Agricultural Extension Research Articles

Agricultural extension which should play a critical role of educating farmers on modern farming techniques for improved productivity suffered neglect over the years by successive administrations. The paper reviewed practices and challenges of Nigeria’s agricultural extension service delivery. The data which was collected from secondary sources such as journals, conference proceedings and other related publications were systematically reviewed. The study found that Nigeria’s extension service is delivered through both public and private systems. Some of the challenges bedeviling Nigeria’s agricultural extension service delivery are inadequate funding, poor coordination between public and private extension service, no deliberate extension policy, bureaucracy, among others. The study concluded a well-developed extension policy backed with good funding roadmap, proper coordination, and adequate, well-trained and motivated workforce is needed for effective extension service delivery. It is recommended that government should prioritize increased budget allocations for agricultural extension service and develop capacity-building initiatives for extension workers.

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are debilitating psychiatric illnesses that require extensive pharmacologic, cognitive, and functional management. SSD patients are often prescribed different medications, most commonly antipsychotics, which bear numerous side effects. Recently, accumulating evidence has shown epigenetic aging changes in SSD. However, the effects of antipsychotic medications on this phenomenon remain unexplored.We investigated whether antipsychotic medications are associated with epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in 153 SSD patients. EAA was estimated using six different epigenetic clocks, based on the methylation patterns of peripheral blood cells.The analysis revealed some evidence of aging deceleration based on the Hannum DNAm Age in individuals on antipsychotic polypharmacy, relative to their monopharmacy counterparts (mean difference=-0.59 years, p=0.0109), which was only nearing significance after adjusting for multiple comparisons (padjusted=0.0654). In sex-specific analysis, only females displayed significantly decelerated epigenetic aging in the polypharmacy group in three of the six clocks. Furthermore, we observed no dose-dependent effects of antipsychotics on EAA in all clocks using three dose standardization methods (daily defined dose, chlorpromazine equivalents, and percent of maximum allowed dose).The findings suggest that antipsychotic treatment may modulate biological aging in SSD; however, this effect is not dose-dependent. Moreover, there appears to be an interplay between sex, polypharmacy, and epigenetic aging. These findings contribute to our understanding of the biological effects of antipsychotic treatment, and future research in this area is key for weighing the benefits and the risks of pharmacological management of SSD.

ABSTRACT This paper investigates how festival (jidian) and worship (baibai) became objects of state-led modernization in rural Taiwan during the 1950s and 60s. While policies to control folk religion had existed since the Japanese colonial era (1895–1945), the postwar government intensified this campaign by disciplining worship practices with the idea of frugality and productivity. By studying government archives and farm extension journals, this paper analyses state projects to incorporate folk religion into the nexus of improvement project in agricultural production, while delineating the ambivalent responses from the local society.

Climate variability is severely threatening rural livelihoods in Zimbabwe, where smallholder farmers rely predominantly on rain-fed crops. Altered precipitation patterns, persistent drought, and episodes of extreme weather have disrupted agricultural schedules, compromised food security, and increased socioeconomic vulnerability. This research assesses the correlation between climate-induced decline in agricultural output and trends in rural–urban and cross-border migration, concentrating on the districts of Mutoko, Gutu, and Chimanimani, which collectively offer a range of agro-ecological environments and significant vulnerability to climatic threats. The study employed a qualitative methodology, utilizing semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 36 respondents. The sample included smallholder farmers, female-led households, youth, traditional leaders, and agricultural extension agents. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyze data. The findings indicate that declining harvests, animal mortality, and reduced cropping periods have progressively eroded traditional subsistence, leading to increased out-migration, especially among youth and economically engaged male farmers. The paper recommends the enhancement of agro-ecological resilience via increased smallholder irrigation, the promotion of drought-resistant seed types, and revitalized extension services. Investment in vocational training, along with accessible microfinance and gender-sensitive social protection, can substantially improve adaptive capacity among at-risk groups.

