Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C14431
Notes:
Published for the World Bank, Washington, D.C., Chapter 9 in Michael M. Cernea (ed.), Putting people first: sociological variables in rural development. Oxford University Press, New York/London. 430 pages.
Fortmann, L. (author / University of California Dept of Forestry and Natural Resources.) and University of California Dept of Forestry and Natural Resources.
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1985
Published:
UK
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 52 Document Number: C00597
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.
20 pages., Article 97, Via online journal., Multiple factors constrain smallholder agriculture and farmers’ adaptive capacities under changing climates, including access to information to support context appropriate farm decision-making. Current approaches to geographic information dissemination to smallholders, such as the rural extension model, are limited, yet advancements in internet and communication technologies (ICTs) could help augment these processes through the provision of agricultural geographic information (AGI) directly to farmers. We analysed recent ICT initiatives for communicating climate and agriculture-related information to smallholders for improved livelihoods and climate change adaptation. Through the critical analysis of initiatives, we identified opportunities for the success of future AGI developments. We systematically examined 27 AGI initiatives reported in academic and grey literature (e.g., organisational databases). Important factors identified for the success of initiatives include affordability, language(s), community partnerships, user collaboration, high quality and locally-relevant information through low-tech platforms, organisational trust, clear business models, and adaptability. We propose initiatives should be better-targeted to deliver AGI to regions in most need of climate adaptation assistance, including SE Asia, the Pacific, and the Caribbean. Further assessment of the most effective technological approaches is needed. Initiatives should be independently assessed for evaluation of their uptake and success, and local communities should be better-incorporated into the development of AGI initiatives
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C14440
Notes:
Keynote address at a seminar sponsored by the Ghana Rural Reconstruction Movement, June 30-July 3, 1977., Pages 3-10 in John R. Schott (ed.), An experiment in integrated rural development: the Mampong Valley Social Laboratory in Ghana. International Institute of Rural Reconstruction and Ghana Rural Reconstruction Movement. 252 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D07981
Notes:
John L. Woods Collection, MRS #103. Development Training and Communication Planning, UNDP Asia and Pacific Programme, Bangkok, Thailand. 10 pages. Also, article of same title and author in Support Communication for Rural Development Programs, Food and Fertilizer Technology Center, Taiwan, Republic of China, November 1981.
