava farmers’ exposure to extension on a broad measure of cassava technology adoption, while considering the influence of some individual and farm characteristics as control variables. Data were obtained from personal interviews with sample of 952 households conducted in southern Nigeria. Results show a relationship between extension exposure and technology adoption. Farmer-to-farmer interaction played the greatest role in diffusion of the technologies. Interactions with extension agents were low, suggesting that adoption of improved technologies could be enhanced by improved regular contact with extension information. The results underscore the importance of farmer-to-farmer interaction processes that often overshadow extension assistance in supporting and guiding the use of production technology. The conclusions consider some implications for 21st century extension.
8. Analysis of Village Extension Agents' Access and Use of Information and Communication Technology in Delivery of Extension Services in the Central Agricultural Zone of Plateau State, Nigeria
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Vihi, S.K. (author), Tor, L.G. (author), Jesse, B. (author), Dalla, AA.. (author), Onuwa, G.C. (author), and Haroun, M. (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2021-10-21
- Published:
- Russia: iVolga Press
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 204 Document Number: D12427
- Journal Title:
- Russian Journal of Agricultural and Socio-Economic Sciences
- Journal Title Details:
- Vol.118(10
- Notes:
- 11 pages, This study examined village extension agent’s access and use of information and communication technology in extension services delivery to farmers in Plateau State, Nigeria. The population for the study consisted of all the village extension agents (VEAs) of the Plateau Agricultural Development Program (PADP) in the central agricultural zone of the state. Multistage sampling technique was employed in selecting the respondents for the study. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaires and interview techniques and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study shows that majority (77%) of the sampled village extension agents (VEAs) were males with a mean age of 43 years, Majority (87%) of the respondents were married with a mean household size of 4 persons. The study also showed that majority (80%) of the VEAs had tertiary education with a mean working experience of 13 years and average monthly income of ₦64875. The result also shows that four (4) out of the seven (7) listed ICT facilities were adjudged the ICT facilities accessible to VEAs in the study area having had mean values above the discriminating index (x̅ =2.50). They included; GSM (phone) (x̅ =3.94), radio (x̅ = 2.83), television (x̅ = 2.73) and computer (x̅ = 2.68). Based on 2.50 discriminating index, only two out of seven listed conventional ICT facilities had mean values above the discriminating index (x̅ 2.50) and thus were adjudged the ICT facilities used by VEAs. The GSM (phone) had the highest mean value of 3.62 followed by radio with mean value of 2.54. The logit regression result shows that coefficients of years of working experience and monthly income were significant and positively related to ICT use, while age and complexity in use of ICT were significant and negatively related to ICT use. Major constraints to use of ICT by VEAs includes; lack of administrative support in provision of ICT (87%), lack of in-service training on ICT use (66%), Poor salary/remuneration (64%), lack of awareness of ICT importance in extension (56%) among others. The study recommends intervention, serious synergy, and proactive response on the part of the government, non-governmental organization,s and extension organizations in ICT provision and training of VEAs on ICT use as well as stepping up campaigns on the importance of ICT use in agricultural extension delivery.
9. Farmers’ Perceived Needs of Extension’ Support During Covid-19 in Hawai'i
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Eng, Sothy (author), Khun, Tricia (author), Esquivel, Monica (author), Ooki, Nancy (author), Bloese, Joanna (author), Sand, Shannon (author), and Lincoln, Noa (author)
- Format:
- Journal Article
- Publication Date:
- 2021-05
- Published:
- United States: Clemson University Press
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 203 Document Number: D12201
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Extension
- Journal Title Details:
- Issue 59 (2)
- Notes:
- 9 pages., Extension plays an essential role in serving local communities. How it can support farmers during the pandemic is a novel phenomenon that necessitates careful analysis. Drawing from a survey responded by 313 farmers across Hawai'i in late April 2020, this study assesses how farmers feel Extension can support them best during the pandemic. Farmers identified five areas of needs: community engagement and networking, information sharing and education, funding, research, and local sustainability. Discussion regarding the role of Extension support during the pandemic is offered.
