6 pages., (Special Issue from the 17th International Nitrogen Workshop), Via online Journal, Substantial improvements of agricultural systems are necessary to meet the future requirements of humanity.
However, current agricultural knowledge and information systems are generally not well suited to meet the
necessary improvements in productivity and sustainability. For more effective application of research output,
research producers and research consumers should not be considered as separate individuals in the knowledge
chain but as collaborating partners creating synergy. The current paper investigates the relationships between
scientists and stakeholders and identifies approaches to increase the effectiveness of their communication.
On-farm research has proven to be an effective means of improving exploitation of research output at farm level
because it connects all relevant partners in the process. Furthermore, pilot farms can act as an effective platform
for communication and dissemination. Regional networks of pilot farms should be established and connected
across regions
19 pages., ISSN: 2168-3565 (Print)
2168-3573 (Online), Via online journal, Biodiversity conservation outside designated protected areas remains challenging in South Africa, where 80% of the biodiversity resources occur on private and communal lands. This applies to the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, which is the focus of this study. Landholders logically choose agricultural production ahead of conservation, which they often perform using non-ecological methods. Extension is well positioned to promote ecological agriculture, but its current contribution is unknown. This study examined the role of extension in ecological agriculture in KZN by investigating extension’s promotion of ecological agriculture among smallholder farmers and the factors impacting their employment of ecologically compatible practices. Data was collected through semistructured interviews with 44 respondents, comprising 5 provincial biodiversity conservation practitioners, 1 national biodiversity conservation manager, and 1 national and 4 provincial agricultural extension managers, selected by purposive sampling; as well as 25 extension officers and 8 farmers, selected by convenience sampling. The study found that extension mainly engages in technology transfer and distribution of production inputs, which poses challenges to biodiversity conservation. Extension shows little concern for biodiversity, and effectively promotes its degradation. Four sets of factors impacting extension’s capacity to promote ecological agriculture emerged: household/community-level, governmental, extension management, and ecological factors. Key among these were inadequate involvement of youth and men in agriculture; inadequate household production resources; poor collaboration and coordination between extension and biodiversity conservation institutions; top-down extension intervention; poor extension management and delivery capacities; and irregular and inadequate rainfall, as well as droughts and flooding. The study concluded that there is a need for a clearly articulated extension and biodiversity conservation policy supporting appropriate linkages and better coordination and integration of services among extension and biodiversity agencies within the National and Provincial Departments of Agriculture and with farmers; more effective agricultural education in schools; strengthening extension support systems; and creating conducive atmospheres for effective extension.
Achuonjei, Peter Nang (author), Sefa-Dedeh, Samuel (author), and Adovor, Doe (author)
Format:
Proceedings
Publication Date:
2005-05-25
Published:
Ghana
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 150 Document Number: C24336
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
11 pages., via online journal., The study aims at exploring the extent of agricultural information literacy of farmers in the northern region of Bangladesh. Besides the review of relevant literature the study conducts a questionnaire-based survey of 160 farmers working in ten districts in the region. The analysis of the survey shows that farmers need information for various purposes of agricultural activities, and they use different sources and media for access to such information. Many of the farmers, however, are not well aware of modern techniques of agriculture, and they occasionally use such techniques for farming. Due to some problems farmers are moderately satisfied in getting agricultural information, and in many cases their satisfaction level is very low. The paper concludes with providing certain recommendations for the improvement of information literacy of the farmers in
Bangladesh.
