Farmers’ Satisfaction with Extension Services in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States

The economies of most countries in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are dependent on farming, most of which is done mainly by small farmers in mixed cropping systems. The government is also the main provider of extension services. This study sought to assess farmers’ satisfaction with the extensions services and identify areas for improvement. Some 462 farmers in five OECS countries were selected and surveyed in 2013. A farmers’ satisfaction index was developed based on 26 statements in a Likert-type scale and used as the dependent variable. Data were analyzed using STATA 9 and descriptive frequencies and multiple linear regression results were presented. Results showed that farmers’ overall satisfaction with extension was moderate. Farmers’ age, gender, education level, size of farm, number of parcels farmed, number of extension visits received, and whether farmers operated on a full time or part time basis significantly influenced farmers’ level of satisfaction. Recommendations included: the redefinition of target farmers, as well as the scope of extension programs for intervention to meet these states ‘food security goals; the improvement of the technical capacities of extension officers; the expansion of group development work; and the increased use of ICTs for information dissemination and the provision of ICT hardware for extension staf

Envisioning the Future of Extension and Advisory Services in the Caribbean

Recent efforts have begun to renew collaborative relationships between actors leading extension systems throughout the Caribbean Community. Successful collaborations are built upon a shared vision. This study was conducted to determine the degree to which a shared future vision for extension and advisory services (EAS) existed within CARICOM countries. A qualitative approach was used to investigate the perceptions of EAS directors from nine CARICOM countries. Similar concerns about the future relevance of EAS were expressed. More diversity existed when considering primary stakeholders and delivery methods. The formal adoption of a shared vision for the region and creation of supportive policies are recommende

Determinants of Willingness-to-Pay A Premium Price for Integrated Pest Management Produced Fruits and Vegetables in Trinidad

Overuse of pesticide in crop production poses enormous challenges to the health of farm families, consumers, and the environment. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecosystem approach to crop production that combines different management strategies and practices to grow healthy crops and minimize the use of pesticides. As a result of increasing awareness, education and per capita income, there is an increasing concern for food safety and demand for safe products among consumers of high-income countries. Consequently, this study was conducted among 266 randomly surveyed consumers of an affluent Caribbean country, Trinidad to ascertain the factors influencing consumers Willingness-To-Pay (WTP) a premium price for IPM grown-fruits and vegetables. The consumers responses for the dichotomous question, Would you be Willing to Pay an additional cost of 10% for the IPM produces from the current market prices? were analysed using Binary logit regression model. Results indicated that females ageing over 26 years and having children, those with higher annual income and higher level of education were all most likely to pay a premium to obtain IPM grown fruits and vegetables. Willingness-to-purchase IPM produce was found to increase with income, education and age. The findings of this study are promising to those developing marketing strategies, besides enabling the producers to understand that producing fruits and vegetables through IPM would fetch them premium

An Agricultural Apprenticeship Program for Youth in Trinidad, West Indies: Can it Meet the Caribbean’s Urgent Need for Younger Farmers?

To address the aging farmer population in Trinidad, W.I., a situation common to the Caribbean region, a Youth Apprenticeship Program in Agriculture (YAPA) was initiated. An assessment of its effectiveness was conducted in 2007. Results indicated that present trainees went into agriculture to make “additional” income and for self employment, with “contributing to national food security” being ranked lower. They were generally satisfied with the extent of field work, the experience gained and trainers’ knowledge and skills. However, they would leave agriculture if they received other employment opportunities or if they were not provided with key resources such as land and soft loans. Past YAPA trainees had significantly changed (

Extension Officers’ Perceptions of Farmers’ Groups in Trinidad, West Indies and Implications for Extension

The Government of Trinidad has highlighted its intentions to renew efforts to promote food production through farmers’ groups, in order to meet the country’s food security goals. Previous planned efforts, from the perspectives of farmers, have been largely unsuccessful (Ramdwar, Stoute & Ganpat, 2014). Therefore, this study sought to investigate the dynamics of farmers’ groups in Trinidad, as perceived by the agricultural extension officers who interact with these groups. Ninety-three percent (n = 123) of the extension officers in Trinidad, who interacted with farmers’ groups, were surveyed. The survey instrument included a 22-item perception scale, which collected information on respondents’ perceptions of: (a) politics and conflict within farmers’ groups; (b) member interactions on their trust issues with other members and with their leaders; and (c) the importance of these groups to agricultural productivity. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to identify latent factors on the perception scale. These factors were then used as predictors in a regression model of extension officers’ articulated satisfaction with farmers’ groups. This satisfaction is a reflection of the challenges these officers are presumed to face in their delivery of extension services. This study concluded that extension officers’ perceived level of technical capacity was the most impactful predictor in the regression model of satisfaction with farmers’ groups, followed by issues related to the proper functioning of groups. As such, recommendations include improved training for staff and group leaders, as well as improved monitorin

Trinidad Food Producers’ Training Needs for Food Security and Implications for Extension

The purpose of this study was to explore farmers’ knowledge of food security issues in Trinidad. Such information can be used to develop appropriate extension training interventions. Using a Borich (1980) methodology, a total of 300 agricultural producers in Trinidad were surveyed with an instrument that consisted of two parts: (a) personal demographic and farm related questions, and (b) indicators of knowledge and importance of 27 food security issues derived from The National Food Production Action Plan 2012 – 2015. Overall, the top five issues identified by producers were: (a) the incentive program that is focused on outputs; (b) research and development for both livestock and crop farmers; (c) partnerships between public sector agencies, research institutions, and the private sector to provide suitable capacity to deliver all food production programs; (d) postharvest technologies that create employment opportunities, increase returns to farmers, improve food quality, and ensure food safety; and (e) and technology packages (of information) to help farmers improve yield, quality, and availability. All 27 food security issues varied in at least one of the categories assessed: 22 issues varied by location; 18 issues varied by farm type; 5 issues varied by farming status; and 19 issues varied by education level of the farmer. These results can guide extension programming in Trinidad and also be informative for policy makers

INITIATING SELF-DISCOVERY EXTENSION IN TRINIDAD

An alternative approach to extension education for Pineapple farmers in Tableland, Trinidad was initiated based on constructivist learning principles. Experiential learning and interactive techniques, which facilitated self-discovery, were used to address identified problems in fertilizer use and insufficient soil conservation practices. The objectives of this exercise were to pilot a participatory method and to encourage farmers to change the agronomic practices that they discovered reduced their optimum returns. Traditional technology transfer approaches were not considered appropriate as these farmers were operating profitable enterprises, albeit in an unsustainable manner. Group administered preevaluations, simulation exercises, walk-about on plots and structured discussions were used to guide farmers to identify problems in their production practices and to suggest workable solutions to which they could commit themselves to implement. Farmer involvement and feedback throughout the sessions were high and initial evaluation indicated improved contextual knowledge. This initiative also presented an opportunity to introduce participatory techniques to extension field staff, who would be the main facilitators of this approach and to challenge them to use creativity in designing participatory exercises, which simulate the concepts to be conveyed. The experience has wider application in other farm enterprises