10. Assessment of socio-economic characteristics that determine farmers’ access to agricultural extension services in Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Loki, O. (author), Aliber, A. (author), and Sikweli, M.M. (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2021-04-26
- Published:
- South Africa: Academy of Science of South Africa
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 204 Document Number: D12352
- Journal Title:
- South African Journal of Agricultural Extension
- Journal Title Details:
- Issue 49(1)
- Notes:
- 12 pages., The study reported on in this paper investigated smallholder farmers’ access to extension services. The study sought to distinguish the varying degrees of access to services of smallholder farmers engaged in different production systems, that is, home gardening, field cropping, and livestock production. The study was conducted in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape, specifically in two communities, namely Ngcabasa and Phathikhala villages. Research activities included a survey of 100 farmers as well as focus group discussions. Employing logistic regression analysis, the study aimed to understand what influences whether or not a smallholder farmer accesses extension. The study also used various types of comparative statistics (T-test) to assess the implications of access to extension support, for instance for production and farm income. The main findings of the study were that 68% of the farming households interviewed in Ngcabasa and 71% of those in Phathikhala had access to extension services. Farmers who had access to extension had more farm income in both enterprises compared to those who had no access to extension services. From the regression analysis, farmers who were more likely to receive extension support appeared to be those who were older, those with less education, and those farming with livestock.
11. Reorienting Priorities of Extension and Advisory Services in India during and Post COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Chander, Mahesh (author) and Rathod, Prakashkumar (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2020-07-01
- Published:
- India: Indian Journal of Extension Education
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 294 Document Number: D12489
- Journal Title:
- Indian Journal of Extension Education
- Journal Title Details:
- Vol. 56 (3)
- Notes:
- Extension and Advisory Services (EAS) are delivered by millions of extension professionals representing the public, private and civil society located across the globe and have been helping in addressing farmers’ needs over the years, including during COVID-19 pandemic situation. However, public sector has been a major agency dealing with EAS in India and is facing several challenges and constraints to fulfil the demands of farmers on timely basis. The challenge today is to change the organizational culture to incorporate innovation as a core value and to institutionalize the emerging paradigms. Further, different strategies and measures need to be taken to ensure timely and quality EAS by reorienting extension priorities in such emergency situations and later too. In this context, an effort to review the extension mechanism across India and also has focused on reorienting extension priorities post COVID-19 scenario. The study has highlighted on strengthening extension and feedback mechanism, improving research-extension linkages, capacity building, public-private partnership (PPP), developing infrastructure, mass media support and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) etc. to improve the efficiency as the time demands. The paper concludes that reorienting extension priorities is very essential with a vast network of various stakeholders by adapting effective approaches like utilization of social media, human resource development, PPP, farmer groups etc. during and post pandemic scenario. Further, empirical efforts are also needed to develop reliable, location-specific, participatory, gender-sensitive and inexpensive extension methodologies and materials to meet the demands during such crisis. Further, developing countries like India have to invest in terms of various resources like financial, human resource etc. for promoting higher productivity and sustainability through EAS.
12. Communicating with data: telling the extension story in credible and actionable Ways
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Craig, Diane D. (author) and Borger, Ruth H. (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-06
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 122 Document Number: D11146
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Human Sciences and Extension
- Journal Title Details:
- 7(2):144-174
- Notes:
- 30 pages., via online journal., Effective communication requires a good message delivered through an effective channel and received by a receptive individual. When that communication is successful, the result is enhanced credibility and trust between the sender and the receiver. Telling the Extension story effectively requires both relevant, credible data to compose a clear message and appropriate communication channels to deliver the message to various audiences. This article describes the approach taken by Florida Extension to gather better statewide data to improve communication about the impact of its Extension work, primarily through the use of infographics. With credible data, and working together, Extension data analysts and communicators can enhance Extension’s reputation, trust, and support with key stakeholders.