Based on cross-sectional survey data from 574 grain farmers in Hebei Province, China, this study systematically analyzed, using an ordered Logit model and Bootstrap mediation effect tests, the mechanism by which information acquisition influences farmers’ adoption of green production technologies. The results showed that the diversity of information acquisition channels, content quality, and source credibility were all significantly and positively correlated with the degree of technology adoption, with content quality exhibiting the strongest correlation. Perceived usefulness played a partial mediating role between information acquisition and adoption behavior. Digital skills significantly and positively moderated the path through which information acquisition affects technology adoption—farmers with higher digital skills were more adept at converting information into technical knowledge and practices. Further heterogeneity analysis revealed that farmers with high digital skills in plain areas benefited more noticeably from information acquisition. Therefore, it is recommended that county-level agricultural technology extension centers take the lead in developing visualized technical materials to improve the quality of information content; conduct special digital skills training for elderly farmers to enhance their ability to acquire and identify information; and in regional practices, implement the supporting service of “targeted information & high-standard farmland” in plain areas while establishing a “technology demonstration household” dissemination network in mountainous areas. These measures will collectively form a differentiated and implementable technology promotion system, providing a feasible, practical path for advancing agricultural green transformation.

This study, carried out as part of a large countrywide investigation into the sheep and goat industries in Greece, focused on respiratory problems of lambs and kids in Greece. The work was performed as part of a wider study performed in farms throughout the country with the participation of farmers, by means of an in-person questionnaire investigation. The specific objectives of the study were (a) the assessment of the presence of respiratory problems in lambs and kids and (b) the identification of variables associated with the presence of these problems in the farms. Data were collected from 325 sheep flocks and 119 goat herds. The annual incidence rate for respiratory problems in lambs was 1.4% (95% confidence intervals: 1.3–1.4%) and that in kids was 1.1% (1.0–1.2%). The annual incidence rate was significantly lower in farms that applied a semi-extensive or extensive management system (1.2% in sheep and 1.0% in goat farms) than in farms that applied an intensive or semi-intensive or extensive (1.5% and 1.3%, respectively) management system. In multivariable analysis, the lack of a barn for lambs, the proximity (<10 km) of the farm to industrial sites, and the experience of farmers emerged as significant predictors in sheep farms, and the proximity to industrial sites and the administration of antibiotics to newborns routinely emerged as significant predictors in goat farms. Sheep (27.4%) and goat (22.7%) farmers considered ‘pneumonia’ as the second most important health problem of lambs and kids. Respiratory problems were more often declared an important problem by farmers in proximity to industrial sites: 21.6% versus 12.5%. Overall, the study contributes information regarding the presence of respiratory problems in lambs and kids in Greece. A notable finding has been the association of proximity to industrial sites with a higher incidence rate of respiratory problems of lambs and kids in the farms. This has similarities to the results of relevant studies on people and potentially reflects that air pollution in the farm environment might be a factor to take into account in health management. One may also postulate that, possibly, data from farms can be employed to indicate potential risk from air pollution for humans, although further and more detailed work will be necessary to draw relevant conclusions.

Background: Milk production, physiological and biochemical traits have been shown to be highly influenced by the environment and management systems of different mammalian species. Methods: At a camel farm in the Al-Ahsa region, Majaheem and Sofor camels were monitored for the productive, physiological and biochemical traits. These camels were bred using an extensive management system, which typically involves free-ranging with minimal human intervention. Twenty she-camels of Majaheem and Sofor were monitored for recording lactation period, milk production and composition, reproductive efficiency and physiological indicators (rectal temperature, pulse rate and SPO2). In addition, blood samples were collected for determination of health profiles (hematological and biochemical traits). Result: The results indicated that Majaheem breed had higher lactation period, milk production in addition to higher fat, protein, lactose and mineral (%) as compared to Sofor breed. Sofor she-camels needed fewer inseminations to get pregnant compared to Majaheem she-camels. The Majaheem she-camels had significantly lower (P less than 0.05) RBCs, PCV, Hb and WBCs compared to Sofor she-camels. In addition, the Majaheem she-camels had significantly lower values in all of plasma biochemical profiles when compared to Sofor she-camels. In conclusion, productive, reproductive and health profile characters might be different due to breed variation and/or milk production.

Modernization of cloud-based healthcare and financial systems, compliance, and data security are complex issues as companies shift their legacy infrastructures to distributed infrastructures. This change harmonizes innovation needs with high regulatory demands in multifaceted frameworks such as HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS, and SOX. The combination of old systems and new cloud systems also introduces special vulnerabilities to the migration processes, where advanced technical measures, such as encryption and secure exchange of data protocols, extensive key management, and identity systems are needed. The application of the standards of interoperability, including HL7 FHIR and ISO 20022, facilitates safe information exchange and ensures compliance with the help of special validation tools. Organizations can achieve a sustainable architecture by addressing security and compliance concerns as design elements and not as an appended element to the current architecture to generate a resilient system to guarantee that the regulations are observed, even in a changing technological environment.