Allen, Philip Bryan (author / Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN)
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 97 Document Number: C07924
Notes:
abstracted from M.S. thesis, 1993; search through volume, In: Jacquelyn Deeds and Demetria Ford, eds. Summary of Research in Extension (1992-1993). Mississippi State, MS: Department of Agricultural Education and Experimental Statistics, Mississippi State University, July 1994. p. 45
Anandajayasekeram, P. (author / International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Eastern African Economics Program, P.O. Box 25171, Nairobi, Kenya)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1984
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 95 Document Number: C07381
Notes:
INTERPAKS, Mimeographed, 1984. Paper presented at the Farming Systems Research Symposium, Kansas State University, October 7-10, 1984. 20 p., Describes Kenya's restructuring of the research and extension network to meet the needs of the majority of small farmers. In order to improve the extension services the government of Kenya adopted the T and V approach to extension. It also became necessary to re-direct agricultural research towards definite goals, related to national needs rather than the customary disciplinary interests. To make the research process more efficient in generating appropriate recommendations for the target group of farmers, the on-farm research with farming systems perspective (OFR/FSP) has been accepted and will be integrated into the research process in Kenya. The major task is that a strong linkage mechanism is established to make sure the limited research and extension resources are utilized efficiently. Concludes with a discussion of the linkage mechanism that could be established within the existing institutional framework to improve the technology generation and dissemination process.
Ankli, Robert E. (author), Olmstead, Alan L. (author), and Ankli: Associate Professor of Economics, University of Guelph; Olmstead: Professor of Economics, University of California, Davis
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1981
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 66 Document Number: C02568
The International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists (IAALD)
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 102 Document Number: D10897
Notes:
8 pages., IAALD XIIIth World Congress., via IAALD website., Governments have been largely responsible for research and the provision of extension services in Nigeria. The emphasis has been on the transfer of technology, paying little attention to farmer development and communication needs. Recently, the high output of agricultural research has led to a large pool of new agricultural technologies, which are yet to be disseminated to farmers, particularly those in the core rural areas. Therefore this study examined development and information need of the resource poor and the strategy adopted to meet these needs, using „town crier‟ as a case study. The study identified 2 states in south west, Nigeria, based on literature/past studies, where this concept has been adopted. A focused group discussion technique and interview schedule was adopted for data collection. The study identified 141 „town criers‟ across the study areas through the help of key informants. Results shown all Town Criers are male, average age of 55.54 years and all have postsecondary education. Town Crier primarily source of information is from the traditional-head. Main information disseminated by the Town Crier bothers on security of the town and community development and projects. The study concluded that this channel rarely meets the information need of the people, as the study revealed that only 20% of such information meets these needs. Past studies have documented that information/communication channels in Nigeria such as extension institution has collapse, there is no effective communication channels in the country again. The small number of extension officers that exists, only congregate at the urban towns, leaving behind those at the rural areas. Thus, the use of town criers in this regards can be used effectively to fill this gap and can also be trained on basic extension work.
Ashby, Jacqueline A. (author), Garcia, Teresa (author), Guerrero, Maria del Pilar (author), and Cali, Colombia : CIAT (Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical), 1993. 129 p.
Format:
Book
Publication Date:
1993
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 99 Document Number: C08400
Awa, Njoku E. (author), Van Crowder, L., Jr. (author), and Department of Communication Arts, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; Department of Communication Arts, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1978-03
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 42 Document Number: B04922
Batte, Marvin T. (author / Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 98 Document Number: C08040
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection, In: The Information Age: what it means for extension and its constituents. Columbia, MO: Cooperative Extension Service, University of Missouri, 1994. (Proceedings of a North Central Region Extension workshop for marketing and management specialists, May 24-26, 1994, St. Louis, MO.) p. 11-22
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 93 Document Number: C07066
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection, see C07062-C07070, In: W. Rivera and S. Schram (eds.) Agricultural Extension Worldwide. New York : Croom Helm, 1989. p. 137-148
Benson, F.J. (author), Kenkel, P.L. (author), Smith, J.L. (author), and Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Kentucky.
