Sources Of Agricultural Information Research Articles

تنفيذ الزراع لأساليب المكافحة المتكاملة لآفات محصول البصل بمركز قطور محافظة الغربية

هدف البحث إلى التعرف على مستوى تنفيذ الزراع المبحوثين لأساليب المكافحة المتكاملة لآفات محصول البصل بمركز قطور- محافظة الغربية، وتحديد إسهام المتغيرات المستقلة ذات العلاقة الارتباطية في تفسير التباين الحادث في درجة تنفيذهم لهذه الأساليب، والتعرف على الطرق الإرشادية التي يفضلها الزراع المبحوثين للحصول على معارفهم في هذا المجال، والتعرف على أسباب عدم تنفيذهم لهذه الأساليب. تم إجراء هذا البحث بمحافظة الغربية باعتبارها من أكبر محافظات الجمهورية زراعة لمحصول البصل (49981 فدان)، وبنفس المعيار تم اختيار مركز قطور (10235 فدان)، ومنه تم اختيار ثلاث قرى بطريقة عشوائية فكانت قرية أبو جندى، وسملا، والحراملة، تلى ذلك اختيار عينة عشوائية منتظمة بنسبة 10% من زراع القرى الثلاث المختارة فبلغ حجم العينة 179 مبحوث، وقد تمثلت الأساليب الاحصائية المستخدمة في تحليل البيانات وعرض النتائج في: التكرارات والنسب المئوية، والمتوسط الحسابي، والانحراف المعياري، ومعامل الارتباط البسيط لبيرسون، ونموذج التحليل الارتباطي والانحداري المتعدد والتدريجي الصاعد (Step-wise). وتمثلت أهم النتائج فيما يلى: 1- تبين أن 60.3% من المبحوثين ذوي مستوى تنفيذ متوسط للتوصيات الخاصة بالمكافحة الزراعية، وأن 77.7% منهم ذوي مستوى تنفيذ متوسط للتوصيات الخاصة بالمكافحة الكيميائية، وأن قرابة 51% منهم ذوي مستوى تنفيذ متوسط للتوصيات الخاصة بالمكافحة الميكانيكية، وأن قرابة 70% منهم ذوي مستوى تنفيذ منخفض للتوصيات الخاصة بالمكافحة الحيوية. 2- أكثر المتغيرات إسهامًا في تفسير التباين الحادث في المتغير التابع كانت متغيرات: عدد سنوات الخبرة في زراعة محصول البصل، والحالة التعليمية للمبحوث، ومتوسط إنتاج الفدان من محصول البصل، ودرجة التعرض لمصادر المعلومات الزراعية، والرضا عن العائد الاقتصادي من زراعة محصول البصل، ودرجة توفر الخدمات الإرشادية، والغرض من الزراعة، والاتجاه نحو الإرشاد الزراعي. 3- أكثر الطرق الإرشادية التي يفضلها المبحوثين كانت الزيارات الحقلية والمكتبية والندوات والاجتماعات الإرشادية والحقول الإرشادية، بينما كانت أقل الطرق ترتيبًا في تفضيل المبحوثين المطبوعات الإرشادية والانترنت والزيارات المنزلية. 4- تبين أن عدم معرفة المبحوثين بهذه التوصيات وارتفاع أسعار تطبيقها، وانخفاض أسعار البصل، وتدنى دور الإرشاد الزراعي في تطبيق هذه التوصيات كانت أهم أسباب عدم تنفيذهم لهذه الأساليب.

ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’ INFORMATION SOURCES UNDER SHELTERBELT PROJECTS IN THE FRONTLINE STATES OF NORTH WESTERN NIGERIA