Purpose The availability of agricultural credit for smallholder farmers in developing countries is widely recognised as crucial for improving their productivity. This paper explores the loan repayment behaviour of smallholder farmers in farmer-based organisations (FBOs) under Ghana's government and NGO credit programs. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on 30 qualitative interviews with FBO members, agricultural extension agents and NGO officials in two administrative districts in Ghana. Findings Credit recovery is higher under NGO credit programs than government programs. The source of credit and the level of participation by the credit provider primarily shape the loan repayment behaviour of smallholder farmers in FBOs. The mere formation of FBOs to deliver credit to smallholder farmers would not necessarily lead to improved credit delivery and loan recovery – particularly during the early stages of FBO development – unless the loan providers participate effectively in the activities of FBOs such as ensuring the timely delivery of loans, monitoring how the loan is invested and participating actively in loan recovery during harvesting of crops. Practical implications More than just setting up FBOs is required to ensure effective repayment among FBOs and their members. Who provides the credit (i.e. whether NGO or government) and the effective participation of loan providers are necessary for effective loan recovery. Originality/value A significant novelty of this paper is that it compares credit recovery in FBOs that were set up and managed by both government agencies and NGOs, which reveals that loan repayment among FBOs is higher under NGO credit programs than government credit programs.

Knee–spine interactions suggest that limited knee extension may elevate spinal loading during ambulation in older adults. This study aimed to estimate lumbar intervertebral disc loads during walking in patients with knee extension limitations using a 3D musculoskeletal model and examine their relationship with sagittal alignment. Seventeen adults with radiographic knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren–Lawrence ≥ 2) underwent whole-spine lateral radiography and 3D gait analysis with force plates. A patient-scaled AnyBody model was used to compute intervertebral disc compression forces (T12/L1–L5/S1). Participants were categorized into two groups based on knee extension angle (KEA): a limitation cohort (deficit ≥ 10°) and a non-limitation cohort (<10°). Peak compression force (PCF) and mean compression force were normalized to body weight. The limitation group showed a smaller pelvic incidence and a larger sagittal vertical axis. PCF was significantly increased at the thoracolumbar and upper lumbar levels (T12/L1, L1/2, L2/3, and L3/4), whereas the mean forces remained unchanged. Knee extension limitation is associated with higher peak upper lumbar disc loading during gait, supporting the targeted management of knee extension in older adults at risk of spinal degeneration.

Genetically modified (GM) maize holds significant potential to enhance agricultural productivity, food security, and farm returns. Yet, varying technical efficiency levels have been reported across countries, coupled with different levels of effectiveness of agricultural extension services, which could enhance high efficiency. This systematic review examines the impact of agricultural extension services on the technical efficiency of GM maize adoption in sub-Saharan Africa. A literature search across multiple databases identified 68 peer-reviewed studies (2011–2024) that focused on technical efficiency and extension services. The review found that effective extension services significantly improve technical efficiency in GM maize adoption. However, challenges such as limited information, strict regulations, high seed costs, and biosafety concerns hinder adoption. The review highlights the importance of targeted support for smallholder farmers and calls for tailored extension programs that address farmers’ specific needs. Additionally, encouraging collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities is essential for developing inclusive extension strategies that bridge knowledge gaps and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aimed to build expert consensus about the most significant barriers as well as solutions/strategies for extension and development professionals to design and implement gender transformative smallholder agricultural commercialization interventions. Design/Methodology/Approach We used a three-round mixed-methods Delphi approach to facilitate consensus among 23 extension and development experts specializing in gender and smallholder agricultural systems. Findings Experts reached anonymous agreement on only one barrier (from 57 in Round 1) – project cycles are too short to realize long-term transformative change. They agreed on 12 solutions/strategies (from 56 in Round 1), on topics ranging from project design to gender analysis to internal transformation to working with donors. Practical Implications Experts argue that extension professionals are at the forefront of reducing significant gender gaps in agri-food systems. This study helps agricultural extension and development organizations and practitioners address barriers and advance their capacities to design and implement gender transformative approaches focusing on smallholder agricultural commercialization. Theoretical Implications Experts’ divergence should be further explored about whether gender transformative approaches are best facilitated from a foundation of directly targeting deeply rooted structures and norms or whether ‘easier to reach’ gender issues should first be addressed. Originality/Value This study brings together previously fragmented knowledge – via a systematic consensus process – for others to learn from experts’ agreement and divergence.