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1990
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 93 Document Number: C06916
Notes:
AGRICOLA IND 91023364, In: Zazueta, Fedro S., ed. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Computers in Agricultural Extension Programs; 1990 January 31 - February 1; Grosvenor Resort Hotel, Disney World Village, Lake Buenavista, FL. Gainesville, FL : Florida Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, [1990]. p. 576-581
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 94 Document Number: C07260
Notes:
sustainability, Gerry Walter, In: W. Jackson, W. Berry and B. Colman (eds.), Meeting the Expectations of the Land. San Francisco: North Point Press, 1984. p. 19-30
Bertaudierre, L. (author) and Petit, J.P. (author)
Format:
Conference paper
Language:
French
Publication Date:
1981
Published:
France
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 95 Document Number: C07437
Notes:
Full Title: Etablissement d'un double courant d'information paysan chercheur a propos d'enquetes sur l'elevage des petits ruminants dans le nord de la Haute-Volta. [Establishing a two-way flow of information between farmer and researcher in connection with surveys on the breeding of small ruminants in the northern part of Upper Volta.], INTERPAKS, Paris, France: Institut d'Elevage et de Medecine Veterinaire de Pays Tropicaux, 1981. (Paper prepared as working document no. 4 for the Workshop on Linkages Between Agricultural Research and Farmers in Developing Countries, May 13-14, 1981, Paris, France, sponsored by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.) 4 p., Describes the development of a methodology for establishing a two-way flow of information between small farmers and researchers, mainly to communicate to researchers the farmers' needs and requests. The approach uses investigators, many from the health services, who were given one week's prior training by the researchers. The researchers periodically checked the information collected by joining them on field trips. The data collected were processed by computer. The resulting system insured two-way flow of information linking local staff and researchers with regular transfer of information. Includes the complete questionnaire used in the project.
Bhaskaran, C. (author), Menon, A.G.G. (author), Sushama, N.P. Kumari (author), and Agricultural Extension Department, College of Agriculture, Vellayami, Kerala, India
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1981-06
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 98 Document Number: C08072
Binswanger, Hans P. (author) and Ryan, J.G. (author)
Format:
Conference proceedings
Publication Date:
1980
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 103 Document Number: C08880
Notes:
In V. Kumble (Ed.), Proceedings of the International Symposium on Development and Transfer of Technology for Rainfed Agriculture and the SAT farmer, 28 August - 1 September 1979 (pp. 121-129). Patancheru,Andhra Pradesh, India: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.
Blackburn, Donald J. (author), Flaherty, Joan (author), and Blackburn: Professor, Department of Rural Studies, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Canada; Flaherty: Adult Training Consultant and Editor
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C07355
Notes:
sustainability, See C07353 for original, In: Donald J. Blackburn (ed.) Extension Handbook: Processes and Practices, 2nd edition, 1994. Toronto, Canada: Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc. p. 8-17
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 38 Document Number: B04177
Notes:
Abstract only
James F. Evans Collection, In: Charles A. McCue, ed. Proceedings of the 47th annual convention of the Association of Land-grant Colleges and Universities, Chicago, IL, November 13-15, 1933. Burlington, VT: Free Press, 1933. p. 121-122.
INTERPAKS, Presents the prominent components of the training and visit extension system and describes the first experiences in African countries. The critical gleaned from the first experience are: the selection of the contact farmer and his capability to assist actively in conveying messages to other farmers; motivation of extension staff, who may have a higher workload than before; qualifications to train field staff supervisors and subject-matter specialists; transport facilities for staff; availability of new research results; and a firm government commitment to implement the system. The system appears to be adaptable to different farming conditions, provided the pace of introduction is not too fast, and evaluation takes place right from the beginning. Suggest the T & V system may not be suitable for agricultural systems at very high and very low development levels.
