scholarly journals Transfer of Technology (Tot) Skills Factors Contributing to Work Performance Among Extension Agents in Malaysian Cocoa Board, Peninsular Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Bahiah Mohamed Haris
Keyword(s):  
Work Performance ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Main Function ◽  
Extension Agent ◽  
Transfer Of Technology ◽  
Cocoa Products ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Cocoa Farmers ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The main function of agricultural extensionists is to facilitate learning and disseminate new knowledge and technologies through non-formal educational settings. This will lead to improved agricultural productivity and increase farmers’ income. In the lens of the cocoa production scenario in Malaysia, it used to be a popular crop as this sector became the third-largest producer in the world since the 1980s, however that has changed over the years. Despite the reduced size of land use and the dropping production of cocoa over the past decades, exports of cocoa beans and cocoa products are growing steadily each year. Thus, with the overwhelming demand for Malaysian chocolate products from other regions, cocoa production should be boosted and not overlooked. Transfer of Technology (ToT) can be seen as the main catalyst that can improve farmers’ performance through extension agent capabilities, this study will determine the factors of ToT skills that contribute to the work performance of extension agents in the Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB). A total of 353 productive cocoa farmers were employed in this study to evaluate the work performance of extension agents using a structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using descriptive and regression analyses. The results indicated that all the ToT skills (technical skill, technology delivery skill, and evaluation skill) are significant (p < 0.05) towards the work performance of extension agents. The R2 value of 0.520 implies that the three contributors explain about 52% of the variance in the work performance in this study. Hence, this shows the importance of ToT skills in improving the work performance of extension agents, particularly in the MCB and cocoa industry in Malaysia.

scholarly journals Influence of Human Resource Development Skills Towards Work Performance of Agriculture Extension Agent

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmin Arif Shah ◽  
Nur Bahiah Mohamed Haris ◽  
Muhammad Faiq Hafiz Abd Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Resource Development ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Extension Agent ◽  
Agriculture Extension

Agriculture extension primarily deals with the human resource development (HRD) skills as well as knowledge. In the agriculture scope, all extension agents must have the knowledge, training, and skills to fulfil the requirement as a good agricultural extension agent. As the profession of extension agents continues to grow, it is important to know the human resource development (HRD) skills gained by the extension agent of agriculture to measure their performance in the extension job. Thus, this study determines the influence of human resource development (HRD) skills factor with work performance among agriculture extension agent. This is descriptive and correlational research design. Using a quantitative survey methodology consists of 5 sections of questions (A, B, C, D and E). 182 respondents were participated in this study as a sample. Simple random sampling technique has been used to choose the sample. Data has been gathered from the respondents using a self-administered questionnaire. Data has been analysed using IBM SPSS version 25 to indicate the descriptive and inferential methods. In results, the level of HRD skills and performance of agricultural extension agent is moderate. All HRD skills show a positive and high correlation with agriculture extension agent work performance. The highest factor contributing to work performance is social skills followed by decision-making skills. The two factors from HRD skills (social and decision making) accounted for 72% significantly to the performance of the agriculture extension agent job. The main purpose of this study is to provide beneficial information’s for the extension agents, respondents and organizational framework in term of relationship between the work performance towards the agriculture sector in Malaysia. This study provides insights into the theory and practice of agriculture extension agents in Malaysia.

scholarly journals Assessment of Extension Officers Contribution to Cocoa Production in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1123-1128
Author(s):  
O.S. Oke ◽  
M.O. Nosiru ◽  
A.A. Ogunbela ◽  
J.T. Marizu ◽  
M.O. Lawah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cooperative Society ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
The Government ◽  
Multistage Sampling ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
Cocoa Farmers

This study was carried out to evaluate the extension officer contribution to cocoa production in Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used, where two hundred and sixteen questionnaires were distributed in Osun and Ondo state , the information gathered were analyzed using descriptive statistic such as; frequency and percentage, while chi-square analysis was used to analyze the data obtained. From the results, married (77.6%),  male (84.0%), secondary school holders (52.0%), between 40-49 (34.4%) years old farmers were seen as the highest cocoa producers. Extension training(64.0%), commercial agents(64.0%), fellowship(52.8%), self observation(76.0%) were the best source of information on extension service of cocoa farming , most respondents (65.0%); get extension training programme at regular basis, identified Constraints facing cocoa production in the study area includes deficient credit facilities, high cost of labour, bad road, poor marketing/storage facilities, lack of technical knowledge / assess to technical tools and so on. in view of afore mentioned result it is therefore recommended that the government should make loan available to the cocoa famers at very low interest rate and urge cocoa farmers to form cooperative society, strengthen their agricultural extension agents so that they will be able to rain cocoa farmers on the basic things they should know about primary processing such as fermentation and drying of cocoa beans in improving the quality in Nigeria to meet international market. Keywords: Assessment, Extension officer, Contribution, Farmers, Cocoa production

