James F. Evans Collection; See C06647 for original, Avocado producer households were headed by reasonably well educated males, mainly in the productive age groups, two thirds of whom were in employment, with above average rural household incomes. The adoption of critical avocado growing cultural and management practices, as well as knowledge levels of avocado growing were considerably below optimum. There was inadequate contact with research based information sources. Suggestions are made for improving the producer knowledge base by improved communication and extension strategies reinforced by other institutional support (original).
Bembridge, T.J. (author), Tshikolomo, K.S. (author), and Bembridge: Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Fort Hare; Tshikolomo: Lecturer, Madzivhandila Agricultural College, Venda
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1992
Published:
South Africa: Pretoria, South Africa : The South African Society for Agricultural Extension
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 91 Document Number: C06653
James F. Evans Collection; See C06647 for original, Population characteristics typified a culture of rural poverty, with a large proportion of female headed households, low levels of literacy, low incomes, health problems, a general lack of the basic amenities of life, and limited agricultural resources. There was a low level of political orientation and a general distrust of officialdom. Major household decisions concerned basic needs of housing improvement, establishing orchards and purchasing livestock. Interpersonal media was the most frequently used and had the highest credibility in decision making, which included limited research based information. Suggestions are made for strategies to enhance the communication of research based information by working through opinion leaders and strengthening extension directed at sustained rural development (original).