Small Scale Maize Farmers Attitude towards Opinion Leaders in the Western Region of Kenya in the Agricultural Reform Era

Agricultural reforms in Kenya led to the government cutting down incentives to small scale farmers. These also coincided with reduction of agricultural extension staff hence farmers have to rely on advice from opinion leaders. The study looked at farmers’ attitude towards opinion leaders on maize farming in the western region of Kenya because maize is the main staple for most of the Kenyan population and Western Region is the food basket. The study used Ex-post facto research design via cross sectional survey. The counties were purposively selected to represent the Western Region of Kenya. Two sub-counties from each of the four Counties were selected by simple random sampling. Small scale farmers were selected from focal areas through systematic random sampling. Four key informants were sampled purposefully based on their positions of authority. In addition, 52 extension staffs were sampled through systematic random sampling. The small scale farmers were interviewed with the help of interview schedule containing both open and closed ended questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that a high percentage of respondents from all the study Counties agreed that what other farmers said about maize production helped them to invest in the enterprise. The study concluded that small scale farmers from all the Counties, were influenced by other farmers to invest in maize production. In addition most of the respondents always followed the recommendations given by the chief and other local leaders concerning agricultural production. The study recommended that extension staff use farmer groups and local leaders to ensure that the innovations are diffused to a large number of farmers.

Challenges associated with livestock extension practice in agropastoral Fulani settlement areas of Ogun State, Nigeria.

The study assessed the challenges associated with sustainable provision of livestock extension service in selected agropastoral fulani settlements in the state. The data for the study were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire, and analysed with descriptive statistics, Chi Square and Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient. The result from the study revealed that the challenges of livestock extension practice in agropastoral settlements are; lack of incentives to work in agropastoral areas and poor road networks perceived by (61.4%) and (54.47%) of the extension service providers respectively. The transhumance lifestyle of some of the households was perceived by (50.95%) of the extension service providers as a major challenge to livestock extension service provision in these areas. Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis showed that, the challenges of livestock extension service were significantly related to the working experience of the extension staff (p< 0.05). Chi square analysis result also shows a significant relationship between the challenges of livestock extension practice in agropastoral settlements and the area of specialisation and language competency of the extension staff. It was therefore concluded that, the traditional organizational structure of extension services may be inappropriate for working in pastoral areas. The study recommended that, to reduce these challenges, extension staff from pastoral backgrounds, which are based in pastoral communities, could be recruited and trained for specialised livestock extension services to the agropastoral settlements.

Qualitative Assessment of the Economic Impacts of Horticulture Research and Extension at MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center

This paper summarizes opinions on the economic impacts of horticulture research and extension at the Mississippi State University, Coastal Research and Extension Center. More than 8400 horticulture producers, master gardeners, research and extension staff, and nonprofit organizations participated in horticulture events during the last five years. Qualitative assessments of horticulture research and extension performed by the faculty and staff were solicited during voluntary surveys.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BEHAVIOR OF THE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORKERS AND FARMERS’ SATISFACTION WITH THE EXTENSION SERVICES IN KURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, KANO STATE, NIGERIA

The study was conducted to determine the attitude of extension staff towards agricultural extension work, examine the nature of the relationship between farmers and agricultural extension staff, examine the scope of farmers’ satisfaction with services provided by extension workers, and determine the challenges affecting effective relationship between farmers and agricultural extension staff in Kura Local Government, Kano State, Nigeria. The population of the study was 2567 registered farmers and 8 qualified Extension workers. Questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. 80 respondents were used as the sampling frame. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics i.e. percentage and frequency count. The research findings revealed that there is strong positive relationship between behavior of Agricultural Extension Workers and farmers satisfaction, the findings of the study indicated, among others, that the challenges affecting relationship between the farmers and the Extension Staff in the study area included staff inadequacy, slow process and the attitude of the Extension Workers toward Agricultural Extension exercise included dedication to duty, positive manners, among the others. Additionally, the findings indicated that the nature of the relationship between the farmers and Agricultural Extension Workers was based on Extension workers farm visit, response to request and enquiries by the farmers and friendliness to the farmers. It is therefore, recommended that the number of Extension workers should be added and welfare package of the Extension Workers should be improved to avoid delay in the process, to mention but a few.

Qualitative Assessment of the Economic Impacts of Horticulture Research and Extension at MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center

This paper summarizes opinions on the economic impacts of horticulture research and extension at MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center. More than 8,400 horticulture producers, master gardeners, research and extension staff, and non-profit organizations participated in horticulture events during the last five years. Qualitative assessments of horticulture research and extension performed by the faculty and staff were solicited during voluntary surveys.

Successful Implementation and Elements of Healthy Food Retail Programs: Extension Professionals Perceptions (P04-167-19)

Objectives The objective of this cross-sectional, exploratory study was to understand the perceptions of healthy food retail programs (HFRP) by Extension professionals in low-income communities to determine strategies for successful implementation of HFRP. Methods Thirty Extension agents and county directors from one state in the southeastern U.S. were recruited via emails, and 53.3% (n = 16) completed a demographics questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The interviews were conducted and recorded using online video conferencing software and took place in August and September 2018. Participants were asked about their definitions of HFRP, what challenges and benefits they had observed during HFRP implementation in their communities, and to identify strategies that would increase the success of HFRP programs. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by two researchers independently using multiple coding mechanisms. Results Most participants were white (87.5%), female (93.7%), and had worked for Extension for 0–5 years (37.5%). Participants did not have any prior experience with HFRP; therefore, the qualitative data revolved around their interpretation of a HFRP, which varied. Participants noted the following as components needed for a successful HFRP implementation: working in both corporate supermarkets and local mom-and-pop stores; promoting healthy food retail options; and conducting food demonstrations. One emergent theme was that HFRP would bring immense benefits to their communities, including expanding the recognition of Extension and a higher consumption of healthier foods among community members. One barrier identified was current county-level evaluation practices for policy, systems, and environment (PSE) approaches, which Extension staff are evaluated upon, not currently fully capturing HFRP interventions. Adequate training of HFRP was another theme that was identified, with agents requesting in-person, hands-on techniques. Conclusions Extension staff perceive that HFRP implementation may provide benefits to low-income communities. However, one specific need that was identified is hands-on training prior to initiation of HFRP. Additionally, participants requested new approaches for evaluating PSE programs like HFRP. Funding Sources No funding sources.

Effects of Farmers’ Socioeconomic Characteristics on Access to Agricultural Information in Ngaka Modiri Molema District of the North West Province

Information plays an important role in enhancing agricultural development. Agricultural extension exchange information with farmers to improve their production, however, farmers use other sources to access the information they need to improve their production. However, their access to agricultural information may be hindered by some socio-economic characteristics. Therefore, the current study identified the effects of farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics, their sources of agricultural information and the constraints they face in accessing agricultural information. A proportionate sample of 120 respondents was selected randomly from the participants. The data was collected through a pre-tested questionnaire and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to perform statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages were used. On the basis of to what extend different information sources were used by farmers the rank order was used. Further, bivariate analysis was used to test the level of association among selected variables. The results show that the majority of the respondents were over the age of fifty and were males. Most of the respondents went up to high school level of education. More respondents had a land size of up to five hectares. Further, the results showed that there existed a significant relationship between respondents’ age, education and their sources of information. The results further revealed that fellow farmers and extension staff were the major sources of information. However, distance from the extension staff and lack of awareness of new technology were identified as the constraints that the respondents face in accessing agricultural information. The results of the study therefore reveal that there is a need for farmers to access relevant and timeous agricultural information to improve their production.