Agricultural Engineering has transformed agricultural practices from subsistence level to medium and large-scale production via mechanisation in the developed nations. This has reduced the labour force requirements in agriculture; increased production levels and efficiency, product shelf life and product quality; and resulted into…

This newsletter discusses development projects in developing nations, including the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Peru. The following major articles are included: (1) "Radio Santa Maria: A Case Study of Participatory Evaluation" (John K. Mayo, Charles B. Green, and Miguel E. Vargas); (2) "Instruction by Audio Conference: An…

Although failures have been encountered in the West African cooperative movement, farm cooperatives are an indispensable tool for rural development. They can generate an investment budget at the village level and can provide a stimulating framework for education. The Senegalese farm cooperative movement has experienced a number of problems. Three…

The involvement of learners in planning their own programs is central to continuing education. The issues raised by the application of this principle are examined through case studies of several rural African communities. (SK)

Describes a workshop held in Zambia in August 1979, to disseminate among performing artists and rural development workers skills for using the performing arts to communicate information on problems related to agriculture, health, and community development. Over 70 participants from the U.S., Canada, Botswana, Lesotho, Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia…

The contributors to this document compare the main approaches to agricultural extension in sub-Saharan Africa; the cost-effectiveness in view of precarious national budgets; the weaknesses of the system for generating technology; the difficulties in forging productive partnerships between researchers, extensionists and farmers; the ineffective…

A variety of topics related to innovative uses of media in international development are addressed in this newsletter, which includes the following articles: "The Radio Mathematics Project: New Examples of Technology Transfer," by Klaus Galda; "An Overview and Guide: Planning Instructional Radio," by Maurice Imhoof;…

Using the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto as a basis for discussion, this paper examines the role of the public library within developing countries and reviews the major developments in public library services in Africa subsequent to the two UNESCO seminars on Public Library Development held in Nigeria in 1962. A number of key statements from the…

This discussion of the impact of information services on the agricultural development of the developing countries of Africa. Covers the importance of information and problems of literacy; sources of agricultural information (extension services, radio, films, publications, friends); and the role of library services. Footnotes are included. (EJS)

Discusses the use of video and local television for community development in developing nations, taken from his report, "Television for Development: The African Experience." Highlights include the use of media by untrained people, the importance of communication, the need for political support, and the advantages and disadvantages of…

Discusses the use of video technology and community, or narrowcast, television in developing countries, particularly Africa. The importance of the media in improving communication between people and their government is emphasized, and the political, social and technical problems involved are described. (Author/LRW)

This newsletter begins with an interview with Dr. Nora Quebral, Chairman of the Department of Communication at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos, who discussed the past, present, and future of development communication with staff members John Middleton and Heddy Reid. In "The Future of Computers in Education in the Developing…

Criteria for establishing a project management plan for local community development of forestry programs in Africa are provided in the lead article, which elaborates upon approaches for encouraging participation in fuelwood production, determining community needs and responsibilities, assigning technical support personnel, and revitalizing rural…

Includes "Community Development in Areas of Political and Social Conflict" (Oliver); "Women and Development in Peru" (Barrig); "Some Reflections on Community Development Experiences in Brazil" (O'Gorman); "Informal Networks for Pre-School Children in a Black Community in South Africa" (Lines); "The…

The "communiversity" concept was developed as a model for non-university, post-secondary, technical education on the African continent. The prototypes of the communiversity are associate-degree-granting institutions, such as technical colleges, university branches, and community colleges. Like these institutions, the communiversity's…