Reflections on agricultural extension and extension policy in Africa

This paper highlights the underperformance of African agriculture and examines some of the underlying causes with a view to identify opportunities for improvement with special emphasis on agricultural extension policy. A brief review of literature reveals a disturbing gap between concepts and practice. Many extension concepts have been developed and brought into the field in rapid succession with little or no impact at farmer level. The paper argues against endless debates of no practical value that take the energies away from seeking practical solutions to low agricultural development. The paper recommends that extension practitioners, through their professional organizations like the South African Society for Agricultural Extension and the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services, provide leadership in facilitating extension policy dialogue

Bean Research Methods Training Course, Bunda College of Agriculture, Malawi: report

General information is given of the bean research methods training course held in Malawi from 20-31 Aug. 1990: background, participants, trainers, objectives, participants expectations, official opening, subject content, field trip, progress evaluation, participants' evaluation of the course, course expenses, and closing ceremony. (CIAT)Se da informacion general del curso de capacitacion en metodos de investigacion en frijol, realizado en Malawi del 20 al 31 de ago. de 1990: antecedentes, participantes, capacitadores, objetivos, expectativas de los participantes, apertura oficial, contenido del curso, visitas al campo, evaluacion del progreso, evaluacion del curso por parte de los participantes, gastos y ceremonia de clausura. (CIAT

Using micro-finance services to support climate change adaptation among small-scale farmers : identifying opportunities and challenges in southern Mozambique

Microfinance organisations represent a potential opportunity to promote adaptation of smallholder farmers. Without access to credit, this group of farmers has few opportunities to invest in adequate technologies and practices required to respond to climate variability and change. In this context, this study explores how Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) can be capacitated in order to assist smallholder farmers to respond to climate change. The core objective of the study is to identify opportunities and needs to foster smallholders' adaptation through MFIs. The study is informed by a survey involving 13 MFIs operating in Southern Mozambique. This paper finds that although MFIs are aware that climate risks affect their services in regards to a wider rural economy, these organisations do not have explicit policies to deal with climate risks. It also finds that majority of MFIs' managers recognise the potential for mainstreaming climate variability and change into services they provide to smallholders. However, for MFIs to achieve this they will require training of agents in climate related knowledge and adaptation, better access to climate related information, assistance in aspects of planning taking into consideration climate related risks and clear understanding of the benefits of investing in adaptation

Action research: A practical step-by-step guide for Agricultural Extension Professionals.

Agricultural extension professionals lag behind their counterparts in research and training institutions with regard to conducting research and generating new knowledge. This is mainly because conventional research methods are not appropriate for field practitioners whose main preoccupation is improving livelihoods of farming communities. However the success of field extensionists depends on their ability to identify and exploit opportunities for improvement. Therefore, they need research methods and approaches that enable them to generate reliable data and information which they can use to solve farmers’ problems. Given that the role of extension is basically to ensure that farmers have appropriate knowledge and skills, there is need to continuously find out whether farmers indeed have appropriate knowledge and skills. There is need to find out whether farmers apply appropriate knowledge and skills and reasons why they may not be applying appropriate knowledge and skills. Based on the findings, the extensionists will be able to identify the action required to improve upon the existing situation. This calls for knowledge and skills in action oriented research. This paper provides simple, easy to follow, step-by-step guidelines which should be suitable for many situations in extension research – whether one is researching adoption of an enterprise, an extension approach or the functioning of a farmer organization. The guidelines are based on experience acquired from in-service, custom-made, degree programmes for midcareer extension professionals

Effectiveness of the famer-to-farmer extension model in increasing technology uptake in Masaka and Tororo Districts of Uganda

An effective extension model focuses strongly on the dissemination and facilitation of the adoption of recommended technologies and practices to achieve its objectives. The farmer-to-farmer extension model has proved a success in Latin America (Kruger, 1995; Simpson and Owens, 2002; Hellin, Rodriguez and Coello, 2002), the Far East (Farrington and Martin, 1993) and a number of African countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Muok, Kimondo and Atshusi, 2001). In recent years, the model has been introduced in Uganda following the perceived ineffectiveness of the public extension models.However, the success of the new model has not been tested or established. This study was, therefore designed to provide evidence of its performance. The objectives of the study, which was conducted in two districts of Uganda (Masaka and Tororo), were to:a) identify the key players in the farmer-to-farmer extension approach; b) explain the nature and characteristics of the major players; c) examine the roles played by key players in the communities; d) determine appropriate communication channels in the communities; and e) identify the determinants of the effectiveness of the farmer-to-farmer extension model The effectiveness of the farmer-to-farmer extension approach was measured by:i) increased technology uptake; ii) increased production; iii) increased food availability; iv) the multiplier effect in information-sharing; and v) increased sales of commodities. The results were compared to those in areas where the farmer-to-farmer approach was not applied but with all other conditions remaining the same. The effectiveness of the model was found to depend on facilitators in terms of:a) their socio-economic closeness to the beneficiaries; b) their multiple community roles which boosted communication networks; c) their role in enhanced information flow among individuals of similar social status; d) better interaction and information-sharing among beneficiaries; e) their being community-based they devoted more time to their fellow beneficiaries; f) their use of demonstration facilities for experiential learning. The model can be applicable in a wide range of development fields where beneficiaries assume roles of development facilitators in their own communities.S.Afr. Tydskr. Landbouvoorl./S. Afr. J. Agric. Ext., Vol. 39 Nr 2, 2011: 30 – 4

A STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE (15-49) YEARS ON UTILISATION OF FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES AT KASANGATI HEALTH CENTER IV WAKISO DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Introduction: This study assessed the Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Women in Reproductive Age (15-49) Years on Utilisation of Family Planning Services at Kasangati Health Center IV, Wakiso District. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 96 respondents who were women of reproductive age (15-49) years at Kasangati Health Center IV in Wakiso District was selected by simple random sampling technique and the data was collected by the use of self-administered questionnaires after informed consent of the respondents. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package Social Science (SPSS) version and descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages were used to present data on figures, charts, and tables. Findings: The majority of the respondents (58%) had knowledge about family planning and had obtained information from the health workers (70.8%), the majority (78%) knew some of the family planning methods mostly condoms (45%). Most of the respondents (70%) would not recommend their female friends to use family planning because they were not health workers (56.3%), males were responsible for making decisions concerning family planning in a family (82.3%), Conclusion: The respondents had good knowledge regarding family planning methods however their attitude towards utilization of family planning methods was poor leading to moderately low utilization of the available family planning methods and stopping the use of family planning. Recommendation: The Country’s Ministry of Health, through its decentralized systems, should use health workers at the facility and at the community level to sensitize the public on family planning through various forums, including community outreach since the population is more likely to trust information from health workers

An assessment of the adoption of compost manure by smallholder farmers in Balaka District, Malawi.

The decline in soil fertility is widespread in Malawi and is threatening food security in the country. While the use of inorganic fertilizers to improve soil fertility has immediate results, the escalating prices make it impossible for the majority of smallholder farmers to use them. There is, therefore, need for alternative low-cost soil fertility enhancing technologies. Compost manure seems to be a viable option to be promoted. This study was designed to assess the adoption of compost manure making and utilization by smallholder farmers. The study was conducted through a combination of individual interviews and observation of 150 smallholder farmers as well as through focus group discussions. Key recommendations for compost manure technology were identified through consultations with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Based on the key recommendations, a knowledge test was constructed to assess knowledge of the technology and a checklist was designed to assess farmer practice. The study revealed that the most critical factor that affected the adoption of compost manure technology was knowledge. Given that knowledge is a pre-requisite to any technology adoption, farmers knowledge on composting will therefore need to be raised substantially before appreciable levels of adoption can be expected. The amounts of compost that farmers made fell far short of their annual needs because of the late timing of the actual compost manure making. However, farmers have a positive perception of the compost manure technology as they believe it improves soil productivity

Socio-economic aspects in draught animal-crop linkages: a diagnostic study of Tsholotsho, Chinyika and Mutoko smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe

A research paper on Zimbabwe's small-holder farmers' constraints in crop production due to shortages of draught animal power during the 1994/95 agricultural season.A survey was conducted on 451 households in Tsholotsho, Chinyika and Mutoko smallholder areas to understand farmers’ crop production constraints in relation to draught animal power (DAP) during the 1994/95 agricultural season. Farmers without DAP constituted 48.6 percent in the three districts. Of these, 54.5 percent had access to neighbours’ or relatives’ animals. The rest hired or worked in others’ fields in exchange for draught animals. Animal diseases and shortage of grazing land were noted as the major constraints in animal production. Both farmer education and experience as well as household head were found to be associated with district (p<0.001). Tsholotsho had the largest number of farmers (52.8 percent) with more than 10 years experience while Mutoko had the largest proportion (43.3 percent) of Master farmers. Farmer education and experience were found to be independent of sex. The average land holdings per farmer for Tsholotsho, Chinyika and Mutoko were 6.21 ha, 4.22 ha and 1.62 ha, respectively. Tsholotsho is a dryland communal area whilst Chinyika is a relatively wet area. Mutoko is a typical communal area with a high population pressure. Maize is the main crop in Chinyika and Mutoko whilst millet is the most common in Tsholotsho

Difficulties in assessing outcomes of soil and water conservation extension messages in banana based cropping systems: a case study of student projects at Makarere University, Uganda

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Doro Rabikwa - Chigamba

Drinking song Chitombe with clapping and drum accompaniment