Work Performance of Extension Agents: Skills of Transfer of Technology and Human Resource Development in Cocoa Industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-96
Author(s):  
Murni Azureen Mohd Pakri ◽  
Salim Hassan ◽  
Oluwatoyin Olagunju ◽  
Mohd Yusoff Abd Samad ◽  
Ramle Kasin
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Resource Development ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Leadership Skill ◽  
Transfer Of Technology ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Agriculture Extension

Transfer of technology (ToT) and human resource development (HRD) are essential components to acknowledge extension agents’ performance. Understanding the foundations and implications of ToT and HRD is vital for improving agriculture extension agents in research and extension programmes. This study was designed to determine extension agents’ ToT and HRD skills to explain the work performance of Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) extension agents in East Malaysia. A total of 315 productive cocoa farmers exposed to the extension activities for a minimum of five years and had attended two basic training from the agency were selected to answer the questionnaire within a month. The researcher applied Krejie and Morgan formula to determine the sample size based on the population using stratified random sampling. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression and Pearson correlation analysis. Results showed a positive and moderate relationship between ToT and HRD towards work performance. However, from the six variables tested, only three variables were significant towards work performance, namely technical skill (p=0.000), leadership skill (p=0.015) and decision-making skill (p=0.000). Therefore, the extension agents’ skills must be strengthened, their working knowledge updated, and new concepts for developing agriculture that can fulfil complicated demand patterns, reduce poverty and pressure and increase productivity must be developed. This study also strengthens the iceberg model by adding six characteristics of skills in extension agents. The outcomes would contribute to the policymakers and MCB’s management in elevating the extension agents’ performance through training and developing ToT and HRD.

scholarly journals Enhancing Work Performance of Extension Agents among Cocoa Farmers in Malaysia: The Influence of Human Resource Development Skills

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwatoyin OLAGUNJU ◽  
Salim HASSAN ◽  
Mohd Yusoff Abd SAMAD ◽  
Ramle KASIN
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Skills ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Social Skill ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Leadership Skill ◽  
Cocoa Farmers ◽  
Decision Making Support

This study examines the relationships between human resource development skills (leadership, decision making support, and social skills) with the work performance of extension agents among cocoa farmers in Malaysia. The study used stratified sampling technique to select 668 cocoa farmers who were exposed to extension programs facilitated by extension agents of the Malaysian Cocoa Board in 3 regions of Malaysia. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses. The results show that cocoa farmers rated level of work performance, leadership, decision making support, and social skills as high. Significant and positive correlation (p < 0.01) existed between each variable and work performance. Regression analysis results showed that leadership skill, decision making support skill, and social skill were significant predictors to enhance work performance. The R2 value of 0.564 indicates that the 3 skills gave 56.4 % explanation of the variance in extension agents’ work performance. The results also suggested that decision making support skill (β = 0.321) was the most important factor that influenced work performance, followed by leadership skill and social skill. Hence, decision making support skill, leadership skill, and social skill should be taken into consideration in enhancing work performance, especially among farmers and the extension agents who work with them, for continuous performance improvement in their work. The skills that have been identified in this study can be integrated into both the pre-service and in-service training and development of extension agents in their line of work to improve their skills in sharing new technology.

scholarly journals Cocoa and Climate Change: Insights from Smallholder Cocoa Producers in Ghana Regarding Challenges in Implementing Climate Change Mitigation Strategies

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lord Ameyaw ◽  
Gregory Ettl ◽  
Kristy Leissle ◽  
Gilbert Anim-Kwapong
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Community Acceptance ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Cocoa Farmers ◽  
Change Mitigation

