23 Pgs., Information and Communication Technology is a potent force in the developing world for social, economic and educational transformation of individuals, agencies and institutions. This study examined the veritable roles of ICT in empowering rural women farmers in Rivers State. The specific objectives were to examine the demographic characteristics of the respondents, identify ICT devices in use by the respondents; information needs of the respondents, the roles of ICTs in rural women empowerment and constraints to the use of ICT devices by the respondents. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from respondents and oral interview where necessary. The respondents were 120 rural women farmers purposively selected from the farmers list obtained from the ADP (Agricultural Development Project) Office in the Area. The results indicate that 54.2% of the respondents are married, 57.5% with secondary education, 52.5% hold a farm size of 0.25 – 1 hectare of land. ICT devices in use include mobile phones, television, radio and other devices. They need information on inputs, prices, markets, produce demand, new practices and technologies. ICT play various roles in empowering the women such as offering entrepreneurial opportunity, breaking isolation, providing linkages to inputs and markets, assisting small and medium size business, reducing poverty, and illiteracy and improving income and savings of rural women. The problems affecting use of ICT devices include absence and erratic supply of electricity, lack of ICT skills, low level of awareness etc. Government should provide basic amenities to the rural dwellers to improve their socio-economic well-being.
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
Acker, David G. (author / Iowa State University) and Tritz, Julie A. (author / Iowa State University)
Format:
Proceedings
Publication Date:
1999-03-23
Published:
Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 138 Document Number: C20992
Notes:
Burton Swanson Collection, 7 pages, Session K, from "1999 conference proceedings -- Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education", 15th Annual Conference, 21-24 March 1999, Port of Spain, Trinidad, 25-26, Tobago
28 pages, We analyse gender differences in the response of smallholder farmers to droughts, taking the duration and severity of the even t into account. Using a novel weather shock measure that combines spatial rainfall data with detailed cropping calendars, survey data from Uganda and standard econometric techniques, we find that adverse weather events provide an opportunity for women to enter the commercial crop market by allocating land from subsistence to income generating crops. This counterintuitive pattern is, in part, explained by the greater propensity of men to allocate time to non-agricultural activities in the event of weather shocks.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 192 Document Number: D03290
Notes:
Online via Ovid.com. Abstract of dissertation from Florida State University. 1 page., Found differences in information sources based on gender, farm size and farm enterprise (i.e., crops and livestock).
8 pages, gender, women, extension systems, acces, cell phones, farmers, Nepal (Southern Asia), India (Southern Asia), COVID-19 induced lockdowns have had far reaching impacts on the rural sector, particularly on women farmers. These impacts have been exacerbated by lack of access to reliable and timely agriculture information. Using panel phone survey data from India and Nepal, we study how women's access to agricultural extension was impacted by the lockdowns and its effect on agricultural productivity. We find that women's already low access to formal extension was reduced further, leading to an increased reliance on informal social networks. In both countries, nearly 50% farmers reported negative impacts on productivity due to inaccessibility of information during the lockdown. In India, we find that access to formal extension is mediated by crop type, geographic location and caste identity. We discuss ways in which extension systems in India and Nepal can be made more inclusive and resilient to future crisis, including by adapting group and community-based approaches to post-pandemic best practices.
"It is fundamentally wrong to take sex sides in any situation, for goodness and badness - intelligence and moronity - are not distributed on the basis of man and woman. It is the individual who counts…"
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 178 Document Number: C30728
Notes:
Paper presented at Tropentag 2010, Conference on International Research on Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development, Zurich, Switzerland, September 14-16, 2010. 1 page.
International: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D00338
Notes:
Kerry Byrnes Collection, Pages 85-102 in Proceedings of the Farming Systems Research and Extension Symposium hosted by the University of Arkansas and Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development, Fayetteville, Arkansas, October 9-12, 1988. Farming Systems Research Paper Series, Paper No. 17. 395 pages.
USA: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: KerryByrnes1 Document Number: D01305
Notes:
Kerry J. Byrnes Collection, pages 85-102 in Proceedings of Farming Systems Research/Extension Symposium hosted by the University of Arkansas and Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development, Fayetteville, Arkansas, October 9-12, 1988. Farming Systems Research Paper Series,Paper No. 17. 395 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C19382
Notes:
Burton Swanson Collection, 183 pages; Selected papers and speeches from the Association for Women in Development Conference April 25-27, 1985 Washington, D.C.
Attwood, Gillian (author), Castle, Jane (author), and Smythe, Suzanne (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2004
Published:
Lesotho: Routledge, London, England
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C37092
Notes:
See C37085 for original, Pages 139-158 in Anna Robinson-Pant (ed.), Women, literacy and development: alternative perspectives. Routledge, London, England. Routledge Studies in Literacy. 259 pages., REFLECT - Regenerated Freirean Literacy through Emplowering Community Techniques. Combines the work of the Brazilian educator, Paulo Freire, and the participatory development methodology known as Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA).