The study analyzed farmers’ information sources under shelterbelt projects in the frontline States of North Western Nigeria. The respondents used were 450. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Mean age of the respondents was 35 years; mean household size was 12 persons; mean farming experience was 12 years; and mean farm size was 6 hectares. About 67% of the respondents were married. Their sources of agricultural information of 29.1% was extension agents, radio accounted for 27.8%, family member (13.3%) and non-governmental organizations/community-based organizations (NGOs/CBOs) occupy 6.7%, print publications (4.4%) and internet (3.1%). Also, extension contact (30.0%), extension agents (25.5%) visited for two times, 18.9% were visited three (3) times, 11.1% were visited four (4) times annually, 7.8% were visited for five (5) times, and 6.7% were visited more than five (5) times annually. The results revealed that 61.1% listened to agricultural program through radio regularly. Majority (72.2%) watched/listened to agricultural program through television once in a week, 18.9% watched/listened twice a week and; 2.2% of the respondents were regular and 6.7% were irregular. Most (40.0%) preferred to radio program as their means of communication. Group meeting (extension agents/farmers) was only 5.1%, agriculture shows/field visit/tours occupy (11.1%) and extension agents interpersonal visit (8.9%), television (7.1%), newspaper and magazine (4.4%); and journals/conference proceedings and the internet services was 2.2%, respectively. The recommended conversion of the shelterbelts to recreational parks and tourism; reducing criminal activities like Indian hemp smoking, theft and kidnapping in the belt; and also, local communities should be allowed to participate in the management and sharing of revenue from the shelterbelts.

Effect of Agricultural Extension Services in Minimizing Post-Harvest Losses of Yam Produce in Benue State, Nigeria

The study assessed the effect of agricultural extension services in minimizing post-harvest losses of yam in Benue State. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 240 yam producers. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean and standard deviation, post-harvest management coefficient (PMC) and binary logistic regression (BLR) were used to analyse the data. Results on producers’ capabilities to manage PHLs revealed that 58.5% of the total yam produce (PMC = 0.585) was preserved while a sizeable proportion (41.5%) of losses were incurred after harvest. The availability of agricultural extension services showed that, the provision of agricultural information ( ̅ = 1.54), access to agricultural markets ( ̅ = 1.50) and facilitation of the formation of producers’ self-help groups ( ̅ = 1.50) were the prime extension services rendered in the study area. Empirical result on the effect of agricultural extension services on PHLs management revealed that the number of agricultural extension services (P ≤ 0.01) and access to agricultural credit (P ≤ 0.01) exerted positive and significant influence on PHLs management. Also, the level of producers’ education (P ≤ 0.1) enhanced significantly and consistently, their capabilities to minimize PHLs. Conversely, the number of agricultural information sources (P ≤ 0.1) exerted negative and significant influence on yam producers’ capabilities to manage post-harvest losses. The study concludes that agricultural extension services are potent in the management of post-harvest losses. The study thus recommends the provision of agricultural extension service by service agencies, given that the capacities of yam producers’ in minimizing post-harvest losses could be enhanced significantly and consistently with increase in the numbers of agricultural extension services at their disposal, and the enhancement of access to agricultural extension services by yam producers, individually and cooperatively, to curtail the incidences incidence of post-harvest losses on yam.

Farmers’ Use of Social Media and its Implications for Agricultural Extension: Evidence from Thailand

Social media are viewed as having potential for agricultural extension. This study therefore surveyed social media use by farmers in a developing country, and their role as a source of agricultural information. To this end, 365 farmers in Chiang Mai, Thailand, were sampled and interviewed using a questionnaire. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents (81.92%) did not adopt social media and, these remained marginal as a source of agricultural information for farmers. Those using social media (18.08%) employed certain applications, i.e., LINE, Facebook and YouTube, mainly for communication, new updates and entertainment. Younger farmers and farmers with a higher formal education related to social media use significantly. To fully harness the potentials of social media for agricultural extension, more farmers need to be encouraged to use them, while relevant agencies also are required to provide support for this effort, such as staff training in social media use, and enabling a social media policy.

