EXTENSION-2000 A.D.- COMMENTS

Views future changes in Extension and lists suggestions for Extension marketing workers to improve their position.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Multi-round Master-Worker Computing: a Repeated Game Approach

We consider a computing system where a master processor assigns tasks for execution to worker processors through the Internet. We model the workers decision of whether to comply (compute the task) or not (return a bogus result to save the computation cost) as a mixed extension of a strategic game among workers. That is, we assume that workers are rational in a game-theoretic sense, and that they randomize their strategic choice. Workers are assigned multiple tasks in subsequent rounds. We model the system as an infinitely repeated game of the mixed extension of the strategic game. In each round, the master decides stochastically whether to accept the answer of the majority or verify the answers received, at some cost. Incentives and/or penalties are applied to workers accordingly. Under the above framework, we study the conditions in which the master can reliably obtain tasks results, exploiting that the repeated games model captures the effect of long-term interaction. That is, workers take into account that their behavior in one computation will have an effect on the behavior of other workers in the future. Indeed, should a worker be found to deviate from some agreed strategic choice, the remaining workers would change their own strategy to penalize the deviator. Hence, being rational, workers do not deviate. We identify analytically the parameter conditions to induce a desired worker behavior, and we evaluate experi- mentally the mechanisms derived from such conditions. We also compare the performance of our mechanisms with a previously known multi-round mechanism based on reinforcement learning.Comment: 21 pages, 3 figure

Pemanfaatan Internet dalam Meningkatkan Kinerja Penyuluh Pertanian di Kabupaten Cianjur

As the science and technology have developed rapidly, as well as current globalization, farmer\u27s needs are increasingly diverse nowadays. Therefore, extension workers are required to develop their abilities according to current conditions and challenges. But in reality the competencies of extension workers was still low. The low competence of extension workers resulted in low performance as well. It was influenced by the lack of training that has been held for extension workers. Based on this point, it is necessary to improve the performance of extension workers, utilizing the internet media can be an answer which is very rapidly growing at this time. This study analyzed: 1) the level of internet media utilization, 2) factors influencing internet utilization, and 3) the effect of internet utilization on extension worker performance. Field research conducted in January-March 2017 in Cianjur Regency. The sample of research were 26 government extension workers and 74 contract-based extension workers. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Multiple Linear Regression) was used for analytical method. The results showed that the use of internet by extension workers was moderate, especially for the preparation of reports, the design of extension methods, preparation of “programma” and design extension method. The result of the analysis showed that factors influencing internet USAge were age, formal education, internet perception, duration, and diversity of accessed internet media. Performance of extension-workers to increase internet utilization effectively is needed for increase information and insight to be applied to farmers. As the science and technology have developed rapidly, as well as current globalization, farmer\u27s needs are increasingly diverse nowadays. Therefore, extension workers are required to develop their abilities according to current conditions and challenges. But in reality the competencies of extension workers was still low. The low competence of extension workers resulted in low performance as well. It was influenced by the lack of training that has been held for extension workers. Based on this point, it is necessary to improve the performance of extension workers, utilizing the internet media can be an answer which is very rapidly growing at this time. This study analyzed: 1) the level of internet media utilization, 2) factors influencing internet utilization, and 3) the effect of internet utilization on extension worker performance. Field research conducted in January-March 2017 in Cianjur Regency. The sample of research were 26 government extension workers and 74 contract-based extension workers. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Multiple Linear Regression) was used for analytical method. The results showed that the use of internet by extension workers was moderate, especially for the preparation of reports, the design of extension methods, preparation of “programma” and design extension method. The result of the analysis showed that factors influencing internet USAge were age, formal education, internet perception, duration, and diversity of accessed internet media. Performance of extension-workers to increase internet utilization effectively is needed for increase information and insight to be applied to farmers

Information Needs and Challenges of Agricultural Researchers and Extension Workers in Edo State, Nigeria

This study investigated information needs and challenges of agricultural researchers and extension workers in Edo State, Nigeria. Proportionate sampling technique was used to select 106 respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The majority (71.6 %) of respondents indicated their need for information with respect to climate change and adaptation measures (71.6 %). Extension workers communicated more with agricultural researchers monthly (77.5 %). Lack of office-wide internet connectivity (2.06±1.08), unstable power supply (2.05±1.07), and non-subscription to relevant online resources by employer (2.05±1.07) inhibited respondents from meeting their information needs. The study recommends that to enhance knowledge sharing among researchers and extension workers, there is need for research institutes and state government to develop electronic repositories for their research outputs as this will further help other agricultural stakeholders to access local contents immediately

Hubungan Kompetensi Penyuluh Dengan Karakteristik Pribadi, Persepsi Penyuluh Terhadap Dukungan Kelembagaan Dan Persepsi Penyuluh Terhadap Sifat Inovasi Cyber Extensión

EnglishCyber extension may empower agricultural extension workers through preparation of timely and relevant agricultural information in supporting decision making process to deliver information to the farmers. Many factors affect use of information technology. This study aims to analyze correlation among the extension workers' characteristics and perceptions towards institutional support with the extension workers' perceptions of innovation nature and the extension workers' competence in cyber extension use. The research uses the Spearman rank correlation (rs) for the analysis. Locations of study were carried out in the Regencies of Kuningan and Bekasi, West Java Province. Data were collected from October to December 2012.The results show that the extension workers' competence in using cyber extension have significant correlation with the extension workers' characteristic, i.e. age variable (rs = 0.114*). Perception on cyber extension innovation nature has a significant correlation with the extension workers' perception on the institutional support (rs = 0.371**). Competence in using cyber extension has a significant correlation with the extension workers' perceptions on institutional support (rs=0.19**). It is necessary to conduct some activities, i.e., mapping of agricultural extension workers' ability, designing cyber extension training for agricultural extension workers, implementing the field days for cyber extension utilization in Agricultural Extension Centers in regency level, building networks, and improving infrastructure of cyber extension facilities.IndonesianCyber extension dapat meningkatkan keberdayaan penyuluh melalui penyiapan informasi pertanian yang tepat waktu, dan relevan dalam mendukung proses pengambilan keputusan penyuluh, guna penyampaian data dan informasi pertanian kepada petani dan kelompok taninya. Permasalahannya adalah banyak faktor yang memengaruhi dalam pemanfaatan teknologi informasi tersebut, Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara karakteristik penyuluh, persepsi penyuluh terhadap dukungan kelembagaan dengan persepsi penyuluh terhadap sifat inovasi cyber extension dan kompetensi penyuluh dalam pemanfaatan cyber extensión. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif untuk mencari hubungan antar peubah, dengan metode sensus menggunakan korelasi Rank Spearman (rs). Lokasi penelitian Kabupaten Kuningan dan Bekasi, Provinsi Jawa Barat, dan waktu penelitian dilaksanakan bulan Oktober sampai Desember 2012. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan hubungan nyata kompetensi penyuluh dalam pemanfaatan cyber extension dengan karakteristik penyuluh melalui indikator umur (rs= 0,114*). Persepsi penyuluh terhadap sifat inovasi cyber extension mempunyai hubungan nyata dengan persepsi penyuluh terhadap dukungan kelembagaan sebesar (rs= 0,371**). Kompetensi penyuluh dalam pemanfaatan cyber extension mempunyai hubungan nyata dengan persepsi penyuluh terhadap dukungan kelembagaan sebesar (rs= 0,19**). Kesimpulan adalah terdapat hubungan nyata antara karakteristik penyuluh dan persepsi penyuluh terhadap dukungan kelembagaan dengan persepsi penyuluh terhadap sifat inovasi cyber extension, dan terdapat hubungan nyata antara persepsi penyuluh terhadap sifat inovasi dengan kompetensi penyuluh dalam pemanfaatan cyberextension. Terdapat hubungan nyata antara karakteristik penyuluh dan pesepsi penyuluh terhadap dukungan kelembagan dengan kompetensi penyuluh dalam pemanfaatan cyber extension. Saran adalah membuat klasifikasi atau pemetaan terhadap kemampuan penyuluh, merancang pelatihan, membuka hari lapangan pemanfaatan cyber extension di Balai Penyuluhan Pertanian Kecamatan, membangun jejaring kerjasama, dan meningkatkan fasilitasi sarana prasarana cyber extension

Relationships Between Extension Workers' Competencies and Job Performance in Implementing the Good Agricultural Practices Programme in Malaysia

This study sought to determine extension workers' competencies that explain job performance in the case of the Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) Scheme at the Department of Agriculture, Malaysia. Specifically, the study determined extension workers' competency levels in clients' capacity development, SALM Standards, social skills and technology transfer process as independent variables. The study also determined the level of extension workers' job performance as a dependent variable. The study employed stratified random sampling technique. Samples are chosen using a proportional sample allocation. The sample consisted of 21 0 extension workers from the Department of Agriculture in four states of Malaysia, namely Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan and 10hor. Data were collected using a self administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results indicated that more than half of extension workers rated their level of job performance as high. A majority of respondents also rated their competency on leadership development, problem solving and decision making development, social skills, and technology transfer process skills as high. More than half of the respondents indicated high ratings for cultural and SALM program competencies. The finding supported the positive relationship between all competencies and job performance. However, only four competencies were significant in explaining job performance of extension workers. These are competencies on program evaluation, culture of clients, SALM program and social. This study is important as it contributes to the Interdependence Model of Extension by confirming competencies that extension workers need to have in both technical and human development. The findings would also assist policy makers and administrators in increasing the performance of extension workers. The competencies that have been identified in this study can be incorporated into both the pre-service and in-service training of extension workers

