Agricultural Education Research Articles

Impact of school gardens on secondary schools' agricultural science education in east Berbice Corentyne, Guyana

This study aimed to investigate gender disparities among Agricultural Science teachers in Region 6, East Berbice Corentyne, Guyana, focusing on their perceptions of school gardens and their influence on the pedagogy of agricultural science in secondary schools. Data were collected via electronic questionnaires from 30 teachers across 17 secondary schools to examine the integration of school gardens and their impact on teaching agricultural science. The results revealed that students participating in school gardening activities showed a greater propensity towards considering agriculture as a potential career and demonstrated an enhanced understanding of its practical aspects. Furthermore, incorporating school gardens facilitated interdisciplinary learning, bridging agricultural science with subjects such as social studies, language arts, and mathematics. This interdisciplinary approach promoted a deeper understanding of real-world applications across various disciplines. The findings emphasised the significance of creating conducive learning environments to support effective agricultural science instruction. Providing teachers and students with comfortable teaching and learning spaces fosters engagement and enhances pedagogical efficacy. This study contributes to the expanding body of literature advocating for integrating school gardens into educational curricula, particularly in agricultural science instruction. By recognising the multifaceted benefits of school gardens, educators and policymakers can better support the development of holistic and engaging learning experiences for secondary school students.

MODELS AND INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS OF THE CAREER OF HEADS OF LOCAL PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND MANAGEMENT (1965–1985)

The article deals with the issues of personnel policy in relation to the heads of local government bodies – the chairmen of the executive committees of the Soviets of the period of "developed socialism". In the 1960s and 1980s, there were models of career growth worked out in practice, which assumed consistent, starting from grassroots leadership positions, and gradual, without sudden jerks, promotion along the vertical of power and management. Based on the analysis of statistical material and the study of the biographies of specific heads of local state bodies, three main trajectories of their career growth are distinguished: "Soviet-economic", "party-Soviet", "combined". It is noted that the most common was the third option – "combined": the alternation of party, Soviet and economic nomenclature positions. Institutional factors of career growth are highlighted: membership in the CPSU, higher specialized technical or agricultural education, higher party-political education, age and work experience in lower positions (including the beginning of work as workers or collective farmers). The article was prepared as part of the task of the state scientific research program "Society and Humanitarian Security of the Belarusian State", subprogram "History", topic 12.1.3.11 "Local government bodies of the Byelorussian SSR – the Republic of Belarus: organizational, legal, material, financial and personnel foundations of functioning (1944–2020)" for 2021–2025.

Pilot Evaluation of a Co-Designed Gamified Farm Injury Prevention Educational Resource for Adolescents

ABSTRACT Objectives Adolescents are at-risk of fatal and non-fatal injuries in the farm environment. School-based agricultural safety and farm injury prevention education is likely to be more effective when utilizing co-designed and gamification principles; however, this needs to be tested. This study examined data from a pilot evaluation of a co-designed farm injury prevention gamified educational resource for adolescents. Methods Online, anonymous surveys were conducted with students studying agriculture in regional Australia who had previously participated in the co-design process to develop “Calm Your Farm”. Three courses were developed (vehicles, workshop, and water safety) and before and after playing each of the courses for the first time, students completed survey questions regarding self-reported knowledge on the course topic, and assessment of content, design, ease of play, and how much they learned. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi square tests of association, and independent sample t tests. Results We analyzed 66 responses (66.7% male; 60.6% aged 13 years). Staged course release meant all respondents assessed the vehicle and workshop courses, while 58% assessed the water safety course. Vehicle and workshop courses were rated 7.64 out of a possible 10 (SD = 1.85) and 7.65 (SD = 1.78), respectively, for the information presented, slightly higher than water safety (7.47 [SD = 1.91]). Statistically significant improvements in self-reported knowledge post play were seen among boys for the water safety course (63% said knowledge improved; X2 = 4.98; p = .026) and 13-year-olds for vehicles (35%; X2 = 4.31; p = .038) and workshop safety (50%; X2 = 4.29; p = .038). Respondents indicated being more likely to replay the game at school (M = 6.62 [SD = 2.96]) than at home (M = 5.57 [SD = 3.07]). Of respondents, 61% (n = 40) agreed that “Calm Your Farm” taught them more about farm safety and was more fun than other farm safety education previously received. Tractor safety (62%), chemical safety (58%), and firearm safety (58%) were the most popular topics suggested to be added to the game. Conclusion The co-design and gamification approach taken with “Calm Your Farm” appeared to be successful in improving self-reported knowledge around farm injury prevention and was perceived by 62% of the respondents as being fun and educational. Future expansion should incorporate student suggested topics.

