Adams, Patricia A. (author), Brown, J. Lynne (author), Kaltreider, D. Lynne (author), Sims, Laura S. (author), and Institute of Policy Research and Evaluation, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA; Department of Nutrition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA; Institute of Policy Research and Evaluation, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA; Institute of Policy Research and Evaluation, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1989-02
Published:
USA: Baltimore, MD : Williams and Wilkins
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 90 Document Number: C06442
11 pages, Changes occurring in the Extension environment include that of climate. Reduced and sporadic rainfall is among the effects of climate change and variability with consequent negative effects on food production. Smallholder agriculture in most developing countries world-wide, including South Africa, is largely rain-fed. Extension agents, therefore, need to constantly improve their capabilities to remain useful to farming communities. The purpose of the paper is to determine Extension agents' climate variability coping competencies required to effectively support smallholder crop farmers' production. The study adopted a multi-stage random sampling approach to site and respondents' selection. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data in 2014 from smallholder crop farmers in four municipalities of Limpopo province. Information was also collected from Extension managers and field-level extension agents of the Limpopo Department of Agriculture by means of questionnaires. The most popular climate variability coping strategy promoted by most extension agents was conservation agriculture. Small yield differences between Extension service-recipients and non-recipients indicate that Extension support has minimal effect on farmers' production. Agents need new competencies regarding correct application conservation agriculture. The study recommends the involvement of extension agents, scientists and farmers in adaptive trials for effective implementation of conservation agricultural practices to improve crop yields.
6 pages, Despite the huge potential for milk production, interventions to improve productivity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are barely based on specified farm classifications. This study aimed to develop robust and context-specific farm typologies to guide content of extension farm advice/services in Uganda. From a sample of 482 dairy farmers, we collected data on farmer socio-demographics, farm management practices, ownership of farm tools and facilities, willingness to pay for extension services, milk production, and marketing. Farm typologies were obtained based on principal component and cluster analyses. Thereby, of the three dairy production systems that emerged, small-scale, largely subsistence yet extensive and low productive farms were more prominent (82.6%). Farms that were classified as large-scale, less commercialized yet extensive with modest productive systems were more than the medium-scale commercial farms with intensive and highly productive systems. However, the later were considered to potentially transform dairy farming in Uganda. It was also predicted that the validity of our farm classification may persist until half of the farms have moved between clusters. The study gives new insights on dairy production systems in Uganda, which can be used to organize more targeted research on farmers’ extension needs for facilitating delivery of relevant and effective extension services and designing appropriate extension policies
Conference paper / journal article, The paper focused on COVID-19 pandemic, its implication on the Nigeria agriculture and the role of extension. The review uncovered a subtle but undeniable negative impact on all the value chain of the Nigeria agriculture. One of the most important factors that may avert this negative impact is agricultural extension service. With lockdown, travel ban and social distancing, the way out becomes technology. Government and institutions at all levels should intentionally deploy technology tools to aid effective agricultural extension service to farmers.