Factors associated with adoption of indigenous biscuit processing technology by mothers of school-going children in Ogun State, Nigeria

Wheat is the conventional flour in biscuit manufacture. However, the use of wheat is not economical due to the fact that huge foreign reserve is used in its importation in Nigeria. In addition, wheat-based foods are associated with celiac disease, hence the use of non-wheat crops like tubers and legumes in biscuit processing is desirable. A previous study had developed a nutritionally improved biscuit from underutilized crops, such as sweet potato, cooking banana and pigeon pea. The present study examined factors associated with adoption of the indigenous biscuit processing technology using non-wheat flours by mothers of school going children in Ogun State, Nigeria. A-multistage sampling procedure was utilized to select 120 respondents from the list of 1,123 registered farmers in 10 extension blocks in Ogun State. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents. Respondents were taught the various stages of biscuit processing through demonstration. Knowledge about the various stages of biscuit processing was measured on a 5-point Likert Scale. The five points used were: extremely understood, moderately understood, somewhat understood, slightly understood and not understood. Level of adoption indicates the psychological stages that an individual passes through before making a final decision to use a particular innovation. Adoption Level was thus measured on Knowledge, Persuasions, Decision, Confirmation and Continuation decision. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance, Chi square, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results revealed the mean age of respondents to be 40.35 ± 10.33 years. Most respondents were traders, and the highest educational qualification was National Diploma (2.5%). The main sources of agricultural information were radio (64.2%) and extension agents (60%). There were high adoption rates in baking/production (87.7%) and flour blending (85.5%). Reasons for technology adoption were affordability (80.8%), availability of ingredients (81.7%) and relative advantage (80.8%). Adoption of technology was associated with age (r = 0.284, p < 0.05), quality of technology delivery (r = 0.267, p < 0.05), marital status (χ2 = 1.081, p < 0.05) and membership of association (χ2 = 12.055, p < 0.05). In conclusion, effective adoption of technology could be achieved among young married mothers.

Constraints faced by Progressive Farmers for Effective Utilization of Information through ICT and Suggestions for Better ICT Services in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an important source for sharing and receiving of agricultural information. The present study explored the constraints faced by farmers and suggestions for effective utilization of ICT services for agricultural information. The study was conducted in all villages of Nandyal Mandal of Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. 2021. Responses from the 120 farmers were collected through well-structured interview schedule. It was revealed that that lack of knowledge about ICT tools, poor condition of equipment, relevant information not received in time and awareness of new ICT service among farmers about the use of ICTs for the educational and agricultural purpose were the major constraints in ICT use. All these constraints can be overcome by implementing suggestions by farmers like; proper and improved infrastructural facilities at the village level, providing relevant information at a time and skill development updating with training, creating awareness regarding use of ICTs for educational and agricultural purpose. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis in finding relationships between variables. The findings show that most of the farmers in Nandyal Mandal that use ICTs as a source of agricultural information.

What influences uptake of alternative pest management practices by potato farmers? Evidence from six counties in Kenya

Potato pest and disease management has been dominated by chemical pesticides, despite their potential undesirable effects on the environment, food safety and human health. This study explores factors influencing intensity of uptake of alternative pest management practices among potato farmers in Kenya, through a survey of 1,002 farmers in six main potato growing counties in the country. A Poisson count model was used to determine the intensity of uptake of alternative pest management practices. On average, farmers employed five practices: weeding, fertilizer application, recommended spacing, scouting, and crop rotation. Age of respondent (older farmers) and utilization of face-to-face and participatory extension approaches were significantly and positively associated with intensity of uptake of alternative pest control practices. Passive sources of extension advice such as radio and television were inversely related to uptake intensity of alternative pest control practices. These findings underscore the efficacy of agricultural information sources that are practical in approach, as they have the greatest potential to influence farmers’ adoption decisions. Mass communication methods create awareness and provide information at low-cost, but are not sufficient in triggering behaviour change when used on their own. There is therefore need to integrate them with conventional extension approaches to achieve the duo benefit of scale and adoption. Keywords: Potato, Alternative pest management practices, Poisson count model, Kenya.

Credibility of Different Agricultural Information Sources Utilized by Farm Women of Uttarakhand

Credibility of agricultural information sources affects the adoption of new or improved agricultural practices by farmers. Credibility refers to perceived trustworthiness accorded to a source by its audience at any given time and situation. Therefore, Credible sources of agriculture information play major role in diffusion of agriculture innovations. This study was carried out in Nainital district of Uttarakhand state with specific objective to explore the relative credibility of information sources as accorded by the farm women of the region. A sample of 120 farm women was selected by PPS (Probability proportional to size) sampling method. The agriculture information sources were categorized into three broad heads namely personal localite, personal cosmopolite and mass media. It was found that majority (62.5%) of respondents had „medium‟ credibility towards agriculture information sources followed by 20 per cent having low credibility and only 17.5 per cent had high credibility to different agriculture information sources. It was further found that family members, KVK officials and newspaper were considered as the most credible sources of agricultural information among personal localite, personal cosmopolite and mass media sources.

Mass Media as a Source of Agricultural Information: An Overview of Literature

This research paper provides a systematic review of published research work by different research scholars regarding the role of communication channels in disseminating agricultural information and the diffusion of agricultural innovations among agriculturists. Findings of review are summarized with the help of reviewing methodology, major findings and implications of earlier published researches. The review depicts that there are significant variations in findings of the relevant researches some certain reasons like geographical, methodological and theoretical perspectives. It is hard to draw any specific conclusion about the role of a different communication channel in the agriculture sector. However, the review has revealed that the different channels of communication have a different role regarding the dissemination of agricultural information and diffusion of innovations amongst farmers.

Female Farmers’ Agricultural Information Needs and Food Production: A Case Study of Imbulpe ds Division in Sri Lanka

The study was conducted to find out female farmers’ agricultural information needs and their impact on food production, in the Imbulpe DS Division in Sri Lanka. Of the female farmers in the area, 238 were taken as the sample for the study from seven selected Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions in the area. Female farmers were selected by using a simple random sampling method from these purposively selected GN divisions. A pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaire survey was used as the primary data collection method from March to July 2019. Data analysis was done by using descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis. The result revealed that the majority (62.6%) of respondents were middle aged (40-59 years), married, and belonged to families with 4-5 members. Most respondents (64.3 %) had studied up to junior secondary education level. Their average farm land size is 0.84 acres and they have farming experience of about 15 years. Most of the respondents mentioned that they had obtained higher levels of information needs about improved crop varieties. In addition, female farmers reported that they moderately need information on application of agrochemicals, improved market systems and modern farming technologies. Extension agents and other female farmers act as their major sources of agricultural information and ICT equipment acts as the least important agricultural information source in this area. Moreover, there is a significant positive association between the agricultural information needs and food production. Therefore, providing necessary agricultural information and enhanced utilization of ICT tools for agricultural information sources, and encouraging female farmers to participate in farming societies will lead to enhanced food production in this area.

Analysis of Perceived Importance of Extension Research Topics by Extension Researchers in the Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Research Institute

The main objective of this research was to analyze the importance of the extension research topics among the extension researchers at the Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Research Institute AERDRI. This objective was achieved through following sub-objectives: (1) Identifying some of the personal and professional characteristics of the researchers of AERDRI. (2) Analyzing the research plans of the (AERDRI) during the period (2012-2017) and classifying them according to the research topics of the (AERDRI). (3) Determining the current and expected importance degrees of the research topics of the research plans of the AERDRI based on the viewpoint of the respondents. (4) Identifying the respondents' opinions related to the extent to which the extension research topics were in line with the research requirements of the 2030 strategy for sustainable agricultural development. This research was conducted on the members of the research body of the three extension research departments of the AERDRI, who hold the degree of researcher and above: Extension Methods and Audio/Visual Aids Research Department, Extension Programs Research Department, and Extension Organization and Training Research Department. This study was conducted on a systematic random sample of 65 respondents representing 52% of the total researchers working in the selected departments. The research data were collected by a pretested interview questionnaire during the period from July to August 2018.The spss.v.25 was used to analyze the data and the following statistical methods were used: Frequency tables, percentages, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, range, and t-test. The most important results were as follows: First: The personal and professional characteristics of the respondents: results showed that most respondents 70.76% are over 51 years of age. The percent age of Respondents of rural origins 47.70% was closer to those of urban residents 52.30%. About half of the respondents 49.24% work in the extension programs department. The research results indicated that 69.23% of the respondents have reached 18 years or more of their research experience. The number of published papers was high among 80% of the respondents. More than three quarters of the respondents 75.38% have a medium and low level of vocational training. The internet, conferences, seminars, workshops, and scientific lectures were the most important sources of agricultural information for the respondents, respectively. 81.54% of the total respondents have a low and medium level of job satisfaction. The research results indicated that some of the rules of behavior ranked high in terms of presence from the viewpoint of the respondents, namely: considering the personal rights of researchers participating in research 98.47%, objectivity in all stages of research 96.92%, and considering research topics needs and problems of local communities 95.38%. The results showed that 69.23% of the total respondents believe that the level of influence of the organizations related to their research work was low or medium. Based on the respondents’ opinions the most important organizations affecting their research work were: Agricultural Research Center, Central Administration for Agricultural Extension, and the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. Second:Determining the current and expected importance degrees of the research topics of the research plans of the AERDRI: The most important research topics that ranked low according to the current importance were:rural tourism, the possibility of providing paid counseling service, the role of distance education media in extension work, and the level of performance of trainers for presentation and presentation skills. While the most important topics according to the expected importance were: the role of distance education media in extension work, the current and future extension role of cooperative societies, and the extension role of agricultural services institutions. Third: the level of compatibility of the extension research topics with the general objectives of the 2030 Strategy for Sustainable Agricultural Development: The research results showed that about three quarters of the respondents (73.85%) believe that the level of compatibility of the studied research subjects with the general objectives of the 2030 strategy is low or medium

Agricultural Information Need of Smallholder Farmers in Chitwan District, Nepal

Agricultural information is very essential for smallholder farmers to increase farm production and productivity. However, there is no proper access to accurate and adequate agricultural information to smallholder farmers. This paper attempts to identify the existing agricultural information source and the agricultural information need of the smallholder farmers along with usefulness of the provided agricultural information. Household level data were obtained from four wards of Bharatpur metropolitan of Chitwan district during 2019. The result showed agrovet shops as most common source of agricultural information for smallholder farmers. The most needed agricultural information was about input market and prices followed by disease and pest control. Moderately useful agricultural information was provided to smallholder farmers. Findings of this research suggest that context specific agricultural information should be provided through the existing channels to the smallholder farmers.
 Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 9(2): 94-97.

SOURCES AND CHANNELS OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION USED BY SOYBEAN FARMERS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

The study was carried out on sources and channels of agricultural information used by soybean farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 1,075 sample size out of 25,600 farmers’ population from the study area. Findings indicated that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) had mean of 4.50 and standard deviation (SD) of 0.670, the Banks with mean of 4.20 and SD of 1.165, were the most consulted institutional sources of agricultural information for the farmers. The print media that had mean of 3.24 with SD of 0.78) did not fare too well as sources for this group of farmers probably due to low literacy level. However, findings showed that government circular with mean of 3.80 and SD 1.078, newspapers or magazines with mean of 3.40 and SD of 1.280 fared better against extension posters with mean of 3.20 and SD of 1.400 and extension manual mean of 2.90 with SD of 1.136 which are more technical in content. The interpersonal sources that had mean of 4.22 with SD of 0.60 appeared to be more popular for sourcing agricultural information among soybean farmers. Customers with mean of 4.50 and SD of 0.808, and Village heads with mean of 4.40 and SD of 0.490 ranked higher against other interpersonal sources. The on-farm demonstration with mean of 4.30 and SD of 0.782, and farmers training with mean of 4.20 and SD of 0.872 were the most preferred channels for agricultural information in the study area. The study, therefore recommended that soybean farmers should be encouraged to source for more information from corporate bodies and through electronic devices, in particular, the use of mobile phone to link with information providers. Soybean farmers should make optimal use of the various channels of agricultural information available in Niger State.

Towards a Revolutionized Agricultural Extension System for the Sustainability of Smallholder Livestock Production in Developing Countries: The Potential Role of ICTs

The creation of commercialization opportunities for smallholder farmers has taken primacy on the development agenda of many developing countries. Invariably, most of the smallholders are less productive than commercial farmers and continue to lag in commercialization. Apart from the various multifaceted challenges which smallholder farmers face, limited access to extension services stands as the underlying constraint to their sustainability. Across Africa and Asia, public extension is envisioned as a fundamental part of the process of transforming smallholder farmers because it is their major source of agricultural information. Extension continues to be deployed using different approaches which are evolving. For many decades, various authors have reported the importance of the approaches that effectively revitalize extension systems and have attempted to fit them into various typologies. However, there is a widespread concern over the inefficiency of these extension approaches in driving the sustainability of smallholder farming agenda. Further, most of the approaches that attempted to revolutionize extension have been developed and brought into the field in rapid succession, but with little or no impact at the farmer level. This paper explores the theory and application of agricultural extension approaches and argues the potential of transforming them using digital technologies. The adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as mobile phones and the internet which are envisaged to revolutionize existing extension systems and contribute towards the sustainability of smallholder farming systems is recommended.

Pengaruh Sumber Informasi dan Dukungan Kelembagaan terhadap Kemandirian Petani di Provinsi Sumatera Selatan

The weak independence of farmers in managing farming is characterized by weak levels of farmer production and selling prices that are still determined by market conditions. The information sources owned by farmers are not strong enough to help farmers in analyzing problems faced by farmers ranging from land preparation, cultivation, harvesting to post-harvest. Therefore, the study aimed to look at the influence of agricultural information sources on the support of the institutional environment of farmers on the independence of farmers. This research used a quantitative approach with survey methods in Ogan Ilir Districts and Banyuasin Districts, South Sumatera Province. This study used a sample of 294 farmers who joined farmer groups. This research showed that the weak source of information used by farmers and the low support of the institutional environment results in the farmers' independence being quite weak. Farmers have not been able to build competitiveness, filter and partnership in the scope of their lives up to farmer groups. The independent model of farmers was able to explain 91% of sources of information and institutional environment support. Therefore, it was necessary to strengthen accurate, correct, in-depth information and adapt it to local site conditions.

Collaborative Model to Increase Empowerment of Dryland Farmer (Case Study West Halmahera District, North Maluku Province)

Agricultural development policy focused on irrigated paddy fields (which are found mostly on Java Island), has abandoned the development of dryland agriculture, particularly the empowerment of dryland farmers. The study aimed to describe characteristics of dryland farmers and their access to environmental resources, therefore developing a collaborative model to increase dry lands farmer empowerment. The study was designed as a quantitative method and used descriptive explanatory. Data collection was carried out by survey methods and the analysis technique used descriptive statistics. The results of the study showed that the characteristics of dryland farmers have productive age, having low education, but have long experience in farming is more than 14 years, also have a large area of land and an average income of farmer more than the average national and the number of family members is more than four. Farmers’ access to environmental resources is a low category, namely access to production inputs and agricultural equipment, capital supporting and financial facilities, marketing, infrastructure, and transportation, as well as the availability of agricultural information and innovation sources. A collaborative empowering model was proposed to increase farmer empowerment. The collaboration model involved multi-stakeholders.

Biological yields through agricultural extension activities and services: A case study from Al-Baha region - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

PurposeThis research determines the extent to which farmers benefit from agricultural extension activities and services through realizing higher biological crop yields in the Al-Baha region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the nature of the relationship between the personal, economic and social characteristics of farmers and the degree to which they benefit from agricultural extension activities and services are studied.MethodologyA simple random sample representing the community of 315 farmers was drawn. Data were collected through a personal interview with a pre-tested questionnaire to satisfy the objectives of the study. Data are subjected to analyses and are interpreted in terms of percentages, arithmetic averages, and standard deviations in addition to the simple Pearson correlation coefficients.ResultsThe results show that most of the respondents depend on personal experience, friends, family and neighbors, merchants and sellers of agricultural production supplies as sources of agricultural information for enhanced crop yields. Multiple regression analysis reveals that both the educational status and the agricultural information sources are important factors that increase farmers benefit from extension activities. Farmers receive most benefits from the extension activities and services from bringing in foreign workers, conducting field trips to farms, and identifying problems faced by farmers.Research limitations/implicationsThe outcome of this questionnaire limits generalization of the findings for other parts of the Kingdom due to geographical and natural resources variations.Practical implicationsThe personal and socio-economic characteristics of the surveyed population provide the extension service with insight into their composition – a basis to formulate workable extension programs. For the extension planners of the area, this effort provides a baseline study and may assist with targeting the appropriate farmers and catering the right solutions to the problems. Such a study will help devise meaningful extension programs and save time and resources.Originality/valueLittle previous research on the usefulness of the Extension Service has been conducted in the region.ConclusionsEffective, well-planned extension programs targeting the educated and mature farmers provided more benefits and helped them obtain higher crop yields.

AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION ACCESS OF FARMERS THROUGH RURAL RADIO AGRICULTURAL RADIO PROGRAMS

This study was entitled Agricultural Information Access of Farmers through Rural Radio Agricultural Radio Programs. This study was designed and conducted to determine the information access and utilization of rural farmers through the communication strategies employed by Radyo Natin Guimba. (RNG) It was conducted at Barangay San Andres and Barangay Guiset, Guimba, Nueva Ecija, the Philippines using descriptive research design. The samples were chosen randomly. The age range of 46-49 was the most active group of respondents and the majority were males and married. Findings also reveal that almost half of the respondents were elementary graduates with 119,392 pesos as the average annual income. The average year in farming among the respondents was 24 years while the average size of the farm, 1.84 hectares. Moreover, the average value of the production of rice per hectare of the respondents was 85.13. The media sources of agricultural information among the respondents were brochures, pamphlets, television, radio, seminar, and fellow farmers. The majority of the respondents were farmers who listened to a radio station. The communication strategies which the RNG employed in the implementation of agricultural radio programs were information generation, expert invitation, production of spots, plugs, and jingles, production of communication materials, straight talk programming, office call and farm visit, farmers’ forum, community organizing, volunteer recruitment and involvement, and resources and support generation. Despite the communication strategies described in the present study, there were also problems encountered by RNG in disseminating agricultural information and in the implementation of agricultural programs. These were high turnover of staff, limited production of spots, plugs, and jingles, the sustainability of the production of communication materials, and time availability of rural farmers in conducting farm visits and farmers’ fora. In this study, the hypotheses were rejected generally because there was no significant relationship between the selected socio-economic of the respondents, and information access and utilization through Radyo Natin Guimba.

Rural Farmers’ Perceptions of the Adoption of Internet-Enabled Computer in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

ABSTRACT Unstructured interviews were used to examine the perceptions of farmers about internet-enabled computers using the five main attributes of innovation as an analytic lens. Findings show that internet-enabled computers have relative advantages over other means of obtaining information but rural farmers experience challenges with accessibility. The farmers’ sources of agricultural information are incompatible with their needs, suggesting the need for internet-enabled computers. However, the inability to use internet-enabled computers by the participants was cited as a disadvantage. The findings about trialability show that most of the agricultural information obtained through internet-enabled computers did not work when applied to the local context. Positive perceptions by rural farmers about the observability of the effects of the internet-enabled computers for agricultural information were apparent. The findings reflect opportunities and challenges about adoption of internet-enabled computers by poor rural farmers. Based on the analysed data further studies are suggested.

Sustainable children investment in guinea pig production and its implications for extension services

This study was conducted specifically to identify the level of children investment in guinea pigs production, the major sources of fund for the children, the methods of communication between the children and their source of information, and to determine their level of performance in guinea pig production. Implications for extension service were also determined. The children who invested in the production of guinea pigs within llesa East Local Government Area of Osun State constituted the study population. Simple random sampling technique was used to select twenty-five percent of the population as sample. To this end respondents were selected and interviewed for the study using structured interview schedule. The data collected were analysed through frequency counts, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Correlation analysis was used to establish relationship between the variable of the study. Findings revealed that all the respondents were male secondary school children, aged between 11 and 20 years. The major sources of information were friends (100%), successful farmers (27.3%) Osun State Agricultural Development Programme (OSADEP) 27.3%), interpersonal visits (92.796) and field demonstration (81.8%). Majority (52.7%) of the respondents had between 1 and 4 guinea pigs while only few (9.1%) had between 15 and 19 guinea pigs. Positive and significant correlation existed between the sources of agricultural information and the performance of children in guinea pig production (r=0.313) and between methods of communication (when combined) and performance of respondents in guinea pigs production (r=0.291), Based on the findings, it was posited that the agricultural extension system should identify and reach the children guinea pig producer with programmes intended to encourage sustainable guinea pigs production.