The study focused on climate change policy implementation gaps among smallholder farmers in Laikipia County in Kenya. Climate change policies were developed by national and county governments to support climate change mitigation and adaptation in order to enhance food security and community resilience. However, little is known about the gaps in implementation of these policies among communities, which are severely affected by impacts of climate change. Using semi-structured household questionnaires, focused group discussion and key informant interviews with a sample of smallholder farmers and stakeholders drawn during community-led initiatives, local administration meetings and agricultural extension workshops in Laikipia County, results show that a wide range of policies on tree planting, water management, forest conservation and riparian and riverine protection were communicated by county and national governments, but only few of the smallholder farmers implemented them, thereby causing a very wide policy-practice gap.

ABSTRACT Purpose Despite the growing use of multimedia in agricultural extension, structured methodologies for instructional video development remain underexplored. This study presents a systematic framework for designing and validating educational videos, using tomato cultivation as a case study. Methodology This study was performed in five steps: development of the script for an instructional video on recommended tomato cultivation; content validation of script by subject-matter specialists; development of video; content validation of videos by subject-matter specialists; and cognitive testing by 30 farmers regarding the understanding of the items until mean and median scores ≥4, with significant inter-rater agreement, according to the Mann-Whitney test. Findings Final script covered eight topics, including nursery raising, field preparation, seedling hardening, irrigation, weed management, pest control, harvesting, and post-harvest management. Validation of script required three rounds over four months. The scenes were filmed, edited and the final videos were watched by 30 tomato growers, who gave scores greater than four for all topics, with highest mean was ‘Hardening of Seedlings’ with mean score of 4.90 and lowest score was ‘Post-Harvest Management’ with mean of 4.33. Agreement among farmers was also significant (p < .001). Practical Implications The validated framework offers a scalable model for instructional video development in agricultural extension, ensuring scientifically accurate and farmer-accessible content adaptable to various crops and systems. Theoretical Implication This study reinforces the Delphi technique for expert validation and highlights iterative user feedback in refining educational tools. Originality/Value It offers a transferable approach, addressing gaps in validated multimedia tools for agricultural extension.

Electricity, as the "lifeline" of the national economy, supports industrial production, livelihood security, and social operation. Its stable supply is directly related to the overall economic and social development. In recent years, China's power industry has accelerated its transformation, with an increase in the proportion of new energy generation, the popularization of smart grid technology, and the expansion of production scale. At the same time, the complexity of processes and safety risks have also significantly increased. Traditional thermal power plants are facing equipment aging and maintenance pressure, while new energy stations are greatly affected by climate and geographical environment. In addition, some enterprises tend to prioritize efficiency over safety, resulting in frequent safety accidents. This not only causes casualties and economic losses, but may also lead to regional power outages, affecting social stability. In this context, the safety shortcomings in power production management have gradually become prominent, such as weak safety awareness, ineffective system implementation, extensive equipment management, and insufficient personnel capabilities, which urgently need to be addressed. Therefore, in-depth research on safety issues and countermeasures in power production management is of great practical significance for ensuring the stability of the power system and promoting high-quality development of the industry.

The escalating concerns of environmental protection and global food security are exacerbated by biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought, heat waves, cold shocks, and flooding, all of these significantly reduce crop yields and threaten food supply. Climate change amplifies these challenges, imposing a severe impact on agricultural productivity and food security globally. To address these challenges, it is crucial to enhance food production through the development of climate resilient crops, with a focus on crops that are resistant to both abiotic and biotic stresses. This can be achieved through conventional breeding, biotechnology, and advanced omics techniques such as transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. These approaches have illuminated key genes, proteins, and metabolic pathways that are critical for improving crop resilience. Sustainable farming practices, including intercropping, agroforestry, and the use of biofertilizers and biochar, are also key strategies for improving soil structure and water retention. Furthermore, supportive policies such as agricultural extension services, collaboration between public and private sectors, and farmer education on climate resilient crops are essential for fostering climate resilience in agriculture. This review consolidates current knowledge and highlights the role of these strategies in tackling food insecurity, with a focus on the genomic innovations that underpin climate resilience in plants.