Perceptions on Influence of Membership in Young Farmers Clubs on Career Interest and Participation in Agricultural Activities Among Secondary School Students in Nakuru North Sub-County, Nakuru County, Kenya

Young Farmers’ Club (YFC) activities globally have played a vital role in the mastery and attainment of knowledge in agriculture subject since it is best learned by use of practical activities. Increased youth participation in agricultural production is necessary and vital in facilitating food and nutritional security. In Kenya, Young Farmers Club of Kenya (YFCK) was established to help boys and girls to develop ideas for better farming, provide social and recreational activities, help give the necessary dignity to agriculture as an occupation and develop good and competent agricultural leadership. The objectives of YFCK included promoting interest in farming, sound training in advanced methods of crop and animal husbandly, leadership skills, self-reliance, self-confidence and responsibility. The purpose of this study was to determine the perception on influence of membership in young farmers clubs on career interest and participation in agricultural activities among day secondary schools students in Nakuru North sub-county. A descriptive survey design was adopted with a target population of 2,660 agriculture students and 32 agriculture teachers. Proportionate random sampling was used to select a sample of 120 respondents from the 19 day public schools. Data was collected from the sampled heads of agriculture subject using a questionnaire. Content validity of the instrument was ascertained by two panels of experts from Department of Agricultural Education and Extension and the supervisors. Reliability of the instruments was ensured through a pilot-test using 40 agriculture students and four agriculture teachers from Nakuru East Sub-county. The reliability of the instrument was tested using Cronbach Alpha coefficient. A reliability coefficient was 0.76 and 0.73 for YFCK members and Agriculture teachers respectively, at a significance level of α= 0.05. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive with the aid of SPSS 20.0 for Windows. Data was analysed using various tables and graphs. The researcher recommends that Agriculture teachers in collaboration with school administration should enhance YFCK activities. This is for proper and effective practical activities in teaching of Agriculture subject according to the syllabus. The findings of the study will be of importance to secondary school teachers, students and other scholars of higher institutions of learning by emphasizing in formation of young farmers clubs in day secondary schools in Nakuru North Sub- County, Nakuru County Kenya.

English-Medium Instruction in Japan: experience and its implementation in internationalization of agricultural higher education in Uzbekistan