16 pages., via online journal., Organic farming is knowledge intensive. To support farmers in improving yields and organic agriculture systems, there is a need to improve how knowledge is shared. There is an established culture of sharing ideas, successes and failures in farming. The internet and information technologies open-up new opportunities for knowledge exchange involving farmers, researchers, advisors and other practitioners. The OK-Net Arable brought together practitioners from regional Farmer Innovation Groups across Europe in a multi-actor project to explore how online knowledge exchange could be improved. Feedback from the groups was obtained for 35 ‘tools’, defined as end-user materials, such as technical guides, videos and websites informing about practices in organic agriculture. The groups also selected one practice to test on farms, sharing their experiences with others through workshops, exchange visits and through videos. Farmers valued the same key elements in face-to-face exchanges (workshops and visits) as in online materials. These were the opportunity for visual observation, deeper understanding of the context in which a practice was being tried and details about what worked and what did not work. Videos, decision support tools and social media can provide useful mechanisms for taking knowledge exchange online, enabling farmers and researchers to share experiences and practical implications. Visual information, economics, details of the context, successes and failures were considered to be critical factors in good knowledge exchange tools. Online platforms and forums should not be expected to replace but rather to complement face to face knowledge exchange in improving organic farming.
Box. L. (author), Van Dusseldorp, D.B.W.M. (author), and Department of Sociology of Rural Development, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1990-12
Published:
Netherlands
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 94 Document Number: C07182
Briese, Lee Galen (author) and The University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Format:
Dissertation
Publication Date:
2019
Published:
Ann Arbor: ProQuest
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 18 Document Number: D10472
Notes:
81 pages., ISBN: 9781392073537, Via ProQuest Dissertations and Theses., Agronomy is not simply the selling of agricultural products to farmers, nor is it the process of solving singular production problems. Agronomy is defined as the integrated, holistic perspective of agriculture (ASA, 2019) and “agronomists are specialists in crop and soil sciences, as well as ecology” (ASA, 2019). While scientific investigation and discovery are essential to understanding systems function, the tangible benefits from our knowledge stems from the application to solve problems. Clear communication is vital to successfully help stakeholders understand the importance of the science and help scientists understand the challenges stakeholders face. However, to successfully put science into action, solutions need to address the whole system and strategies need to be customized. To this end it is critical to be able to detect, accurately diagnose and prioritize the problems and challenges within agricultural systems. These steps cannot be carried out remotely or by those who lack the skills or knowledge. Rather, they must be performed by well-trained, experienced people who can translate information into actionable practices. Furthermore, stakeholders need to trust that the advice is accurate and applicable to their system, hence the important role of the trusted adviser. The trusted adviser is someone with the knowledge and skills to assess the entire system, access to scientists and full comprehension of the research. They also must understand the needs and challenges faced by the stakeholder farmers and gain their trust. These trusted advisers play a pivotal role in the capability of agriculture to respond to climate change, population increase and establishing sustainable systems. Our future depends not only on the discovery of scientific knowledge but more so on the application of it. What good are the solutions if no one ever uses them?
The following document was written to address communication challenges discovered during an internship working with university extension specialists to deliver programming to farmers and directly advising university researchers on practical challenges that farmers face. These on-farm barriers often prevent farmers from adopting new practices. It is also the culmination of twenty years of field experience serving farmers by scouting, identifying, prioritizing, problem solving, communicating, compromising and building trust. This document is intended to urge all practitioners of agronomy and the related agricultural sciences to become trusted advisers, elevate their practice to a new level and approach the challenges of agriculture from a systems point of view. They also need to create actionable strategies not only to protect crop yields but also to protect the soil, the environment, the ecosystem and the wellbeing of the farmer and of everyone who partakes of the bounty.
13 pages, via online journal, In recent years there has been a great deal of interest in farming systems research (FSR) as a means of getting formal research and extension systems to work with and respond to the needs of resource-poor farmers. However, the results of many FSR programmes have been disappointing. This paper reviews a number of ‘successful’ FSR activities and argues that the development and use of research approaches and methods cannot be separated from the political, economic and institutional context in which they were developed and used. A closer examination of some of the new FSR methods shows that an understanding of the specific context in which these activities were developed and used is essential to understanding the potential relevance of the methods/approaches to other circumstances. A lack of an historical perspective concerning the source and advocacy of new FSR approaches and methods is one of the reasons why many FSR programmes in the past have given rise to disappointing results.