This study aims to analyze the characteristics and competence levels of Independent Agricultural Extension Workers (IAEW) in Tanah Datar Regency. The research employed a descriptive quantitative method with a survey approach involving 85 respondents selected through a census technique. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews, then analyzed using frequency and percentage tabulations. The findings show that most IAEWs are aged ≥50 years (62.81%), have a senior high school education (56.4%), and possess 4–6 years of extension experience (35.9%). Psychologically, the majority demonstrate high motivation (52.6%), broad cosmopolitan orientation (46.1%), and strong creativity and innovation (50%). Overall, the IAEW competence level falls into the moderate category (61.53%), followed by low (21.80%) and high (16.67%). The technical dimension shows the highest competence, while managerial, institutional, coordination, and collaboration aspects need further strengthening. These results highlight the importance of continuous managerial and institutional capacity-building programs to enhance the role of IAEWs as strategic partners of government extension workers in promoting sustainable agricultural development.

ABSTRACT As a novel approach to agricultural extension, digital technology services are instrumental in promoting the exchange of information and advancing the modernization of the agricultural sector. Utilizing data from 1475 fruit and vegetable growers in Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Shandong provinces, this study employs a Multivariate Ordered Logistic Model and a Bootstrap adjustment effect test to investigate the influence and mechanisms of farmers' cognition towards digital agricultural technology extension service (DATES) on their pro-environment behaviour within a policy support context. The findings reveal that: (1) farmers' cognition of the content, tools, and prospects of DATES positively impact their pro-environment behaviour, and the variables such as technology, knowledge, policy information cognition, and prospect cognition are the most influential; (2) the establishment of government network platforms, incentive subsidy measures, and government-led network training positively moderate the relationship between farmers' cognition and their pro-environment behaviour; (3) among the control variables, female household heads, higher education levels, and participation in agricultural cooperatives positively influence farmers' pro-environmental behaviour in the context of DATES. These results underscore the importance of cognitive factors and policy interventions in promoting sustainable agricultural practices through digital technologies.

Physiological change to heat stress is composed of two components: heat load which rises from metabolism, heat exchange, radiation, and convection with the environment; and heat dissipation which is the release of the heat load through sweat evaporation. Environmental factors have a deep effect on small ruminant survival under extensive management. A study was conducted at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Livestock Teaching and Research Farm to evaluate the effects of housing type and season on the performance and some physiological parameters of Uda rams. A total of sixty (60) yearling Uda rams were used in the study with twenty (20) rams in each season. A factorial completely randomized design (3x5) was used in this experiment with animals (4) representing replicates while housing types (5) and season (3) representing the factors (treatments). Four animals were allotted to each housing type with each animal serving as a replicate, the housing types were half wall with zinc roofing (HZ), half wall with thatch roofing (HT), full wall with zinc roofing (FZ), full wall with thatch roofing (FT) and finally natural without wall and roofing (N). Data were collected each season. At the beginning and end of each season, the Adaptability coefficient of the Rams was determined. The data generated were analyzed. In the hot season, at the beginning of the hot season, animals placed in N have higher adaptability while those in FZ have the lowest. At the end of the rainy season, animals placed in FZ had lower adaptability compared to the other treatments based on the Rhode test. In the cold season, there was no significant difference (P&lt;0.05) between the treatments both at the beginning and end of the season based on the Benezeras test. The highest adaptability was found for animals placed in N while the lowest was in HT based on all the tests. RY test showed that animals placed in N had a higher (P&lt;0.05) adaptability coefficient compared to those placed in HT, FT and FZ.

This historical research study examines the creation and purpose of the Freedom Farm Cooperative through the lived experiences of its founder, Fannie Lou Hamer. The objectives include describing who Fannie Lou Hamer was, the purpose of the Freedom Farm Cooperative, and how Fannie and the Freedom Farm initiative inspired African American contributions to agriculture. The research employs critical race theory to explore both historical and contemporary challenges faced by marginalized communities in agriculture, especially regarding how systemic racism continues to impact agricultural engagement, education, and extension programming. Born into the oppressive sharecropping system in the Mississippi Delta, Fannie’s life was marked by racial injustice, poverty, and food insecurity. These hardships fueled her drive to achieve Black self-sufficiency and empowerment, separate from the unjust systems impacting her and her community. The Freedom Farm Cooperative was created as a response to these inequities, aiming to nurture a Black-led community that could meet its own needs for food, employment, education, housing, and financial support. In addition to teaching members essential skills for self-sustainability, Mrs. Hamer used this initiative to empower her community to exercise political and social freedoms as well. Through the story of the Freedom Farm Cooperative, this study seeks to inspire transformative economic and social change, offering lessons for modern extension and education efforts to increase minority participation in agriculture.