Abstract EMI has been described as the most significant trend in educational internationalization’ (Chapple, 2015) and as an ‘unstoppable train’, from which EMI educators must ensure students alight safely at their destination (Macaro et al., 2018). Many studies have been conducted to explain and find out what is the best experience to implement in internationalization of Higher Education (HE). However, while literature covers a wide variety of theories, this study focused on two non-Anglophone countries` experiences. Japan is one of the non-Anglophone countries where the internationalization of universities is growing rapidly due to the successful implementation of EMI programs. However, most universities in Asia face numerous challenges in realizing globalization of higher education, especially those in the early stages of transitioning to English teaching programs. Tashkent State Agrarian University (TSAU) in Uzbekistan is one of them. TSAU, established in 1930, prepares agriculture specialists not only for Uzbekistan but also for neighboring countries. In Uzbekistan, not many studies are done related to the internationalization of agricultural tertiary education. To reduce the challenges faced by students and content teachers on their EMI journeys, we must first understand the language-related challenges that many students and teachers experience in the process. This study attempts to investigate the early challenges faced by Japanese universities in transitioning to EMI courses and what aspects of the Japanese EMI experience would be suitable to apply in higher education in Uzbekistan. Moreover, the study will focus on how consensus should be obtained in collaboration between English language and content teachers. The role of English language teachers in the successful implementation of the EMI program is immense and irreplaceable. The findings are based on a literature review of Japanese universities` strategies in the implementation of the EMI program. To address the study questions, a questionnaire was used to gather quantitative data by asking content lecturers the identical 30 questions on 5-point Likert scales with choices ranging from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree". In the questionnaire, participated content lecturers from TSAU, Akita University and Tokyo University of Technology and Agriculture (TUAT), English language teachers from TSAU and some 1st-year and 2nd-year undergraduate students from all three universities who enrolled in the EMI program also showed interest in participation in research. Findings are expected to be introduced to the department of "Languages" and shared with content lecturers who are involved in the EMI program at TSAU and serve as a source for future research.

Population Dynamics and Integrated Pest Management of the Fall Armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Maize in Rivers State, Nigeria

Population dynamics and integrated pest management investigations of the fall armyworm (FAW) on maize conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture Teaching and Research farm, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria, made notable findings for the effective management of this notorious pest. This study involved 3 maize varieties namely Bende White (a local white variety), Oka (a local yellow maize) and Oba Super 98 (an improved white variety); two cropping patterns i.e. sole maize, and maize-yam intercrop; pheromonal trapping and pesticide (Kartodim 315EC). Pesticide applications were at 3 different phases (2WAP, 4WAP, and zero application as control, respectively). The pheromonal trap catches aided tracking of the pest’s population dynamics over the study duration showing the arrival times, build-up, peaks and falls. There was no significant difference in FAW populations between sole and intercrop plots; although 3 population peaks were found in maize-yam intercrop (at day 5, 7 and 17) against 2 peaks (day 4 and 15) in the sole maize. Oka variety showed significantly higher mean maize ear damages from FAW attacks (6.36 ± 2.45), compared to Bende (5.71 ± 2.87) and Oba 98 (4.77 ± 2.64) (p < 0.05), implying that Oba 98 may be the best maize variety for cultivation in this locality.

Determining collaboration between University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension agents and secondary school-based agricultural educators

Determining collaboration between University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension agents and secondary school-based agricultural educators

Missing the Link: Stakeholders’ Perception Towards Agriculture Academic Institutions Contribution to Integrate Research Extension and Education Institutions in Nepal

Currently, thirty Agriculture Academic Institutions (AAI) in two broad categories: constituent campuses and affiliated colleges under six universities are executing agriculture and veterinary science programs nationwide. All these universities have different course curricula, faculties, academic resources, and research & outreach capacities. Literature show that Nepalese AAIs have minimal activities to engage their graduates in communities and service learning. In this sense, AAIs are missing the opportunities to connect farming communities, enterprises and industries. Similarly, faculties of AAIs are mostly confined to classroom teaching and their competencies of engagement in the policy arena are under-utilized. Further, faculties and researchers because of their limited participation in policy engagement are missing the opportunities to share their evidence, expertise and experiences in the (Agriculture Research, Extension, and Education) AREE network. On this ground, a study was designed to capture the AREE stakeholders’ opinion that ‘Should academic institutions be a part of agriculture research, dissemination of technologies and policy engagement along with the teaching-learning activities?’ A cross-sectional perceptual survey was conducted (n=250) using a five-point Likert scale. Cross-tab analysis and one-way ANOVA were conducted to assess the difference in the stakeholders’ opinions. The reliability coefficient (0.633) was calculated using Cronbach alpha reliability methods. The findings showed that stakeholders perceived AAI should not be confined merely to teaching-learning activities. It means the stakeholders desire to review the existing mandates of education institutions and expand their roles in the tripartite functions of research extension and education. The stakeholders are not in favor of establishing an arrangement for the apex agency to integrate all of these institutions. To connect and strengthen linkage and integration between AREE institutions, classroom components should be connected with farming & business communities, and industries through service learning in community multi-stakeholder platforms.

