A comparison of project participants and extension officers' perception regarding knowledge of production in agricultural projects in the North West Province, South Africa

The study examined the perception and knowledge of project participants and extension officers about production knowledge in agricultural projects. The objective of the study was to compare the perception and knowledge of project participants and extension officers regarding production knowledge in agricultural projects before and at interview. The questionnaire was designed to collect data, in which structured and unstructured questions were used. To ensure a good flow of ideas, the questionnaire was divided into distinct sections. Data was captured and analysed by the Department of Statistics of the University of Pretoria. The data was collected by means of personal interviews with a total of 129 project participants and 75 extension officers. Knowledge of both respondent categories was assessed in terms of participants’ knowledge about the commodities to be produced for a particular area before production, and at interview. Knowledge assessment was based on the production status of the commodity, special design requirements, special machines and equipment requirements, special transport requirements, quality assurance requirements, labour requirements, and time devoted on the produce. The major findings were as follows: (1) Project participants did not have knowledge at the start of their project, but had acquired knowledge by the time of interviews and there was a clear indication of a need for structured training at the project level.Keywords: Projects, Production, Knowledge, Perception, Project Participants, Extension Officer

A comparison of project participants and extension officers’ perceptions of the market in agricultural projects in the North West Province, South Africa

The study examined the perception of project participants and extension officers regarding marketing of agricultural produce in agricultural projects in the North West Province. The objective of the study was primarily to compare the perceptions of project participants and extension officers. When establishing a project, market and its stability with regards to the produce of the project has to be established on whether the project will maximise profit, maintain market share, or consolidate market position. The major findings of the study according to both project participants and extension officer respondents revealed that: (a)The market was reasonable according to 54% of project participants and 53% of extension officer respondents; (b) The market remained unchanged according to 48% of both respondent categories; (c) Produce slightly met the market requirements in terms of quality; (d) Produce did not meet market requirements in terms of contract; (e) The market price was average; (f) The market assessment in terms of the quantity it can absorb was average; (g) Project participants used hired transport according to 35% of both respondent categories; and (h) 33% of both respondent categories indicated that produce were marketed locally within the community.Keywords: Perception, Projects, Market, Produce, Project participants, Extension officer

The communication and utilisation of recommended agricultural practices in three Mankwe field crop projects

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this documentDissertation (M Inst Agrar (Extension))--University of Pretoria, 2005.Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Developmentunrestricte

A comparison of project participants and extension officers' perception regarding knowledge of production in agricultural projects in the North West Province, South Africa

The study examined the perception and knowledge of project participants and extension officers about production knowledge in agricultural projects. The objective of the study was to compare the perception and knowledge of project participants and extension officers regarding production knowledge in agricultural projects before and at interview. The questionnaire was designed to collect data, in which structured and unstructured questions were used. To ensure a good flow of ideas, the questionnaire was divided into distinct sections. Data was captured and analysed by the Department of Statistics of the University of Pretoria. The data was collected by means of personal interviews with a total of 129 project participants and 75 extension officers. Knowledge of both respondent categories was assessed in terms of participants’ knowledge about the commodities to be produced for a particular area before production, and at interview. Knowledge assessment was based on the production status of the commodity, special design requirements, special machines and equipment requirements, special transport requirements, quality assurance requirements, labour requirements, and time devoted on the produce. The major findings were as follows: Project participants did not have knowledge at the start of their project, but had acquired knowledge by the time of interviews and there was a clear indication of a need for structured training at the project level.http://www.journals.co.za/content/journalAgricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Developmen

The influence of beneficiaries needs on project success or failure in the North West Province, South Africa

The starting point of any project is a need and a need is much more concrete and more definable: otherwise a project can never be well planned For a project to be successful, the needs of the beneficiaries has to be clearly analysed and understood for appropriate planning to take place (Swanepoel & de Beer 2006: 172). The main objective of this study is to determine the influence that the beneficiaries needs had on the project success or failure as perceived by both the beneficiaries (project participants) and the serving extension officers. The study revealed that 20.8% of the project participants and 30.2% of the extension officers indicated that the farmer's needs were only mostly met. Secondly, significantly more project participants (26.4%) than extension officers (13.6%) indicated that the choice of project content was based on calculated impact. A total of 56% extension officers and only 20% project participants indicated "other content of choice" as their most important option. The majority (52.4%) of both respondent categories indicated that the training received was very relevant. Project participants indicated a need for 25.25 mean days of training while extension officers indicated a need for 26.71 mean days of training. The majority (52.4%) of both respondent categories indicated that the training was very much relevant and at least 48% of both respondent categories indicated that the need assessment was done on continuous bases. A negative aspect is that 31% of all the respondents indicated that needs assessment was only done once a year while 12% indicated that there was no assessment done. The majority of project participants (73%) reported that they were consulted before the project started and only 7.1% reported that they were not consulted, while 38.3 % of both respondent categories indicated that the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method was used to assess their needs. The findings clearly indicate a significant association between farmer's needs and project failure or success.http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_agri.htmlam201