13. Contributions to group work and to the management of collective processes in extension and rural development
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Landini, Fernando (author), Bianqui, Vanina (author), Vargas, Gilda (author), Inés Mathot y Rebolé, María (author), Martinez, Manuela (author), and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina National Council of Scientific and Technological Research, Argentina University of La Cuenca del Plata, Argentina University of Morón, Argentina University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2017-10-07
- Published:
- Argentina: Science Direct
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 106 Document Number: D10934
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Rural Studies
- Journal Title Details:
- 56(2017) : 143-155
- Notes:
- 12 pages, via online journal, Working with farmers' groups, associations and cooperatives constitutes a fundamental element of extension work with family farmers. Despite the fact that extension practitioners face many problems in this area of their work, there is currently a lack of academic literature that systematically addresses the topic and offers concrete guidelines for practice. Thus, this paper will aim to clarify the benefits of farmers' groups, associations and networks within the context of family farming, systematise problems faced by rural extensionists when working with farmers' groups and associations, provide conceptual tools for understanding group and associative processes, and construct a set of guidelines and recommendations for facing said problems. In order to achieve these aims, the authors conducted an extensive literature review and drew upon their personal experience on the topic. Results suggest that some of the benefits of associative work are: better access to inputs, produce and credit markets, the facilitation of learning processes, the empowerment of family farmers as social actors, and a reduction of rural extension costs. Additionally, with respects to the problems faced by extensionists, the following can be highlighted: individualist attitudes and conflicts between farmers, scarce participation and commitment, problems with leaderships and with organisations' administrative management, and the lack of extensionists' training to address these processes, among others. With regards to the factors that increase trust and cooperation are: interpersonal communication and mutual knowledge, sharing problems, values and objectives, and the existence of shared rules for the functioning of the group that include sanctions for transgressors. In this context, the extensionists' role will be that of facilitating processes of construction of group relationships, creating rules for the groups' functioning and developing the group's capacities for self-management.
14. Engagement and Extension: an examination of internal branding in Kansas Extension
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- King, Audrey E.H. (author) and Boone, Kristina M. (author)
- Format:
- Conference paper
- Publication Date:
- 2017-02
- Published:
- USA
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 163 Document Number: D08152
- Notes:
- Research paper presented in the Agricultural Communications Section, Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS) conference in Mobile, Alabama, February 4-7, 2017. 16 pages.
15. Partnership between and among the state and non-state actors in agricultural extension
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Ojha, Gana Pati (author)
- Format:
- Abstract
- Publication Date:
- 2011
- Published:
- Nepal
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 188 Document Number: D01418
- Journal Title:
- Social Research Reports
- Journal Title Details:
- 20
16. Farmer interest groups: factors influencing their sustainability and the involvement of extension agencies
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Hoang, Tu (author) and Graham, Doug (author)
- Format:
- Conference paper
- Publication Date:
- 2006-03-06
- Published:
- Vietnam
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 150 Document Number: C24323
- Notes:
- 8 p. Paper presented at the Australasia Pacific Extension Network in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia, March 6-8, 2006
17. Services development perspectives in new rural districts in Benin: case study of the agricultural extension in Banikoara
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Moumouni Moussa, Ismail (author)
- Format:
- Conference paper
- Publication Date:
- 2006-03-06
- Published:
- Benin
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 150 Document Number: C24304
- Notes:
- 12 p. Paper presented at the Australasia Pacific Extension Network in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia, March 6-8, 2006
18. Local marketing and promotional efforts of Florida extension agents
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Telg, Ricky (author), Irani, Tracy (author), and Hurst, Ashley (author)
- Format:
- Research paper
- Publication Date:
- 2006-02-04
- Published:
- USA
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 149 Document Number: C23999
- Notes:
- 23 p. Paper presented at the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists' 103rd annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. [Agricultural Communications Section].
19. Perceptions of trust and employees' attitudes: a look at Nigeria's agricultural extension workers
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Ladebo, O.J. (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2006
- Published:
- Nigeria
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 148 Document Number: D11587
- Journal Title:
- Journal of Business and Psychology
- Journal Title Details:
- 20(3) : 409-427
- Notes:
- 20 pages., Online via UI e-subscription, Researcher examined the attitude reactions to trust among coworkers and between employees and management. Results provided support for the relationship between a climate of trust and group cohesion.
20. Extension, facing current and future realities or else
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Richardson, John G. (author)
- Format:
- Proceedings
- Publication Date:
- 2005-05-25
- Published:
- USA
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 150 Document Number: C24339
- Journal Title Details:
- 21
- Notes:
- James J. Connors of The Ohio State University edited the proceedings., 12 p. Paper presented at the International Agricultural and Extension Education group's 21st annual conference May 25-31, 2005, in San Antonio, TX