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C17055
Notes:
Pages 127-149 in Jan Servaes, Thomas L. Jacobson and Shirley A White (eds.), Participatory communication for social change. Sage Publications, New Delhi. 286 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C12029
Notes:
Pages 13-22 in: Vanessa Scarborough, Scott Killough, Debra A. Johnson and John Farrington (eds.), Farmer-led extension: concepts and practices. Intermediate Technology Publications, Ltd., London. 214 p. The book reports on a 1995 workshop co-organized by the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction, the Overseas Development Institute, and World Neighbors.
Balit, Silvia (author) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.
Format:
Report
Publication Date:
1999
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 150 Document Number: C24244
Notes:
Retrieved May 5, 2006., 38 pages., Emphasizes the need and potentials for giving a voice to rural women in development. Presents case examples involving varied channels for communicating, from traditional media to new electronic technologies.
Barcellos, Gilsa Helena (author) and Ferreira, Simone Batista (author)
Format:
Book
Publication Date:
2008-02
Published:
Uruguay: World Rainforest Movement
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C27801
Notes:
Posted online at http://http://www.wrm.org.uy/countries/Brazil/Book_Women.pdf, 59 pp., Impacts of eucalyptus monocultures on indigenous and Quilombola women in the State of Espirito Santo.
15 pages, online journal article, Purpose: This paper examines the attitudes and perceptions of Irish adolescents towards potential careers in dairy farming within the context of generational renewal for a dynamic agri-food sector.
Design/methodology/approach: The lens of occupational choice theory was used to present a framework within which potential careers are considered. A questionnaire-survey was undertaken with 490 Irish adolescents (15–18 yrs).
Findings: While parents have the greatest influence on the career choices of adolescents, there was a positive correlation between studying agricultural science in school and considering an agricultural related career. Adolescent's attitudes towards careers in dairy farming were subject to perceptions about gender, farm ownership, potential income and work-life balance. There was a high degree of openness to gaining work experience on dairy farms.
Practical implications: With an increased interest in agricultural science in second level schools in Ireland, the findings point to opportunities to influence awareness and attitudes of adolescents and their parents about career possibilities in dairy farming and to encourage both familial and non-familiar generational renewal.
Theoretical implications: The paper contributes an understanding of career choices and aspirations in adolescence to add to the growing body of literature on generational renewal in farming.
Originality/value: This paper focuses specifically on dairy farming, providing more detailed information about adolescents’ perceptions of dairy farming careers. The study highlights the positive relationship between studying agricultural science in school and subsequent interest in agricultural related careers. The results indicate that generation renewal in agriculture can be enhanced by giving increased attention to agriculture in school curricula.
17 pages, In developing countries, agriculture plays a vital role in reducing poverty and enhancing food security. In Sunamganj, Bangladesh, rural women significantly contribute to agriculture but face gender disparities and limited access to resources. Green cooperatives provide a promising model to empower these women through sustainable practices and economic support. This study explores the roles and impacts of green cooperatives on rural women entrepreneurs in Sunamganj, focusing on factors influencing their involvement, the benefits, and constraints they face, and changes in empowerment before and after joining cooperatives. This study was conducted across five upazilas in Sunamganj, the sampled 200 women entrepreneurs-100 cooperative members and 100 non-members using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data was gathered via interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions (FGDs) and analyzed with SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify key influencing factors and the Problems Confrontation Index (PCI) was utilized to assess the severity of challenges faced by members. The findings reveal that green cooperatives enhance women’s socio-economic status through improved production, market access, financial stability, and decision-making roles. Education, credit access, input availability, training, and experience were key drivers of the cooperative engagement of rural women entrepreneurs. However, challenges like male dominance, limited training, transportation issues, labor shortages, and market information gaps persist. Despite these, women in green cooperatives benefit from fixed pricing for organic products, increased bargaining power, and timely access to inputs and training. The study highlights the need for improved education, continuous training, extension services, high-quality inputs, and better infrastructure to support women’s participation further. The insights provided aim to guide policymakers in developing supportive policies that enhance the impact of green cooperatives, address gender-specific challenges, and promote the use of digital tools for market access. Future research should explore longitudinal studies and regional comparisons for deeper insights into rural women’s empowerment.
10 pages, Online via UI Library electronic subscription. Open access., "This paper re-affirms that women make essential contributions to agriculture and rural enterprises across the developing world. But there is much diversity in women's roles and over-generalization undermines policy relevance and planning."
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C37089
Notes:
See C37085 for original, Pages 68-84 in Anna Robinson-Pant (ed.), Women, literacy and development: alternative perspectives. Routledge, London, England. Routledge Studies in Literacy. 259 pages.
Bharamappanavara, S.C. (author) and Hanisch, M. (author)
Format:
Abstract
Publication Date:
2010-09-14
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 178 Document Number: C30724
Notes:
Paper presented at Tropentag 2010, Conference on International Research on Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development, Zurich, Switzerland, September 14-16, 2010. 1 page.
Bhowmik, Sharit (author) and Patel, Meena (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1996
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D00563
Notes:
Pages 143-164 in Marilyn Carr, Martha Chen and Renana Jhabvala (eds.) Speaking out: women's economic empowerment in South Asia. Intermediate Technology Publications, London, UK. On behalf of Aga Khan Foundation Canada and United Nations Development Fund for Women. 238 pages.
