Constraints Affecting ICT Utilization by Agricultural Extension Officers in the Niger Delta,Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on constraints affecting the utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for agricultural extension activities by Agricultural Extension Officers in Nigeria's Niger Delta Region. Data were derived from 160 extension officers affiliated to both public and private extension organizations in four states of the Niger Delta. Findings revealed important specific constraints to include: poor ICT infrastructure development, high cost of broadcast equipment, high charges for radio/television presentations, high cost of access/interconnectivity and electricity power problems. The use of Factor Analysis aided to crystallize identified constraints into three factors of ‘poor enabling environment’, ‘lack of access’ and ‘dissemination of unrelated information’. Against the background of several national government initiatives to develop the infrastructure base of the country, recommendations are proffered to ameliorate ICT use constraints.     

Strengthening Agricultural Education and Training in sub-Saharan Africa from an Innovation Systems Perspective: A Case Study of Mozambique

Abstract

This paper examines how post-secondary agricultural education and training (AET) in sub-Saharan Africa can contribute to agricultural development by strengthening the capacity to innovate—to introduce new products and processes that are socially or economically relevant to smallholder farmers and other agents. Using the AET system in Mozambique as a case study, this paper examines the role of AET within the context of an agricultural innovation system. This innovation systems perspective offers an analytical framework to examine technological change in agriculture as a complex process of interactions among diverse actors who generate, exchange, and use knowledge, conditioned by complex social and economic institutions. The paper argues that while AET is conventionally viewed as key to the development of human capital, it also has a vital role to play in building the capacity of organizations and individuals to transmit and adapt information, products and processes, and new organizational cultures and behaviors. The paper emphasizes the importance of improving AET systems by strengthening the capabilities of organizations and professionals; changing organizational cultures, behaviors, and incentives; and building innovation networks and linkages. The paper offers several recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of AET for agricultural innovation and development. Key reforms include aligning the mandates of AET organizations with national development aspirations; inducing change in the cultures of AET organizations through the introduction of educational programs and linkages beyond the AET system; and enhancing innovative individual and organizational capacity by improving incentives to forge stronger links between AET and other stakeholders.     

The Role of Agricultural Consultants in New Zealand in Environmental Extension

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand the role that agricultural consultants in New Zealand were undertaking in the Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) system—and in particular in relation to environmental extension. New Zealand does not have a public extension service and hence there is a strong reliance on consultants and regional councils for environmental management information and advice. As they are independent of the formal RD&E system there is no guarantee that RD&E outcomes are reaching farmers, nor that effective environmental extension is occurring. The study used a combination of case studies, phone interviews with informed persons and a national web survey to explore the role of the consultant. The study found that agricultural consultants are playing an important role in working with farmers to improve agricultural production. There are, however, indications that gaps have developed over time between agricultural consultants and the agricultural research sector which limit the effectiveness of the RD&E system. Agricultural consultants are playing a minimal role in proactive environmental extension because insufficient market forces are driving this role. The paper suggests that a national database of agricultural consultants could improve the flow of tailored information between research and agricultural consultants and also suggests mechanisms where consultants could be better integrated into the RD&E system and provide feedback to research programs. Market failure in the area of environmental extension could be addressed by publicly funded incentive programs.     

Approaches for Effective Vocationalisation of Secondary School Agriculture in Nigeria: The Views of Agricultural Science Teachers in Delta State,Nigeria

Abstract

This paper describes a random sample of serving agricultural science teachers in Delta State, Nigeria, as a background to understanding their views on four selected approaches for effective vocationalisation of secondary school agriculture. These approaches were used to develop a 23-item questionnaire based on current literature. A five-point Likert-type scale was used to determine how well the views of the respondents corresponded with the items in the questionnaire. Results showed, among others, that the average teaching experience of the 322 sampled teachers was 12.9 years; 50.6 % of the respondents were BSc(Ed) degree holders; 38.8% had Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE), while 10.6% were Higher National Diploma (HND) holders. The respondents agreed that the identified approaches were necessary for effective vocationalisation of secondary school agriculture. The paper therefore recommends that the identified approaches should be pursued by the Nigerian government to ensure that vocational agriculture in secondary schools achieves the goals of the National Policy on Education.     

Factors Influencing Access to Integrated Soil Fertility Management Information and Knowledge and its Uptake among Smallholder Farmers in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Purpose: The study evaluated how farmer acquisition, sharing and use patterns of information and knowledge interact with different socioeconomic factors to influence integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technology uptake.

Design/methodology/approach: The study was conducted as part of an evaluation of field-based farmer learning approaches introduced by SOFECSA in Zimbabwe. Building on emerging farmer interactive platforms, data were collected using farmer participatory research approaches.

