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    1. Climate variability and change as perceived by rural communities in Swaziland

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Manyatsi, A.M. (author), Mhazo, N. (author), and Masarirambi, M.T. (author)
    Format:
    Journal article
    Publication Date:
    2010-07-10
    Published:
    Swaziland
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 158 Document Number: D07576
    Journal Title:
    Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences
    Journal Title Details:
    2 (3): 164-169

    3. Factors affecting performance of agricultural extension: evidence from Democratic Republic of Congo

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Ragasa, Catherina (author), Ulimwengo, John (author), Randriamamonjy, Josee (author), Badibanga, Thaddee (author), and International Food Policy Research Institution Washington, DC office Western and Central Africa Regional Office
    Format:
    Online journal article
    Publication Date:
    2016-04
    Published:
    Netherlands: Taylor and Francis
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 108 Document Number: D10953
    Journal Title:
    Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
    Journal Title Details:
    22(2) : 113-143
    Notes:
    32 pages, via online journal article, Purpose: As part of the institutional reforms and agricultural restructuring in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this paper provides an assessment of the performance of the agricultural extension system as well as factors explaining it. Method: This paper involves key informants’ interviews and surveys of 107 extension organizations and 162 extension agents in randomly selected 156 villages, analyzed using qualitative and logistic regression methods. Findings and Practical Implications: Results show that despite having one of the highest extension agent-to-farmer ratio and a pluralistic extension system, DRC fails to deliver knowledge and technologies to rural areas due to lack of coordination, no unified and clear policy and mandate, lack of funding, aging and low competencies of agents, and lack of mobility and interactions of agents with key actors. This paper complements findings by other studies that number of agents is not a sufficient indication of performance, but an effective system needs to focus on the enabling environment for agents to be motivated to work as mandated. In this paper, enabling conditions that are found to be statistically significant are external funding, enforcement of performance targets, systems of rewards and sanctions, mobility to foster linkages, and skills development. Originality: This paper contributes by: (1) analyzing a cross-section of various organizations and agents to identify factors that explain variations in performance in a statistical and systematic approach; (2) providing insights on how to prioritize investments and options for a fragile state like DRC, with weak infrastructure and institutional capacity and with a long history of neglect for their national extension system; and (3) illustrating how a rich and well-cited conceptual framework can be implemented empirically to provide policy options for a country like DRC.

    4. Factors influencing rural women cassava processors' perceived intention to participate in an agricultural extension education program

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Ojomo, C. (author / Agricultural Education, Ohio State University)
    Format:
    Report
    Publication Date:
    1994
    Published:
    USA
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 97 Document Number: C07949
    Notes:
    abstracted form Ph.D. dissertation, 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. 124

    5. Farmer perceptions of tunnels for berry production: management and marketing implications

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Conner, David S. (author) and Demchak, Kathleen (author)
    Format:
    Journal article
    Publication Date:
    2018-12
    Published:
    United States: American Society for Horticultural Science
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 11 Document Number: D10323
    Journal Title:
    HortTechnology
    Journal Title Details:
    28(6) : 706-710
    Notes:
    6 pages., Via online journal., Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) and caneberries (Rubus sp.) are popular crops that can bring revenue to farms and may improve farm profitability. High and low tunnels can bring a number of benefits to growers, including season extension and improved berry yield and quality, as well as management challenges. Few studies in the literature report directly on grower experiences using tunnels. We report the results of interviews of 10 independent growers who use tunnels to produce strawberries and caneberries. The results echo previous studies finding improved yield and quality, and highlight benefits and challenges around pest, weed, and nutrient management. One novel finding is the role of season extension in creating marketing opportunities. Interviewed growers caution of a learning curve and the need to start on a small scale and grow gradually. Future focus for research should include improved ventilation and mechanization.

    8. Improving Biosecurity through Instructional Crisis Communication: Lessons Learned from the PEDv Outbreak

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Sellnow, Timothy L. (author), Parker, Jason S. (author), Sellnow, Deanna D. (author), Littlefield, Robert (author), Helsel, Emily M. (author), Getchell, Morgan C. (author), Smith, Julia M. (author), Merrill, Scott C. (author), and University of Central Florida The Ohio State University Morehead State University University of Vermont
    Format:
    Online journal article
    Publication Date:
    2017
    Published:
    United States: New Prairie Press
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 4 Document Number: D10178
    Journal Title:
    Journal of Applied Communications
    Journal Title Details:
    101(4)
    Notes:
    17 pages., Via online journal article., Crises, by their nature, demand effectively designed and quickly delivered instructional messages that compel stakeholders to take appropriate actions to protect themselves and their assets. The challenges of crisis communication are intensified in crises involving unanticipated and relatively unknown disease outbreaks with the potential to spread exponentially. This study assesses the communication challenges and opportunities in such volatile crises through an analysis of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) outbreak that severely threatened the United States pork industry in 2013 and 2014. Interviews were conducted with 13 individuals directly involved in developing and distributing risk and crisis biosecurity messages during the PEDv outbreak. Participants were selected based on affiliation with the National Pork Board, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, university extension, or their swine industry expertise. Four generalizable implications emerged: 1) the advantage of maintaining flexibility in crisis communication planning; 2) the value of audience analysis and message adaptation; 3) the importance of understanding not only what to do, but also why the recommended actions are essential; and 4) the utility of risk/crisis communication and education both prior to and during a crisis event.

    9. Is agricultural intensification a growing health concern? perceptions from waste management stakeholders in vietnam

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Veidt, Julia (author), Lam, Steven (author), Nguyen-Viet, Hung (author), Tuyet-Hanh, Tran T. (author), and Nguyen-Mai, Huong (author)
    Format:
    Online journal article
    Publication Date:
    2018
    Published:
    United States: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 197 Document Number: D10417
    Journal Title:
    Sustainability
    Journal Title Details:
    10(12)
    Notes:
    13 pages., Article 4395, via online journal, This article characterizes the health risk perceptions toward excreta and wastewater management practices among waste management stakeholders in Vietnam and explores the implications of such perceptions on hygiene behaviors and preventative actions. Key informant interviews (n = 19; 12 women and 7 men) were conducted with farmers, community leaders, researchers, and government representatives in Hanoi and Ha Nam Province. Interviews were audio-recorded with permission, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparative method and qualitative thematic analysis. Researchers and government representatives perceived that the lack of knowledge of safe waste management practices among farmers was responsible for the use of “outdated” and often “unsafe” waste management practices. However, many farmers were aware of the health risks and safe hygienic practices but felt that safety measures were impractical and viewed susceptibility to diseases as low risk. Farmers also identified unfavorable climate and working conditions, limited financial capacity, and limited farm space as barriers to adopting safe management practices. At the broader level, inadequate communication between ministries often led to the creation of inconsistent waste management regulations. These barriers create constraints on efforts to improve sustainable waste management practices. Promoting collaboration between sectors, encouraging farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing, and designing and implementing risk communication strategies that account for risk perceptions of stakeholders are recommended.