Capacity building for gender‐sensitive agricultural extension planning in Ethiopia     

Rachel Percy 《The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension》2013,19(1):21-30

Abstract

This article concerns capacity building for gender‐sensitive agricultural extension planning in a two‐year FAO pilot project at the Ministry of Agriculture of Ethiopia. The aim of the paper is to review and analyse the capacity‐building process, drawing out the lessons learned, regarding both ‘best practice’ and challenges faced. The author was engaged fully in the project for its two‐years duration and this study is a reflection of that experience. The project involved training extension staff in both participatory rural appraisal and gender analysis to ensure more client‐oriented extension planning. It is concluded that the use of the experiential learning cycle in capacity building, the reliance on participatory management and implementation styles, networking and the mainstreaming of the project within the Extension Department constitute ‘best practice’. Four challenges to the project's success are reviewed. They are, the difficulty of institutionalising the process within the short time‐scale of the project, the necessity of involving policy‐makers at all stages and levels, the need to raise gender awareness amongst rural men and women and the importance of addressing women's lack of decision‐making power.  相似文献   

Advisory work as assistance in problem-solving — Problem-solving models as basic concepts for advisory work     

Volker Hoffmann  Angelika Thomas 《The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension》2013,19(2):61-73

Abstract

This article summarises some basic concepts of advisory work, incorporated into novel forms of extension over the past half century at Hohenheim University, Stuttgart, Germany. It emphasis a certain understanding of advisory work: as support through “mental help” in structuring and restructuring by informing, motivating and enabling. Through exercises given in the article one can get the idea that problem situations are determined by one's own lack of insight and difficulties in breaking through the limitations of perceptions. The concept presented here in “stages of systematic problem-solving” starts with the perception of a problem by the client. The further critical steps are described within this process from perception of a problem towards solutions and evaluation of results. Two other models that are useful in thinking about problem-solving are also presented. Advisors should value them and be able to make use of them in a flexible way.  相似文献   

Validating farmers' indigenous social networks for local seed supply in central rift valley of Ethiopia     

A. Deressa 《The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension》2013,19(4):245-254

Abstract

The information on farmers' indigenous social networks in local seed systems is based on a case study undertaken in the central rift valley of Ethiopia. Farmers' indigenous social networks (social relation, locally developed seed exchange methods and local institutions) are presented as leverage mechanisms for the survival of local seed systems. A farmer decision to acquire seeds is discussed as an act of making a choice between whether to obtain a new germplasm/maintain old ones (genetic diversity management) or a search for renewable physical input (seed) or to take advantage of each merit in specific situations. This clearly underscores the need to value the individual merit of a seed before putting in place any type of variety selection, seed multiplication or extension programs. Analysis of the case study leads to the conclusion that the government imposed extension program should focus on institutional transformation of farmers' indigenous social networks in order to validate the complementary role of local seed systems in the development of a national seed industry.  相似文献   

Book review     

A.W. van den Ban 《The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension》2013,19(3):179-180

Miteinander Reden: Kommunikationspsychologie für Führungskräfte (Talking with another: Communication psychology for leaders). by F. Schulz von Thun, J. Ruppel and R. Stratmann (2000), Reinbek, RoRoRo Sachbuch 60687, ISBN 3 499 60687 9, DM 16.90.  相似文献   

Challenges to Institutionalizing Participatory Extension: The Case of Farmer Livestock Schools in Vietnam     

Thai Thi Minh  Carl Erik Schou Larsen  Andreas Neef 《The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension》2013,19(2):179-194

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this article is to analyze the introduction of participatory extension approaches (PEA) in the predominantly supply-driven, hierarchical Vietnamese extension system. Drawing on the case of the so-called Farmer Livestock School (FLS) concept, the authors investigate the potential and challenges of scaling up and out the FLS/PEA principles of participatory training methods, encompassing intensive and interactive training sessions, group-based sharing of experience, practical learning, and learning-by-doing processes.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The article is based on data collected and synthesized from 36 pilot communes from 2000 to 2007 and draws on the extensive insider experience of two of its authors during their work for a DANIDA-funded livestock project.

Findings: At the micro-scale and with external support, FLS has been a successful experiment of using participatory extension approaches in farmer training and extension in the livestock sector. Yet, possibilities of scaling up and institutionalizing FLS remain a challenge given the capacity and resource limitations and the resistance at various levels within the Vietnamese extension system.

Practical Implications: The starting point for successfully institutionalizing participatory extension approaches should be to assess the existing system's root problems and capacities and then gradually and systematically introduce institutional innovations rather than aiming at a complete overhaul of a system that may result in the creation of a parallel universe.