This study investigates the knowledge and perception of smallholder cocoa farmers on the potential impacts of climate change on cocoa production in Ghana. It addresses opinions on the inclusion of climate change mitigation strategies (such as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation—REDD+) into cocoa production, and potential obstacles and roles of stakeholders in ensuring community acceptance of such strategies in a unique multiple land use area—the Krokosua Hills Forest Reserve. Data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency and through survey of 205 cocoa farmers were assessed with Mann-Kendall, Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Farmers’ perceptions of changes in climate were notably diverse and did not always match historic weather data, but accurately described increases in temperature and drought which are linked to cocoa productivity. Farmers appreciate the importance of tree maintenance for ecosystem services but were skeptical of financially rewarding climate change strategies which favor tree protection. Cultural practices associated with cocoa production encourage carbon release and may pose a threat to the objectives of REDD+. Farmers’ experience on the land, interactions with other farmers, government extension agents and cocoa buyers all influence cocoa agroforestry practices in the area, and communication through existing entities (particularly extension agents) presents a pathway to community acceptance of climate change mitigation strategies. The study recommends reforms in REDD+ strategies to adopt flexible and participatory frameworks to facilitate adoption and acceptability due to pronounced heterogeneity in community perceptions and knowledge of climate change and related issues.

scholarly journals Fermented Cocoa Beans (Theobroma cacao L) in Southeast Aceh District

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Syariani Tambunan ◽  
Nico Syahputra Sebayang ◽  
Desi Sri Pasca Sari
Keyword(s):  
Theobroma Cacao ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Cocoa Beans ◽  
Agricultural Industry ◽  
Exchange Value ◽  
Cocoa Products ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Cocoa Farmers ◽  
Theobroma Cacao L

One of the productions of the agricultural industry that has a fairly high foreign exchange value for our country is cocoa, but our cocoa production is still of low quality. To get good quality cocoa, good processing must be done. Fermentation of cocoa beans is one way to improve the quality of cocoa so that it can be sold in national and international markets. The purpose of this activity is to help cocoa farmers, especially in Southeast Aceh district, in improving the quality of cocoa production, so that the cocoa products of Southeast Aceh farmers can compete in trade both locally and abroad. The implementation of this activity is carried out through training to improve the quality of cocoa. There are several activities, namely: Sorting Cocoa, peeling cocoa pods, fermenting cocoa pods for 5 days and the last step is drying until the moisture content of cocoa pods reaches 7%. The result of this activity is to increase the knowledge of cocoa farmers in Southeast Aceh Regency in order to improve the quality of cocoa beans, so that cocoa sales can be accepted and compete in the market.

Profile of migrants for cocoa production and agronomic characteristics of cocoa farms in Western Côte d'Ivoire

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 051-062
Author(s):  
Kpangui Kouassi Bruno ◽  
Sangne Yao Charles ◽  
Kouakou Kouassi Apollinaire ◽  
Koua Kadio Attey Noël ◽  
Koffi N'Guessan Achille
Keyword(s):  
Cote D'ivoire ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Côte D’Ivoire ◽  
The West ◽  
Cote D’Ivoire ◽  
Côte D'ivoire ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Migrant Farmers ◽  
Cocoa Farmers

The mountainous relief of the West of Côte d'Ivoire and the large savannahs next to forests didn’t make this zone very excellent for cocoa production. However, for the last decade, an important influx of farming population has been observed in this area. The objective of this study is to analyze the dynamics of the settlement of migrant farmers in the West region of Côte d’Ivoire, using the department of Biankouma as a case of study. So, individual surveys were conducted among 203 cocoa farmers from 15 villages in the department of Biankouma, who had migrated to this region, It was found that the majority of these farmers are natives of Côte d'Ivoire (38.3%) and non-natives (33.5%) from countries in the West Africa region. The migratory flow to this region is mainly internal, with 95.6% of farmers coming from 11 Districts and 55 localities in the country. While initially (i.e., before 1985), farmers came from towns near Duékoué (11.8%), these waves of movement from towns in neighboring districts (Bas-Sassandra and Sassandra-Marahoué) to the Western Region will experience their highest rates between 2002 and 2013. Observations drawn from our research findings support the hypothesis that the political-military crisis that the country has experienced has accentuated migratory flows of farmers for cocoa production in western Côte d'Ivoire and these migratory flows could be the cause of the degradation of forest cover in the Biankouma Department.

scholarly journals RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JOB SATISFACTION AND TEACHER WORK PERFORMANCE