Analysis of Performance Management And Work Achievements of Agricultural Extenders Assisting For Agricultural Economic Improvement (PPEP) South Ogan Komering Ulu Regency

This research aims to analyze the performance management of agricultural extension in organizing agricultural extension in South Ogan Komering Ulu Regency. The subjects of this research are agricultural instructors assisting agricultural economic improvement (PPEP), which is an agricultural instructor recruiting from the South Sumatra Province Governor's Program based on South Sumatra Governor Regulation Number 45 of 2020. The sampling method was carried out using a census where the entire population was used as a sample, namely 113 respondents in 19 sub-districts. The performance of extension workers is measured using a scoring method with measurement indicators by the Minister of Agriculture Regulation Number. 91/Permentan/OT.140/9/2013. The data analysis method used is Job Performance Value (NPK) analysis. The research results from the analysis show that the performance management of agricultural extension workers has a score with an average value for planning preparation of 4.70. Implementation of agricultural extension 3.61, while evaluation and reporting 4.87. The work achievement score has a score in the Fair category, namely 50%.

The role of key actors in relation to discourse in a microblogging hashtag stream

PurposeThis study aims to examine the role of key network actors in relation to the discourse structure of a microblogging hashtag stream within a global agricultural educators’ conference over two years. Prior work in online networks suggests that participation is dominated by highly active members, and in this study, the authors focus on examining what types of discourse are shared and reshared by key actors.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a combination of social network analyses and qualitative discourse coding to examine approximately 1,390 posts associated with the conference hashtag over two consecutive years.FindingsThe study analyses uncovered a set of common key participants over both years and common types of discourse used by those key participants. Key participants took on roles of resharing messages and contributed to discourse by retweeting posts that highlighted participants’ thoughts and feelings related to the conference and the discipline.Research limitations/implicationsThis research has implications for encouraging diverse participants and diverse discourses related to key community goals. Design suggestions include identifying and inviting key actors as collaborators to reshare discourse that clearly aligns with community goals and using smaller hashtag spaces to encourage broader participation.Originality/valuePrior work on microblogging has highlighted either the types of discourse and information sharing or the structures of the network interactions within conference hashtag streams. This study builds on this prior work and combines discourse and structure to understand the ways in which key network figures reshare discourse within the community, a facet that has been underreported in the literature.

Agricultural Higher Education in Yemen: Opportunities and Aspirations "Issues and Proposed Solutions"

Agricultural Higher Education in Yemen: Opportunities and Aspirations "Issues and Proposed Solutions"

Access to Technology to Increase Food Resilience in Rural Households in Indonesia

Food resilience is intricately linked to household standard of living, human development, and economic growth. Higher food expenditure not only signifies improved living standards but also provides households with the necessary energy and nutrition for daily activities. The integration of technology holds promise for bolstering food resilience among households.However, there exists a gap in understanding how technology can enhance household food resilience across different socioeconomic classes, considering the diverse food expenditure patterns observed. This paper employs quantile regressions to examine the impact of technology on food resilience, accounting for heterogeneity across socio-economic classes.Utilizing data from the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS) wave 5 dataset, our findings reveal varying effects of certain variables across different classes. Key contributors to food expenditure identified include income, household size, education, and engagement in agriculture as the primary source of employment. Consequently, policy interventions should prioritize expanding internet access for low-decile households residing in rural areas to effectively enhance food resilience.