Briscoe, Charles Buford (author / Winrock International, Arlington, VA)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1990
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 88 Document Number: C06019
Notes:
In: Haugen, Christine; Medema, Lee; and Lantican, Celso B., eds. Multipurpose tree species research for small farms : strategies and methods : proceedings of an international conference held November 20-23, 1989 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Arlington, VA : Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development, 1990. p. 173-174
Brown, R. (author), Hooks, C. (author), Ugarte, C. (author), Silsby, O. (author), Weinman, J. (author), Fernandez, G. (author), Foxwell, J. (author), Newton, N. (author), and Barbara Connelly, L. (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
unknown
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C26903
Bruening, Thomas H. (author), Radhakrishna, Rama B. (author), Rollins, Timothy J. (author), and Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1991
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 87 Document Number: C05928
Bu Zhong (author), Fan Yang (author), Yen-Lin Chen (author), and College of Communication, Pennsylvania State University
Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, College of Agricultural Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2015
Published:
Elsevier
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 16 Document Number: D10462
10 pages., Via online journal., Agricultural extension systems often fail due to inadequate knowledge of farmers’ information needs and sharing strategies. This study aims to meet an urgent need of studying information needs and sharing strategies among vegetable farmers and vendors in Chengdu, China, whose results might be used in building a center of agricultural information disseminating vegetable production and marketing information. The findings disclose interesting differences between the farmers and vendors regarding their willingness to join such a center, information needs, sharing strategies and preferred information sources. Ample evidences justify the construction of the proposed center of agricultural information, which should not only empower the vegetable farmers and vendors but also enhance the efficiency of the existing vegetable supply chain and food security. Cross-discipline research involving both agriculture and communication scholars, like this, should shed more insights on working out strategies to cope with agricultural challenges.
Buccola, J.T. (author), Orden, D. (author), and University of Minnesota, Dept. of Agricultural and Applied Economics.; University of Minnesota, Dept. of Agricultural and Applied Economics.
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1980
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 52 Document Number: C00632
9 pages, via online journal, The overall willingness of smallholder farmers to adopt new green technologies remains low, in spite of the great progress made in understanding the factors that affect their decision. The present study introduces an interdisciplinary approach combining positive psychology and sustainable development studies to show that two personal resources – self-control (a learned repertoire of goal-directed skills that enable people to act upon their aims) and cognitive goal-oriented hope (the ability to follow different routes to pursue one's goal), prompt the adoption of technologies by smallholder farmers. Both personal resources facilitate achieving future goals and changing existing circumstances. A theoretical moderation model on the adoption of agricultural technologies aimed to protect soil degradation in Nepal is proposed and empirically tested. Data were collected from 268 households in the Jhapa district by a face-to-face questionnaire. A multiple regression analysis tested and confirmed the hypothesized moderation model. Following the discovery of a significant interaction, the nature of the interaction was farther explored by calculating simple slopes. Analysis results show a significant positive connection between self-control (p-value = 0.002), hope (p-value = 0.005), information (p-value < 0.001), and technology adoption. Self-control was also found to have a significant moderating effect in enhancing a positive association between receiving information and technology adoption (p-value = 0.017). In addition to its theoretical innovation and empirical contribution, the importance of this study lies in its practical implications, given that policy, education, and communication may influence hope and self-control levels.
Reisner, INTERPAKS, Information flow among research and extension organizations has traditionally been portrayed as emanating from the research system. An alternative perspective of information flow in the research and extension system expands the number of participants in the model to include farmers, agribusiness people, legislators, government officials, and scientists. This perspective adds three dimensions previously neglected: the researcher is seen as producing research in response to demands of clients; it is recognized that some clients have more access to the research system than others; diffusion is seen largely as giving certain clients what they initially requested. This perspective is illustrated by the information flows that must take place in sorghum research.