20 pages., Via online journal., Agricultural technology continues to evolve to meet the demands of a growing world, but previous advancements in agricultural technology have been met with resistance. Improved science communication efforts can assist in bridging the gap between expert and lay opinion to improve reception of scientific information. Using the framework of the heuristic model of persuasion, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of emphasizing elements of source credibility – trustworthiness and expertise – and the gender of the source on perceptions of source credibility. A sample of 122 undergraduate students were exposed to one of the four possible developed message treatments. Data collection took place in a laboratory setting using an online instrument that had a randomly-assigned stimulus research design. The results indicated the treatment conditions had higher mean scores for source credibility than the control. Further inferential analysis, however, showed the differences to be non-significant. One significant finding showed the gender of the source can influence perceptions of credibility. This suggests merit in using female sources when presenting scientific information to the Millennial population. While choosing credible sources to present information is important, more research is needed regarding the effect of emphasizing various credibility components and the role of source gender on perceptions of source credibility.
Blau, Francine D. (author) and Ferber, Marianne A. (author)
Format:
Working paper
Publication Date:
1990-09
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 114 Document Number: D11014
Notes:
32 pages., National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) Working Paper No. 3447., Broad overview of women's economic status in countries around the world. It examined specifically such important issues as labor force participation, occupational segregation, earnings, education, and the amount of time spent on housework.
The demographics of incoming university animal science majors have shifted from students with a farm background to urban students with no history of direct livestock contact. Research completed before the Internet was a central source of information indicated that incoming urban students tend to express no opinion or a neutral opinion regarding livestock agriculture issues. Due to the changing background of incoming students enrolled in introductory university-level animal science classes, we sought to determine 1) if livestock background (self-identified as raised in a farm or urban setting), sex, or animal science career interest influenced the opinions of incoming students regarding critical issues involving livestock farming practices and 2) if 15 wk of introductory animal science instruction changed student opinions. A total of 224 students were given 2 identical anonymous surveys (start and end of 15 wk) with 5 demographic questions and 9 animal issue statements. For each statement, students marked their opinion by placing a vertical line on a continuous 130 mm horizontal line, where a vertical line placed at 0 mm = strongly agree and 130 mm = strongly disagree. Data were analyzed by ANOVA to determine any significant effects of instruction, background, sex, and future career preference on survey responses. Before instruction, urban students were less agreeable than farm students that animal farming was moral and humane and that farmers are concerned about animal welfare and livestock are of value to society (P ≤ 0.05). Urban students were more likely than farm students to purchase organic foods or food based on environmental/welfare standards (P ≤ 0.05). Introductory animal science instruction resulted in students becoming more agreeable that animal farming was humane, farmers are concerned about animal welfare, and animal agriculture is a value to society (P ≤ 0.05). Postinstruction, students were more likely to buy food products based on price (P ≤ 0.05). Males found farm practices more humane than females (P ≤ 0.05), but sex differences were not evident for other questions. Future professional career plans did not affect student opinions. Data showed that incoming urban students tend to be more neutral with regards to animal farming issues, and introductory animal science instruction fosters a more agreeable attitude towards animal farming practices, especially in students with urban backgrounds.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D00550
Notes:
Pages 1-15 in Bettina M. Bock and Sally Shortall (eds.) Rural gender relations: issues and case studies. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK. 374 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D00565
Notes:
Pages 401-412 in Caroline B. Brettell and Carolyn F.Sargent (eds.), Gender in cross-cultural perspective. Fifth edition. Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. 578 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C37114
Notes:
See C37113 for original, Pages 255-267 in Kenneth B. Beesley, Hugh Millward, Brian Iilbery and Lisa Harrington (eds.), The new countryside: geographic perspectives on rural change. Brandon University (Rural Development Institute) and Saint Mary's University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. 490 pages.
14 pages., his paper evaluates the effect of the Rural Capacity Building Project (RCBP),
which aimed at promoting growth by strengthening the agricultural service systems
in Ethiopia, and by making them more responsive to smallholders’ needs, in particular women farmers. We examine the gender-differentiated impact of the RCBP
using panel data on 1,485 geographically dispersed households in project and control
kebeles. We find that women farmers’ access and satisfaction with extension services
increased significantly immediately after the start of the project, but that effect did
not last into the medium term. The project led to an increase in the adoption of high-
value crop farming, area of land cultivated, and economic participation of household
members, benefiting male- and female-headed households equally. Results point to
the positive impact of incorporating women’s needs and constraints in the design of
the agricultural extension system. However, the project was not able to reduce the
preexisting gender gap in agricultural outcomes.
Burfisher, M. E. (author) and Horenstein, N. R. (author)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1983
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 103 Document Number: C08933
Notes:
B. L. Green shields & M. A. Bellamy (Eds.), Rural development: growth and inequity, contributed papers read at the 18th International Conference of Agricultural Economics. Aldershot, Hants, England: Gower. 161-165.