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
pp. 111-119
Author(s):  
Aini Wizana Ismail ◽  
Kamal Ab Hamid ◽  
Shahrizal Badlishah
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Education Reform ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Distribution Method ◽  
National Education ◽  
Teacher Work ◽  
The Government

The government is very concerned about issues related to schooling because the results of education today will shape our generation in the future. In this regard, the government takes seriously the aspect of national education and implements various initiatives to improve the effectiveness and excellence of schools through one of the aspects contained in the strategic thrust of the Malaysian Education Development Plan (PPPM) 2013-2025 which is focused on the quality of student academic achievement as the main agenda of education reform. Therefore, in an effort to improve and enhance work performance among teachers, there are related issues that need to be emphasized. Teacher job performance gaps are examined and given emphasis from the aspect of job satisfaction, Therefore, this study aims to identify the relationship between job satisfaction factors and teacher job performance. The population of this study consisted of teachers at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) in the education sector in the northern region, Peninsular Malaysia. However, for this study, the focus is given to the two locations of the states involved, are Perlis and Kedah. This location was chosen because the schools involved in this study are under one education system that implements the same policies and policies and the implementation of curricular and co-curricular activities is also the same. In fact, the schools involved in this study also received allocations and financial assistance in almost the same amount for the whole country (Ministry of National Education, MOE). For research purposes, this study used the questionnaire distribution method. While the process to analyze the data is using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) Version 24. The results of the analysis found that job satisfaction has a significant positive relationship with teacher work performance.

scholarly journals Socio-economic characteristics of registered cocoa farmers in Edo State, Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-266
Author(s):  
C.O. Osarenren ◽  
J.O. Ejuetueyin ◽  
K.I. Eweka
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Edo State ◽  
Cocoa Farmers

This study examined the socio-economic characteristics of registered cocoa farmers in Edo State; Nigeria. Primary data was collected using a well structured questionnaire administered to 180 registered cocoa farmers selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and budgetary technique. Results showed that 88.9% of cocoa farmers were male with a mean range of 46 years with 75% being married and 88.8% having formal education. The budgetary technique was used to determine the profitability of cocoa production, which was found to be profitable in the study area at a gross margin of N66, 350, Net Farm Income of N59, 200, and net return on investment of N 1.11.The Benefit Cost Ratio and Expense Structure Ratio of 2.11 and 0.12 respectively indicated that cocoa production was economically profitable and viable since the BCR is greater than 1 and the Gross Ratio (GR) of cocoa production is 0.47. From these profitability ratios, it shows that cocoa production is a profitable business in the study area. Inadequate finance to operate on large scale was found to be the major constraint to the cocoa farmers in the study area. The study concludes that cocoa production is profitable and was recommended that production could be improved and sustained through provision of soft loans to the farmers.Keywords: socio-economics, characteristics, registered cocoa farmers

scholarly journals COMMUNICATIONAL SOURCES USED BY THE AGRICULTURAL AGENT TO TRANSFER AGRICULTURAL INFROMATION FOR RICE FARMERS IN AL-ABBASSIA / NAJAF Al-ASHRAF GOVERNORATE

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. Hd. Al-Salhi
Keyword(s):  
Mass Media ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Rice Crop ◽  
Extension Agents ◽  
Rice Farmers ◽  
Extension Agent ◽  
Research Department ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Important Extension

The research aimed to know the communicational sources used by agricultural Agent to transfer agricultural information for rice farmers in AL- Abbbassia of Najaf Al- Ashraf province and determine the most important extension means and method used by the agent in his contact with farmers. A questionnaire is designed to collect data included three scales to measure communicational sources (personal methods , collective methods, and mass media methoda ), The research community was farmers associations in AL-Abbassia cultivation section (11) association, The sample was farmers associations (36%) which were ( AL-Sadr, Iraq, Murtatha, and mohamed massage ), then another proportional random classical sample was taken (15%) of farmers of the mentioned associations (709) which was (106) farmers ,The research results showed that the communicational sources play a very important role in transfer of agricultural information to rice farmers, as well as the collective methods were most methods the used by extension agent to transfer the information, There were also some differences in the used sources which  means that all methods were important. The research recommended to take care and attention to rice crop as a strategically crops, cooperation with general corporation of the agricultural research department of rice growing development , Inaddition it can recommended to support the research extension agents and rice farmers by training courses according to their communicational need.                                            

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