Byrnes, Francis C. (author / International Agricultural Development Service) and International Agricultural Development Service
Format:
Research paper
Publication Date:
1978
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 46 Document Number: B05586
Notes:
Francis C. Byrnes Collection, Presentation to summer program, The Economics Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA. August 2, 1978. 36 p.
33 pages, This study used an in-depth interview and information horizon maps to investigate information seeking behavior of 15 farmers in Central Taiwan. The results show that increased work roles led to more categories of information needed by farmers. Six types of information sources were used by farmers to obtain agricultural information. Interpersonal network was the most preferred information source by farmers. Especially, most farmers contacted other farmers first. Requesting agricultural organizations and farmer groups was the second preferred information source, followed by searching the Internet. Few farmers obtained information from libraries. Several factors affected farmers to select information sources. In addition, barriers to seeking agricultural information faced by farmers were identified. To strengthen the effect of agricultural information dissemination, some suggestions were made. Government agencies related to agriculture should focus the greatest influence of interpersonal network on disseminating agriculture information and improve the communication between agricultural extension agents and farmers. The content and time of agricultural courses were set based on farmers' needs. Improving farmers' information literacy is an essential issue as well.
30 pages., via online journal., In this article we present and discuss two experiments designed to test the effectiveness of the Internet as a tool of agricultural information. Subjects were cotton producers from Thessaly, Greece. Findings suggest that, in the early stages of an innovation diffusion process, the Internet is more effective than social sources (Experiment 1). However, when urgent situations that force quick decisions occur (Experiment 2), the Internet is significantly less effective than face-to-face communication channels. In both cases, farmers who used the Internet spent more time and devoted extra effort. The experiments proved that agronomists remain the most effective information source. Results also illustrate that Internet adoption is not necessarily synonymous with its use.
10pgs, Conservation agriculture-based sustainable intensification (CASI) is gaining prominence as an agricultural pathway to poverty reduction and enhancement of sustainable food systems among government and development actors in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) of South Asia. Despite substantial investment in research and extension programs and a growing understanding of the agronomic, economic and labor-saving benefits of CASI, uptake remains limited. This study explores farmer experiences and perspectives to establish why farmers choose not to implement CASI systems despite a strong body of recent scientific evidence establishing the benefits of them doing so. Through thematic coding of semi-structured interviews, key constraints are identified, which establishes a narrative that current households' resources are insufficient to enable practice change, alongside limited supporting structures for resource supplementation. Such issues create a dependency on subsidies and outside support, a situation that is likely to impact any farming system change given the low-risk profiles of farmers and their limited resource base. This paper hence sets out broad implications for creating change in smallholder farming systems in order to promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies in resource-poor smallholder contexts, especially with regard to breaking the profound poverty cycles that smallholder farmers find themselves in and which are unlikely to be broken by the current set of technologies promoted to them.
Chizari, Mohammad (author) and Movahedi, Reza (author)
Format:
Proceedings
Publication Date:
2005-05-25
Published:
Iran
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 150 Document Number: C24332
Journal Title Details:
21
Notes:
James J. Connors of The Ohio State University edited the proceedings., 9 p. Paper presented at the International Agricultural and Extension Education group's 21st annual conference May 25-31, 2005, in San Antonio, TX
Choudhary, B.N. (author), Prasad, C. (author), and District Training Officer, Pusa, Bihar, India; Assistant Director, General Education, I.C.A.R., New Delhi, India
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1977-04
Published:
India: The Fertiliser Association of India, New Delhi, India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 42 Document Number: B04914
Christiansen, M.K. (author), Donohue, George A. (author), Fienup, D.F. (author), Jensen, H.R. (author), Routhe, H.G. (author), and University of Minnesota}University of Minnesota}University of Minnesota}University of Minnesota}University of Minnesota
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
1963
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 46 Document Number: B05646
Notes:
P. Tichenor. Special Report No. 10. Agricultural Extension service, University of Minnesota. 6 p.
This paper describes the rationale for a change from conventional extension towards participatory innovation development and extension. The "Conservation Tillage Project" and the "Food Security Project" developed such an approach and have embarked on institutionalisation of this approach into the agricultural extension service in Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe. Dialogue with farmers, farmer experimentation and the strengthening ofself-organisational capacities of rural communities are the major elements to improve development and spreading of innovations, thus the efficiency of extension. The new approach requires a role change of agricultural extension workers from teacher to facilitator as well as appropriate methods and tools. Elements of "Training for Transformation" and Participatory Rural Appraisal(PRA) were tested and developed and were found to be effective tools. The strategy to institutionalise participatory extension is based on joining efforts and networking with other organisations, a campaign to familiarise institutional staff and a training and follow-up programme for staff in the framework of organisational development. The experiences show that the attitudinal change required to implement participatory approaches is highly depended on personalities. To have an impact on the change of attitudes a continuous medium-term training process with a close follow-up is required. The paper concludes that institutionalisation of participatory approaches into hierarchically structured organisations is a highly complex intervention. In order to besuccessful, major changes in planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation procedures are required. Changes of that nature require a process of at least 5 to 10 years and high commitment on the side of institutional staff on all levels and donors as well.
Coombs, Philip H. (author / International Council for Educational Development, Essex, CT, USA) and International Council for Educational Development, Essex, CT, USA
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1974
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 43 Document Number: B05167
Cross, Timothy L. (author), Dobbins, Craig L. (author), Fuller, Earl I. (author), and King, Robert P. (author)
Format:
Guide
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 94 Document Number: C07180
Notes:
James F. Evans Collection, St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Minnesota, 1994. 38 p. (Station Bulletin 604-1994; North Central Regional Research Publication 337).
Cummings, Ralph W., Jr. (author / Agricultural Economist, Rockefeller Foundation) and Agricultural Economist, Rockefeller Foundation
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1981
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 80 Document Number: C04616
Notes:
INTERPAKS, In: Workshop on Linkages Between Agricultural Research and Farmers in Developing Countries; 1981 May 13-14. New York, NY : Rockefeller Foundation, 1981. 25 p., Begins with an overview of the technology development process which includes 3 principal action agents: a) the research service, b) the extension service, and c) the farmers. Points out the significant influence the service institutions and government policies have on the process. Delineates some of the weaknesses seen in the effectiveness of the various types of agents and points out the key variables in the technology development process. Raises the issues that need resolution for better linkages between agricultural research systems and the farmer. Outlines some objectives to be pursued in accelerating agricultural development. Points out the information needed on agro-climatic conditions, social and cultural characteristics, institutional and infrastructural development programs. Presents strategies for technology development through discussion of the interrelated components of generation, assessment and diffusion. Discusses the role organizations play in the process and the need to identify alternative means of implementation. Concludes with a section on the implications for assistance from donor agencies.
Darkey, D.K.G. (author / Lincoln College, New Zealand)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1982
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 104 Document Number: C09040
Notes:
FAO Economic and Social Development Series No. 26. 1982 Training for Agriculture and Rural Development. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome 1983. 7-13.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 199 Document Number: D09928
Notes:
NCR-90 Collection, From Document D09924, "Department of agricultural journalism University of Wisconsin-Madison: Faculty and graduate student research, 1990". Pages 5-6.
28 pages., via online journal., The purpose of this paper is to understand how Bangladeshi farmers interact with
mobile telephony and how they negotiate the resulting difficulties. In doing so the paper
identifies how farmers integrate mobile telephony into their daily lives and what factors
facilitate and limit their use of mobile telephony
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 150 Document Number: C24333
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
Doster, D. Howard (author), Musser, Wesley G. (author), Ortmann, Gerald F. (author), Patrick, George F. (author), and Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN; Agricultural Economics, University of Natal, South Africa; Agricultural Economics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA; Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1993
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 94 Document Number: C07237
