18 pages, This paper presents the findings of challenges facing Zimbabwe’s extension services and how these have affected the adoption of technologies they render to small-scale farmers. This study uses a critical review of relevant literature on Zimbabwe’s primary public extension agency (AGRITEX). Additionally, 21 key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to corroborate data collected in secondary research on extension approaches currently in use, the key factors affecting technology adoption, and the technology adoption process of small-scale farmers. The study found AGRITEX’s major challenges to be poor funding, poor remuneration and incentives for extension personnel, lack of in-service training, lack of appropriate technology, as well as poor operational resources like transport to reach all farmers. Consequently, services offered to small-scale farmers were compromised, which led to poor adoption of recommended technologies. Furthermore, the study determined that key factors influencing technology adoption are related to the farmers’ circumstances, the operating environment, and the attributes of technology itself. As a lasting solution to poor technology adoption, an adaptive extension system that promotes building the capacity of extension workers and researchers, as well as embracing farmers and their indigenous knowledge, is proposed
53 pages., The study was design to investigate the information needs and resources utilization of rice farmers in Anyiin, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria.. The study adopted descriptive research design. The population of the study comprises rice farmers in Anyiin, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. The sample size of 70 rice farmers was drawn from the population using simple random sampling technique. A self-design questionnaire was used as instrument of data collection. Frequency counts and percentages were used to analyzed the collected data. The findings of the study indicated that, rice farmers need information. The study also indicated that, the information resources needed by rice farmers in Anyiin are journals and pamphlets. The findings of the study showed that, the sources of information used by rice farmers in the area under study are extension services, research institutes and public library. The study also showed that, the rice farmers need information to get improved varieties, modern farm technology, market location, agricultural loan and credit facilities. The information needs of the rice farmers under study are not being satisfied. The study showed that, the rice farmers are faced with the problem of high cost of information resources, inadequate funds and high level of illiteracy. The study concluded that a great number of rice farmers encountered difficulties in utilizing information resources to meet up their information needs. This is either because, most of the information resources are not adequately provided. The study recommended amongst others that, Government should organize and provide agricultural workshops for farmers. This is because, through this workshops and conferences, farmers will be trained on modern farming technique which in will help improve their farmer produces.
Gordon Bilney (author / Minister for Development Cooperation and Pacific Island Affairs, Australia)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1993
Published:
International
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 96 Document Number: C07677
Notes:
Evans; winner, Golden ARC award 1994; see C07676 for original; sustainability, Theodore Hutchcroft Collection, In: Food comes first for Asia. Parkville, Australia: Crawford Fund for International Agricultural Research, 1993. (Proceedings of Australia-IRRI Day, 16 April, 1993). p. 3-12.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 95 Document Number: C07487
Notes:
cited reference, In: The role of extension services in national development. Lusaka, Zambia: National Council for Scientific Research, May 1984. p. 19-25
Singh, Baldeo (author), Singh, Daulat (author), and Division of Agricultural Extension and Training, U. P. Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Kanpur; Division of Agricultural Extension and Training, U. P. Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Kanpur
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1974
Published:
India
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 43 Document Number: B05161