Findings: Over 90% of the farmers identified the national extension agents as the farmers' most preferred and reliable sources of information on ISFM, with farmer-to-farmer interactions ranking second. Non-governmental organisations and the print media emerged as the least trusted sources of agricultural technical information. Field-based learning centres, which enabled interactive evaluation of different ISFM options, constituted ~50%, indicating that they were major platforms for information and knowledge sharing. Uptake of ISFM was influenced by farmer resource group and farmers' visits to learning centres. Farmer experience and access to extension services were, in turn, the major factors influencing farmers' use of ISFM information. Approaches that support farmer-to-farmer interactions are required and learning centres are a suitable platform for such interactions to occur.

Practical implications: The article brings to attention the role of learning centres in fostering adoption of ISFM technologies. Insights on the need to support and strengthen agricultural extension in rural smallholder communities are provided.

Originality/value: This is a unique study exploring the role of farmer-oriented information and knowledge management in promoting complex technologies such as ISFM. A new dimension on the demands of new approaches for information dissemination to enhance knowledge sharing is presented.     

公民角色认知：农民工政治参与意识的缺失与强化

农民工公民角色认知及政治参与意识缺失主要表现在权利意识不清晰、自主意识的缺失、参与意识的淡漠,而农民工公民角色认知及政治参与意识缺失的制约因素诸多,主要体现在政治参与的难度及主观上参与动力不足方面,必须从多种途径探索推进农民工公民角色认知、强化农民工政治参与意识的路径选择。     

基于林业行业服务导向的研究生课程建设探索——以新疆农业大学为例

课程建设是研究生培养环节重要的基础性工作。"森林生态系统理论与应用"课程是林业硕士掌握坚实的林业基础理论和系统专门知识的主要途径及桥梁课程。采用面向学生的问卷调查和面向教师的调研相结合的方式,探讨新疆农业大学面向林业硕士开设的"森林生态系统理论与应用"课程建设中存在的问题,结合新的课程建设思路,提出更优质的课程建设具体方案,对整个课程体系内的教学内容、考核方式以及教学方法与手段等方面进行全面优化,旨在提高林业硕士研究生的专业实践能力,达到培养出服务于林业行业优秀人才的目标。     

分布式区域农业信息系统元数据设计

该文讨论了在分布式的异构网络环境下，针对区域农业信息管理与服务系统的的体系，如何进行元数据设计的问题。文章分析了目前元数据标准存在的问题，根据农业信息管理与服务系统的体系架构，提出分别从数据、软件平台、网络服务（Web Service）3个方面来考虑元数据的设计问题，认为它们的元数据内容也就构成了整个系统的元数据框架。该文建议采用面向对象技术进行元数据的设计，将元数据与它所要描述的对象（数据、软件模块、网路服务）从逻辑上捆绑在一起，把元数据内容当作对象的一个组成部分。通过对象抽象过程，确立描述该对象的内容以及作用于对象上的操作，从而定义出相应的元数据结构。这样，元数据设计的过程就转化成为面向对象的分析与设计过程。采用面向对象的元数据设计方法可以有效地避免元数据的丢失或者与数据不一致的情况。最后，文章简单给出了分布式农业信息系统的基本操作元数据内容。     

2012—2014年F5000农业科学类论文来源及作者的文献计量学分析

【目的】对2012—2014年F5000中农业科学类论文的来源及作者进行文献计量学分析。【方法】筛选2012—2014年入选F5000的农业科学类论文,通过中国知网对其相关信息进行完善,利用EXCEL2007对论文的来源及作者信息进行统计与分析。【结果】共选出829篇论文,来自188家单位,其中中国科学院、中国农业科学院等23家高产单位共产出530篇。该类论文主要发表于少数知名度较高的中国精品科技期刊;北京和江苏产出的论文篇数远大于其他省区。论文的合著率为97.47％,合作度为4.999,20～30岁的硕士、博士作者是其核心作者群体。【结论】明确了2012—2014年F5000中农业科学类论文的来源和作者概况,为农业科技期刊编辑同仁组约高水平研究论文提供了方向。     

我国农业电商研究文献计量分析

本文利用文献计量学方法,对2000－2015年公开发表在CNKI 总库的1684篇农业电子商务研究领域的中文期刊论文进行统计。分析了该领域的文献量年代分布、核心作者分布、核心期刊分布、主要研究机构、文献被引、基金文献和研究主题。基于分析结果,总结出我国在农业电子商务领域研究成果数量上、研究主题上的变化,同时提出该领域研究的未来发展趋势,以期为未来的农业电子商务研究提供参考。