Designing Instruction to Guide Reflection

Reflection is critical because it helps the learner encode their new knowledge, helping them tie what they experienced in class with what they already know and believe. This article aims to provide a few strategies to help guide reflection. These strategies can be used to inform teaching in the formal classroom, Extension programming, and non-formal teaching. Written by R. G. (Tre) Easterly III and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, May 2024.

The Nexus between Agricultural Education Curriculum and Food Security in Nigeria: Challenges and Way Forward for Sustainable Practice

The Nexus between Agricultural Education Curriculum and Food Security in Nigeria: Challenges and Way Forward for Sustainable Practice

Comparative reproduction performance of Giant African Land Snail (Archachatina marginata) fed with the leguminous plant Leucaena leucocephala

The study was carried out between July and October 2022 at the sub–station of the Faculty of Agriculture Research and Teaching farm to assess the reproductive performance of Archachatina marginata fed the leguminous Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal as feed additive. 208 adult snails were randomly partitioned into 4 treatments and 4 repetitions of 13 comparable snails (weight and size). The treatment T0 (control) received only the experimental diet as described while three other treatments received not only diet but, L. leucocephala leaf meal at 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% for a period of 12 weeks. In each treatment, every morning, the substrate of each breeding bucket was stirred entirely and minutely to collect the eggs to determine the laying and morphometric characteristics of the eggs. The eggs were then placed 10 cm deep in loose soil substrates until hatching to evaluate the characteristics of the fecundity. The unhatched eggs were opened, and the state of embryonic development observed to determine early embryonic mortality rate and late embryonic mortality. At the end of the experiment, animals of each replicate were sacrificed; the hemolymph was collected determine the total cholesterol and protein. The results showed that the characteristics of reproduction were affected with graded level of L. leucocephala. The highest number of eggs laid (17.29 ± 13.44) and the number of clutches (268.91) was recorded in animals receiving 0.5% and 0.75% L. leucocephala in the diet respectively while the highest value of fecundation rate (95.50 ± 8.80), hatch rate (94.55 ± 9.36), and hatchability (98.99 ± 3.15) was registered in the treatment that received 0.75%. The highest value of total protein and cholesterol was recorded in the same treatment. In conclusion 0.75% of L. leucocephala can be added in the diet of adult snail to increase its reproductive performance.

Optimalisasi Komunikasi Penyuluhan Pertanian Dalam Sekolah Lapang Iklim Stasiun Klimatologi Kupang

Climate change has an impact on decreasing agricultural production due to changes in cropping patterns. Farmers have difficulty determining planting times to adapt to climate conditions due to a lack of understanding of climate information. Therefore, agricultural education regarding climate information is conveyed by the government to the public through the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). The climate information is then conveyed by BMKG through the climatology station in the Climate Field School (SLI) program. The aim of this research is to determine the optimization of agricultural extension communication in the Kupang climatology station's climate field school. The stages of this research method start from a literature review, data collection in the form of primary data and secondary data, then the data is analyzed. The research results show that optimizing agricultural extension communication in the Kupang Climatology Station SLI is carried out by integrating local wisdom with science. The use of local languages by extension agents is an appropriate extension communication strategy used by SLI. This collaboration creates an understanding of how to read climate change which is used to determine the right planting time.