A comparison of project participants and extension officers perception about participation in agricultural projects in the North West Province, South Africa

The study examined the perception of project participants and extension officers about participation in agricultural projects. Specific objectives of the study were (1) to determine the degree of participation, and (2) format of participation as perceived by project participants and extension officers in the North West Province. A questionnaire was designed to collect data, in which structured and unstructured questions were used. To ensure a good flow of ideas, the questionnaire was divided into distinct sections. Data was captured and analysed by the Department of Statistics of the University of Pretoria. The data was collected by means of personal interviews with a total of 129 project participants and 75 extension officers. The major findings were as follows: (1) Project participants initiated, and volunteered to participate in, projects, and owned and planned them. (2) The major decisions were made and accountability was retained by the project participants. (3) Project participants were consulted during needs assessments and during project development. (4) In terms of support, the community and the extension officers supported the project participants in many ways, such as allowing them to do farming on communal land and DARD provided infrastructure and training. Findings also showed that there was genuine participation in most projects. (5) According to both respondent categories there are too many members in the projects. (6) Extension officers participated well in the initial phase of the project but not sufficiently in the follow up phases of the project.This article is part of the author's PhD Thesis. University of Pretoria, South Africa. (http://hdl.handle.net/2263/50690)http://reference.sabinet.co.za/sa_epublication/agriam201

A comparison of project participants and extension officers’ perceptions of the market in agricultural projects in the North West, South Africa

The study examined the perception of project participants and extension officers regarding marketing of agricultural produce in agricultural projects in the North West Province. The objective of the study was primarily to compare the perceptions of project participants and extension officers. When establishing a project, market and its stability with regards to the produce of the project has to be established on whether the project will maximise profit, maintain market share, or consolidate market position. The major findings of the study according to both project participants and extension officer respondents revealed that: (a)The market was reasonable according to 54% of project participants and 53% of extension officer respondents; (b) The market remained unchanged according to 48% of both respondent categories; (c) Produce slightly met the market requirements in terms of quality; (d) Produce did not meet market requirements in terms of contract; (e) The market price was average; (f) The market assessment in terms of the quantity it can absorb was average; (g) Project participants used hired transport according to 35% of both respondent categories; and (h) 33% of both respondent categories indicated that produce were marketed locally within the community.http://www.journals.co.za/content/journal/agriam2018Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Developmen

A comparison of project participants' and extension officers' perceptions and knowledge of participation in agricultural projects in the North West Province South Africa

The study examined the perception and knowledge of project participants and extension officers about participation in agricultural projects. Specific objectives of the study are (1) to determine the degree of participation, format of participation, production knowledge, and participants‟ needs, as perceived by project participants and extension officers, and (2) to identify and develop measures for participation essential for future policy development in the North West Province. A questionnaire was designed to collect data, in which structured and unstructured questions were used. To ensure a good flow of ideas, the questionnaire was divided into distinct sections. Data was captured and analysed by the Department of Statistics of the University of Pretoria. The data was collected by means of personal interviews with a total of 129 project participants and 75 extension officers. Participation is conceptualised as the sharing of power in programme development, coordination, decision-making, cooperation and accountability. The major findings were as follows. (1) Project participants initiated, and volunteered to participate in, projects, and owned and planned them. (2) The major decisions were made and accountability was retained by the project participants. (3) Project participants were consulted during needs assessments and during project development. (4) In terms of support, the community and the extension officers supported the project participants in many ways, such as where the community allowed them to do farming on communal land and DARD provided infrastructure and training. (5) Project participants did not have knowledge at the start of their project, but had acquired knowledge by the time of interviews and there was a clear indication of a need for structured training at the project level. (6) They operated mostly as a cooperative and there were more men than women participating, in the age groups of 50 – 59 and 60 – 69 years. (7) The majority of project participants had grade 7 – 9 education and most were unemployed. Findings also showed that there was genuine participation in most projects. It is very important for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North West Province to embrace an extension service that recognises and encourages participatory approach that is need-based, and that relies on need assessments for the purpose of: (a) identifying communities‟ or farmers‟ needs, (b) identifying developmental priorities, and (c) promoting participation of communities in the development process. Promotion of farmer participation is always essential for ownership, accountability, improved effectiveness and empowerment of farmers, therefore, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development should be committed to a purposeful, priority-focused participatory approach. Extension should move towards a direction of ensuring that projects or programmes are owned by intended beneficiaries who are involved in all aspects of their development. This requires of the extension officers, competent facilitation, including the necessary motivational support and a systematic and stepwise involvement of programme/project members in the different phases of the process of project development and execution.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2015.tm2015Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural DevelopmentPhDUnrestricte