PROBLEMS IN THE EXTENSION WORK AND FARMERS’ NEEDS IN SERBIA

In the paper, the authors analyse problems in the extension work and farmers’ needs on the basis of the empirical sociological survey that comprised attitudes of all the agricultural extension workers in Serbia. The survey has been conducted by the authors during 2008 in all of the extension offices in Serbia using the semi-structured questionnaire. The analysis reveals the regional specifics of the farmers’ needs and the problems that the advisors face in daily work, as well. According to the survey results there are three types of problems that are mutually connected: 1. general crisis of the agricultural sector, 2. problems regarding characteristics of farm holdings and farmers population in Serbia and 3. problems that are related to extension organization. Farmers’ needs analysis points to four dominant needs of farmers in Serbia: 1. farm management, 2. help in establishment of farmers’ cooperatives, 3. plant protection and 4. information and advice regarding the agricultural policy.Agricultural extension, Problems in extension work, Farmers’ needs, Agribusiness, Farm Management, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Biological reproduction of family farms: From the rural gender regime perspective

Depopulation and ageing are long-lasting problems of Serbian rural areas. In terms of demographic self-renewal of rural areas, especially family farms, the issue of resource base for biological reproduction is of great importance. Quantity and quality of resource base are determined by the characteristics of rural social vitality as well as rural gender regime. Thus, factors of women`s participation in biological reproduction of family farms have been analyzed. The analysis was based on a sample of 1,096 family farms in Vojvodina. Vojvodina is considered relevenat for the analysis due to the significant rural depopulation and ageing. The results have confirmed concept of rural gender regimes to be an adequate scheme to explore the basic characteristics of the women`s participation in biological reproduction on family farms. Bio-demographic and socio-cultural factors have stronger impact on women`s participation in biological reproduction than than socio-economic ones. Mariage is proven to be the most significant predictor of women`s participation in biological reproduction, regardlesly to farm type. Also, results have proven nuptiality and fertility postponement among women living on family farms. It can be concluded that women`s participation in biological reproduction of family farms occurs under the influence of partially modified rural gender regime.</jats:p

Citizens' participation in local environmental protection system

Changes in theoretical approach but also practice of planning environmental protection brought forth the issue of citizens? participation. Active citizens? participation is particularly stressed at the local environmental protection system because local community is considered as a framework of citizens? everyday life. At the same, capacity for citizens? participation is determined by interactions of three factors: a) general social conditions, b) characteristics of environmental protection system and c) characteristics of citizens? environmental awareness. The analysis, based on the results of the empirical research, is focused on role of citizens as social actors in environmental protection system at the local community level (city of Novi Sad). The research starts from the premise that although there is an elementary citizens? environmental awareness, its manifest dimension is not well developed primarily due to the to lack of tradition in political participation, but also inadequate cooperation with relevant institutions within the system, as well as hierarchy of everyday life problems that citizens have to deal with that, for the most of them, do not leave enough space and motives for the engagement of this kind. The purpose of this paper is to depict factors that stimulate or inhibit needs and capacities for citizens? participation within the processes of defining, decision making and implementation of decisions important for environmental protection.</jats:p

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ADVISORY PROCESS IN THE WORK WITH SELECTED FARMS IN VOJVODINA

In the paper authors analyse some of the characteristics of the advisory process on the selected farms in Vojvodina. By emphasising the extension as a process, authors wish to underline the necessity of proper understanding of complex social relations that surround and cause such processes and, within which, these relations are generated, as well. Authors’ analysis stands within the theoretical-hypothetical frame of the recent contributions of the extension science. Analysed data stem from the systematic notes of agricultural advisors of the Agricultural Extension Service of Vojvodina that, in a pretty clear way, represent a live reflexion of their work and everyday relations with farmers/selected farms in Vojvodina

TECHNICAL WORK BASIS AS FACTOR OF AGRICULTURAL FARMS MODERNIZATION IN VOJVODINA

Agricultural machinery is one aspect, but also indicator of the level of agricultural modernization. The use of agricultural machinery in the working process is a result of the development in science and techniques, but, at the same time, one of the factors of agricultural production improvement. The paper focuses on the analysis of the basic characteristics of agricultural machinery on farms in Vojvodina, as well as on farmers` problems in machinery use and maintenance

INTERNAL FACTORS OF AGRICULTURAL MODERNIZATION ON SELECTED FARMS IN VOJVODINA

Focus groups in the work of Agricultural extension service of Vojvodina are selected farms. Such farms have significant internal potentials for production improvement and their owners and other members show interest in cooperation with extension agents who provide help and савете in resolving problems on the household. Paper is focused on the analysis some of the general characteristics of the selected farms in Vojvodina: human capital, land use and technical base for production. Analysis is based on data collected in the Chart of selected farm as an integral part of System of information in agricultural extension of Vojvodina. General characteristics of the selected farms are regarded as determinating factors of internal potentials for modernization of work

EXTENSION METHODS IN IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURE ON RURAL FARMS IN VOJVODINA

Improvement of production on agricultural farms as an extension goal, in fact, implies change in attitudes, opinions as well as farmers behaviour. Such changes are achievable through the process of adoptation of new knowledge, technologies and know-hows which enable farmer to solve problems of agricultural production. Extension agent has a task to facilitate such process. As a basic mechanism of diffusion of needed knowledge and know-hows is use of extension methods. The paper focuses on work of extension agents in Agricultural Extension Service of Autonomus Province of Vojvodina. Data for the analysis are collected by Extension service Typology from July 2007. to December 2008. The aim of the paper is to indicate the importance of complementary use of extension methods

PROBLEMS IN THE EXTENSION WORK AND FARMERS’ NEEDS IN SERBIA

In the paper, the authors analyse problems in the extension work and farmers’ needs on the basis of the empirical sociological survey that comprised attitudes of all the agricultural extension workers in Serbia. The survey has been conducted by the authors during 2008 in all of the extension offices in Serbia using the semi-structured questionnaire. The analysis reveals the regional specifics of the farmers’ needs and the problems that the advisors face in daily work, as well. According to the survey results there are three types of problems that are mutually connected: 1. general crisis of the agricultural sector, 2. problems regarding characteristics of farm holdings and farmers population in Serbia and 3. problems that are related to extension organization. Farmers’ needs analysis points to four dominant needs of farmers in Serbia: 1. farm management, 2. help in establishment of farmers’ cooperatives, 3. plant protection and 4. information and advice regarding the agricultural policy

Socio-demographic profile of juvenile delinquent in Serbia

In this paper, there are analyzed data on socio-demographic characteristics of juvenile delinquents in Serbia. The evidence of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia have been used for this purpose. The reference period for the analysis is between 2005, after the adoption of the new Law on Juvenile Offenders (2005) and 2016. The analysis is based on two research questions: a) what the socio-demographic characteristics of juvenile delinquents are and b) whether the observed characteristics change within the analyzed period. Based on identified characteristics, the aim of the analysis is to point out the possible factors that shape the juvenile delinquency, its features and change in contemporary Serbian society. The analysis has shown: a) previously observed oscillating trend in total number of cases of juvenile delinquency, b) low ratio of juvenile delinquents in total number of offenders with the modest tendency of increase during the analyzed period and c) moderate changes towards diversity of offenses. According to the data, typical juvenile offender is male, with no formal elementary education and often a dropout. Among convicted, one third lives in single-parent families. Observed typical characteristics do not necessarily cause juvenile delinquency among youngsters but may have a warning effect, especially if they act simultaneously, superposing mutual impacts and generating new risks.</jats:p