The main aim of this pre-study was to provide a preliminary overview of Finnish farmers' motivation and capacity prerequisites for adopting and improving their management skills. Motivation was studied by asking farmers what farm management tasks and skills they consider important. Capacity was evaluated by asking farmers to rank management tasks…

Managing the competing interests of productivity growth, environmental concerns, landscape change and societal expectations presents challenges for agricultural industries. Innovation projects supporting knowledge development to address these challenges often involve partnerships with commercial farms, a methodology which promises much but has…

The majority of the population of Vietnam lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture for their livelihood. Consistent growth of the agriculture sector over the past two decades has contributed to a remarkable reduction in the poverty rate and the virtual elimination of hunger in the rural areas of Vietnam. In order to continue the growth…

This paper is an interpretation by researchers of oral and written accounts of ten development agents who have participated in various seminars and discussions since 2001, organized by researchers of INRA and of the University of Toulouse. According to the transcripts of lectures, discussions and articles written by development agents, it seems…

Changes in education and agriculture in South Africa indicate that agricultural extension practitioners should facilitate continuous learning among farmers. This requires that extension practitioners acquire new skills. To provide these skills requires a critical examination of agricultural extension curricula in the light of South Africa's…

The impact of HIV/AIDS on food security and rural livelihoods is still insufficiently understood. It is evident, however, that rural development professionals need to respond to the changes that have taken place in rural areas due to the pandemic. This article explores competencies that they need in order to deal with the complex HIV/AIDS issues…

Discusses changes in the extension service of the New South Wales Department of Agriculture since World War II. Notes a change in emphasis from technology to farm business management. (JOW)

This paper discusses the transition from a national focus on food security during the last half of the 20th century to an emerging strategy on helping small-scale farm households increase farm income to reduce rural poverty. The basic proposition is that if extension is going to help increase farm incomes and rural employment, then it must shift…

Pioneer survey of 180 farmers and 75 extension workers of Nigeria indicated radio, newsletters, and posters as rich sources of information for rural farmers; extension workers often did not realize the free use of mass media. Decentralization of media preparation and the mobilizing effect of mass media need future accomplishment. (EA)

The effects of farm size on farmers' participation in agricultural development programs initiated by the government in Rivers State (Nigeria) were studied. Results for 300 farmers with varying holdings indicated no effect of farm size on participation, suggesting that extension work could advance without regard to farm size. (SLD)

An Australian rural extension center used a training approach based on adult learning principles and action learning. Action learning was applied daily in residential courses, weekly in development of work-based learning projects, and on a subject basis over 3-4 months. (SK)

If farmers are to meet the new challenges facing agriculture (environment, rural development, etc.), appropriate knowledge has to be produced. But observations in six EU countries (France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK) show that unexpected problems arise when technical support for agriculture is linked to market regulation,…

The objective of this paper is to describe and analyse the role that study groups might play in improving the entrepreneurial competencies of farmers. The most important competencies are described. Emphasis is placed on group learning processes and participatory approaches. Theories of adult learning and extension paradigms in relation to our…

Discusses the challenge of educating interest groups in the functioning of government and the policy-making process by examining the initiation and implementation of an agricultural drainage program in Manitoba. Presents guidelines on how Extension workers can operate in such politically difficult situations. (JOW)

Assessment of a participatory rural appraisal project in Ethiopia indicated that decentralization of extension in sub-Saharan Africa is an opportunity for farmers and extension agents to collaborate. The congruence of experiential learning and participatory approaches can contribute to the transformation of "top-down" extension…