Originality/Value: The FLS project provided a unique opportunity to study the enabling and constraining factors of institutionalizing participatory extension approaches in a traditionally top-down oriented extension system beyond the immediate duration of an externally orchestrated project.  相似文献   

Rural Knowledge and Information Systems for Non-Agricultural Rural Needs     

William M. Rivera 《The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension》2013,19(1):17-23

Abstract

As developing countries gradually rely less upon agriculture for rural income, rural economies require new solutions to access knowledge and information systems for rural development. Non-agricultural rural knowledge and information systems can play a significant role in developing and disseminating successful strategies to escape rural poverty. This paper discusses the challenges of developing rural knowledge and information systems, practical and vital in facilitating rural development in the 21st century.  相似文献   

Constraints Affecting ICT Utilization by Agricultural Extension Officers in the Niger Delta,Nigeria     

I.A. Akpabio  D.P. Okon  E.B. Inyang 《The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension》2013,19(4):263-272

Abstract

The study focused on constraints affecting the utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for agricultural extension activities by Agricultural Extension Officers in Nigeria's Niger Delta Region. Data were derived from 160 extension officers affiliated to both public and private extension organizations in four states of the Niger Delta. Findings revealed important specific constraints to include: poor ICT infrastructure development, high cost of broadcast equipment, high charges for radio/television presentations, high cost of access/interconnectivity and electricity power problems. The use of Factor Analysis aided to crystallize identified constraints into three factors of ‘poor enabling environment’, ‘lack of access’ and ‘dissemination of unrelated information’. Against the background of several national government initiatives to develop the infrastructure base of the country, recommendations are proffered to ameliorate ICT use constraints.  相似文献   

The Role of Agricultural Consultants in New Zealand in Environmental Extension     

Neels Botha  Jeff Coutts  Hein Roth 《The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension》2013,19(2):125-138

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand the role that agricultural consultants in New Zealand were undertaking in the Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) system—and in particular in relation to environmental extension. New Zealand does not have a public extension service and hence there is a strong reliance on consultants and regional councils for environmental management information and advice. As they are independent of the formal RD&E system there is no guarantee that RD&E outcomes are reaching farmers, nor that effective environmental extension is occurring. The study used a combination of case studies, phone interviews with informed persons and a national web survey to explore the role of the consultant. The study found that agricultural consultants are playing an important role in working with farmers to improve agricultural production. There are, however, indications that gaps have developed over time between agricultural consultants and the agricultural research sector which limit the effectiveness of the RD&E system. Agricultural consultants are playing a minimal role in proactive environmental extension because insufficient market forces are driving this role. The paper suggests that a national database of agricultural consultants could improve the flow of tailored information between research and agricultural consultants and also suggests mechanisms where consultants could be better integrated into the RD&E system and provide feedback to research programs. Market failure in the area of environmental extension could be addressed by publicly funded incentive programs.  相似文献   

Factors Influencing Access to Integrated Soil Fertility Management Information and Knowledge and its Uptake among Smallholder Farmers in Zimbabwe     

T. Gwandu  P. Mapfumo  T.C. Mashavave  R. Chikowo  H. Nezomba 《The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension》2013,19(1):79-93

Abstract

Purpose: The study evaluated how farmer acquisition, sharing and use patterns of information and knowledge interact with different socioeconomic factors to influence integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technology uptake.

Design/methodology/approach: The study was conducted as part of an evaluation of field-based farmer learning approaches introduced by SOFECSA in Zimbabwe. Building on emerging farmer interactive platforms, data were collected using farmer participatory research approaches.

Findings: Over 90% of the farmers identified the national extension agents as the farmers' most preferred and reliable sources of information on ISFM, with farmer-to-farmer interactions ranking second. Non-governmental organisations and the print media emerged as the least trusted sources of agricultural technical information. Field-based learning centres, which enabled interactive evaluation of different ISFM options, constituted ~50%, indicating that they were major platforms for information and knowledge sharing. Uptake of ISFM was influenced by farmer resource group and farmers' visits to learning centres. Farmer experience and access to extension services were, in turn, the major factors influencing farmers' use of ISFM information. Approaches that support farmer-to-farmer interactions are required and learning centres are a suitable platform for such interactions to occur.

Practical implications: The article brings to attention the role of learning centres in fostering adoption of ISFM technologies. Insights on the need to support and strengthen agricultural extension in rural smallholder communities are provided.

Originality/value: This is a unique study exploring the role of farmer-oriented information and knowledge management in promoting complex technologies such as ISFM. A new dimension on the demands of new approaches for information dissemination to enhance knowledge sharing is presented.  相似文献   

Scaling-up Sustainable Land Management Practices through the Concept of the Rural Resource Centre: Reconciling Farmers' Interests with Research Agendas     

Takoutsing Bertin  Tchoundjeu Zacharie  Degrande Ann  Asaah Ebenezar  Tsobeng Alain 《The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension》2013,19(5):463-483

Abstract

Purpose: Formal agricultural research has generated vast amount of knowledge and fundamental insights on land management, but their low adoption has been attributed to the use of public extension approach. This research aims to address whether and how full participation of farmers through the concept of Rural Resource Centre (RRC) provides new insights for the development of alternative and farmers-based extension methods.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Using the Concept of RRC, this research assesses the role of farmers in on-farm demonstrations and scaling-up of land management practices, and investigates effective ways to enhance beneficial interactions between researchers, extension workers and farmers in view of improving adoption.

Findings: The findings suggest that farmers can effectively participate in demonstrations and scaling-up of agricultural practices. This participation is enhanced by judicious incentives such as higher crop yields that motivate farmers and influence adoption. The current success of the approach stems from the fact that farmers, extension workers and researchers jointly implement the activities and their different aims were achieved simultaneously: scientific results for researchers, better agricultural practices for extension workers, and economic success and free choice for farmers.

Practical implications: This research concludes that farmers have the capacities to play an innermost role in demonstrations and scaling-up of agricultural practices. However, there is a need to build and strengthen their capacities to facilitate their participation and contribution.

Originality/Value: The article demonstrates the value of the preponderant role of farmers in on-farm demonstrations and scaling-up practices by exhibiting the beneficial interactions between researchers, extension workers and farmers.  相似文献