Extension worker as a leader to farmers: Influence of extension leadership competencies and organisational commitment on extension workers' performance in Yemen

Agriculture extension primarily deals with human resource development (HRD) and the transfer of technology and knowledge from agricultural research centres to farmers. Improving human resource development (HRD) within rural community is essential for agriculture and community development. Extension workers are professionals in the extension system responsible for developing individuals in the community. Hence, as the profession of extension work continues to expand, it is necessary to identify leadership skills possessed by the agricultural extension workers in order to gauge their performance in the extension system. Therefore, there is a need first to gauge performance of extension workers and a need to determine predictors of performance. This article examined the relationship between leadership competencies and organizational commitment with performance as perceived by the agricultural extension workers and the predictors of performance. The leadership competencies variables and commitment are important attributes of a leader. Data were collected from 290 respondents who were selected based on stratified sampling technique. The stratification was based on highlands, coastal and desert regions. The findings showed that four variables were significantly contributed to the level of extension workers’ performance. The variables are competencies in program implementation, program evaluation and program planning as well as organizational commitment. These predictor variables explain 45.3 % of the variance in the job performance of extension workers. The study suggests that relevant ministry such as the ministry of agriculture should take into account the leadership characteristics of extension workers and how to improve those competencies as well as organizational commitment in order to upgrade their performance in developing rural communities through extension services

Relationships between Extension Competencies, Organisational Commitment and Job Satisfaction with Performance of Agricultural Extension Workers in Yemen

This study aimed to determine the relationships between selected variables, namely extension competencies including human development competencies, leadership development, extension communication methods, programme development, programme implementation and programme evaluation; organisational commitment as well as job satisfaction and job performance of agriculture extension workers. The study also sought to identify the best predictors of job performance of the extension workers. The total population of the extension workers was 1364. The sample size of this study was 300 which were determined by using Cochran's formula (1977). The study used stratified random sampling technique in which 300 respondents from the agriculture extension services organisations in Yemen were chosen. A complete list of agriculture extension workers across the three agriculture regions, namely, coastal, highlands and desert regions was obtained. The research design of this study was a descriptive correlational study. Self-administered questionnaire was used as the research instrument to collect data from the respondents of this study. The quantitative data were analysed by using descriptive statistics such as mean and standards deviations. The parametric statistics such as Pearson correlation, multiple regression analyses, t-test and ANOVA also were used. From the descriptive analysis, the result show that the overall extension workers performance illustrated with mean score (M = 2.88) and standard deviation (SD = 0.69), that more than a half (60.7 %) of the respondents experienced a moderate level of job performance, while 23.8 % of them indicated a low level of performance and 15.5% considered a high level of performance. Furthermore, the findings from parametric analysis indicated that there were significant relationships between the independent variables and job performance of extension workers. The independent variables are as follows: extension programme implementation competencies, extension programme planning competencies, extension programme evaluation competencies, organisational commitment, and job satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify the best predictors of extension workers’ performance. The variables according to descending order are job satisfaction (Beta = 0.431), extension programme planning competencies (Beta = 0.239), extension programme implementation competencies (Beta = 0.147), extension programme evaluation competencies (Beta = 0.145), and organisational commitment (Beta = 0.102). The predictors explained 60.6 % variance (F = 54.008, p = 0.0001) of job performance. The study is important as it would become a platform for future research to consider aspect of performance and its variants. The implementation of human resource development initiatives is very important to consider by the relevant agencies in order to improve extension workers’ competencies and performance. This study also signals the importance of ensuring good and motivated work environment for extension workers for achieving a high performance. Extension services should also realise the various contributors of job performance, some of them are based on the individual factors as found in this study. By knowing these factors, they would be used as inputs in the recruitment, selection and succession planning processes in order to get the right extension workers. This will make extension workers know clearly their duties, tasks, and how to act in rural community. To support the findings of this study in the country, it is recommended that future studies are conducted across employees from other rural development organisations including agricultural and community development organisations by taking into considerations other work behaviour and social factors that might help more to understand the individual performance phenomenon

Organic Cotton Crop Guide - A manual for practitioners in the tropics

Designed primarily as a reference manual for extension workers and farmers, the Organic Cotton Crop Guide provides comprehensive practical know-how on organic cotton production in the tropics. The guide covers all relevant aspects from soil preparation and variety selection over crop nutrition and pest management to the economic performance of organic cotton farming