Impact of Humic Acid-Based Bio-stimulant ‘Humetsu’ on Growth and Yield Attributes of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Aims: The current study was carried out to examine the impact of humic-acid-based bio-stimulant (liquid formulation) ‘Humetsu’ on growth and yield attributes of potato variety Kufri Chipsona-4. Study Design: The study used a Randomized Block Design with 3 replications and 8 treatments. Place and Duration of Study: The existing experiment was worked out at Teaching Farm, College of Agriculture under BCKV, Burdwan Sadar during Rabi, 2019-20 and Rabi, 2020-21. Methodology: The test product humic-acid based bio-stimulant (liquid formulation) ‘Humetsu’ was used for seed treatment at the rate of 5 ml/kg tuber before sowing of potato and 2.5 ml /L water was sprayed treatment-wise as per protocol using a water volume of 500 liters per ha with knapsack sprayer fitted with flat fan deflector nozzle in potato. Results: The results elucidated that significantly maximum plant emergence, number of branches per plant and increased available N, P, K and Organic carbon (OC) in both years were recorded in treatment T4 (100% NPK + 3 application of ‘Humetsu’ (Seed treatment at the rate of 5 ml/kg of tuber and 2 foliar sprays at the rate 2.5ml L-1 water at 30 DAS & 55 DAS). The highest plant height, TSS (%), and fewer days to harvest were found in treatment T7 (80% NPK + 3 application of ‘Humetsu’ (Seed treatment at the rate 5ml/kg of tuber and 2 foliar sprays at the rate 2.5ml L-1 water at 30 DAS & 55 DAS) followed by treatment T4, T5, and T6. The maximum number of tubers per plant, total tuber yield, and marketable tuber yield were noticed in the treatment T7 during both years. The highest microbial population in the soil was noticed in the T7 during both the years. On the other hand, the least plant height, TSS (%), plant emergence, number of tubers per plant, total tuber yield, marketable yield per ha, more days to harvest, and the least microbial population in soil were observed in (control) treatment (T8) during both the years. Conclusion: Application of 80% NPK + 3 application of ‘Humetsu’ (Seed treatment at the rate 5ml/kg of tuber and 2 foliar sprays at the rate 2.5ml l-1 water at 30 DAS& 55 DAS) has a significant impact in yield of potato with 20% reduction of the recommended dose of NPK fertilizers.

Extension Professionals Support Agricultural Education Career Awareness

Extension Professionals Support Agricultural Education Career Awareness

Evaluating Climate Change Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors (KAB) in Agricultural Sciences and Technologies Education

The aim of this study is to determine the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) regarding climate change among undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled into the Agricultural Sciences and Technologies in Niğde province. The research involved 200 students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, encompassing Turkish and English speakers. Research data were obtained through a personal information form designed to assess students' knowledge levels, behaviors, and attitudes toward climate change. The survey consists of four sections measuring students' demographic characteristics, behavioral traits related to climate change, attitudes toward climate change, and knowledge about the subject. Descriptive statistics, including percentages for categorical variables and mean ± standard deviation for continuous variables, were used in data analysis to transparently illustrate the distribution of background variables such as age, gender, and education. Focusing on knowledge about climate change, 66% of students indicated that they attribute climate change to human activities. It was observed that students' awareness of environmental issues, specifically recycling, is at a rate of 22.5%. In conclusion, when examining the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of students are studied Agricultural Sciences and Technologies regarding climate change, the study highlights the need for more effective education and awareness programs on environmental issues.

Minimum supporting price (MSP): A boon or bane

MSP is affixed price paid by government of India to farmers wherever they procure a particular crop. It is fixed prior to the sowing season to encourage higher investment and production of agricultural commodities. The MSP is designed to ensure that farmers receive a minimum income for their produce, helping to stabilize prices and protect farmers from market fluctuations or price drops due to oversupply or other factors. It also provides an incentive for farmers to grow certain crops, as the government assures a baseline market for them. Therefore, present study was planned to assess the knowledge, determining the impact and expectation of farmer towards MSP policy in the village of Haryana state. Study was conducted on 30 farmers to assess the knowledge, determining the impact and expectation of farmer towards MSP policy. The survey’s findings highlight the several significant outcomes and causes for farmers’ discontent with the MSP rates announcement pattern. All farmers (100%) agreed that MSP should be revised according to climatic changes. Majority of the farmers were highly dissatisfied with the rates announced by government over MSP listed crops. Farmers thought that these prices did not leads to meet their regular needs. The government should focus on improving policy and at the same time, agricultural education should be incorporated into the curricula of schools as well as higher level of studies.