Pub Date : 2021-12-09DOI: 10.17159/2413-3221/2021/v49n3a12854
Ifeanyi-obi, Ekere
The study assessed the agricultural extension agents' climate change training needs in Abia state. Eighty-three extension agents were chosen for the study using a simple random sampling procedure. Questionnaire was used to collect data, which was then summarized using percentages, frequency counts, and the mean. The findings indicated that male agricultural extension agents comprised a majority (53%) of the state's agricultural extension agents. The average household contained between one and five members (60%). Only 10% have a master's degree, while the majority (69%) have a bachelor's degree. The average length of employment was 15 years. The study's findings indicated that there are still extension agents who are unaware of climate change (1%). Agricultural extension agents in the study area have a limited understanding of all six climate change statements. Extension agents provide significant climate change services to farmers, including technical advice on climate change ( =2.0), the establishment of Small Plot Adaptation Techniques (SPAT) to monitor the impact of climate change (=2.1), and educating farmers on appropriate agrochemicals for climate change adaptation (weed and pest control) ( =2.2). Additionally, the results indicated that understanding fundamental climate change concepts ( =3.7), utilising cultural practises to mitigate and adapt to climate impacts ( =3.4), and environmentally friendly management practises to mitigate and adapt to climate change ( =3.4) were the primary areas of need for climate change training among extension agents. Inadequate funding for training (=3.4), a lack of financial support from organizations ( =3.3), and an inability to access financial support from funders (=3.3) were the major barriers to attending climate change training for extension agents. Regular climate change seminars and training workshops for agricultural extension agents at the federal and state levels will help to improve their overall knowledge of climate change issues. The Agricultural Development Program should utilize Forth nightly training (FNT) meetings to educate extension agents about climate change issues.
{"title":"Assessment of climate change training needs of agricultural extension agents in Abia state, Nigeria","authors":"Ifeanyi-obi, Ekere","doi":"10.17159/2413-3221/2021/v49n3a12854","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2021/v49n3a12854","url":null,"abstract":"The study assessed the agricultural extension agents' climate change training needs in Abia state. Eighty-three extension agents were chosen for the study using a simple random sampling procedure. Questionnaire was used to collect data, which was then summarized using percentages, frequency counts, and the mean. The findings indicated that male agricultural extension agents comprised a majority (53%) of the state's agricultural extension agents. The average household contained between one and five members (60%). Only 10% have a master's degree, while the majority (69%) have a bachelor's degree. The average length of employment was 15 years. The study's findings indicated that there are still extension agents who are unaware of climate change (1%). Agricultural extension agents in the study area have a limited understanding of all six climate change statements. Extension agents provide significant climate change services to farmers, including technical advice on climate change ( =2.0), the establishment of Small Plot Adaptation Techniques (SPAT) to monitor the impact of climate change (=2.1), and educating farmers on appropriate agrochemicals for climate change adaptation (weed and pest control) ( =2.2). Additionally, the results indicated that understanding fundamental climate change concepts ( =3.7), utilising cultural practises to mitigate and adapt to climate impacts ( =3.4), and environmentally friendly management practises to mitigate and adapt to climate change ( =3.4) were the primary areas of need for climate change training among extension agents. Inadequate funding for training (=3.4), a lack of financial support from organizations ( =3.3), and an inability to access financial support from funders (=3.3) were the major barriers to attending climate change training for extension agents. Regular climate change seminars and training workshops for agricultural extension agents at the federal and state levels will help to improve their overall knowledge of climate change issues. The Agricultural Development Program should utilize Forth nightly training (FNT) meetings to educate extension agents about climate change issues.","PeriodicalId":250685,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE)","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123307087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-09DOI: 10.17159/2413-3221/2021/v49n2a12802
Maka, Ngotho, S. Walker, Ngcamphalala, Maboa
One of the roles of extension services is to link farmers to the developers of technological solutions (research outputs). Extension officers act as facilitators and assist farmers in their decision-making and technology adaptation. With the changing climate threatening production resources, extension officers need to encourage farmers to adopt various climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. The paper seeks to reflect on a study by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) to assess their skills and knowledge about climate change and CSA. The study aimed to conduct a skills audit on CSA and related concepts. Through a stratified sampling method, all extension practitioners (EPs) registered with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) were included in the survey. The survey, administered through a user-friendly tool (online google forms), was developed to investigate: familiarity with, and current skills in climate-smart agriculture and collect biographic information, field of responsibility (e.g. cropping, livestock and mixed farming). Both quantitative and qualitative data was sourced through the survey tool to draw generalized conclusion and perceptions of how best to improve the capabilities of EPs on CSA. The results of the survey showed that EPs had a theoretical understanding of climate change and CSA. Generally, EPs across all positions, education levels, age categories and experience could identify the correct definition and cause of climate change, despite the fact that the majority had not received any CSA training. On the contrary, the majority of respondents had little understanding of how best to apply the CSA approach in practice, to assist farmers curb the effects of climate change. A CSA training programme was developed to establish a strong theoretical base, together with an understanding of the challenges presented by climate change and climate variability to sustainable agriculture in South Africa.
{"title":"An assessment of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices skills amongst extension practitioners in South Africa","authors":"Maka, Ngotho, S. Walker, Ngcamphalala, Maboa","doi":"10.17159/2413-3221/2021/v49n2a12802","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2021/v49n2a12802","url":null,"abstract":"One of the roles of extension services is to link farmers to the developers of technological solutions (research outputs). Extension officers act as facilitators and assist farmers in their decision-making and technology adaptation. With the changing climate threatening production resources, extension officers need to encourage farmers to adopt various climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices. The paper seeks to reflect on a study by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) to assess their skills and knowledge about climate change and CSA. The study aimed to conduct a skills audit on CSA and related concepts. Through a stratified sampling method, all extension practitioners (EPs) registered with South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) were included in the survey. The survey, administered through a user-friendly tool (online google forms), was developed to investigate: familiarity with, and current skills in climate-smart agriculture and collect biographic information, field of responsibility (e.g. cropping, livestock and mixed farming). Both quantitative and qualitative data was sourced through the survey tool to draw generalized conclusion and perceptions of how best to improve the capabilities of EPs on CSA. The results of the survey showed that EPs had a theoretical understanding of climate change and CSA. Generally, EPs across all positions, education levels, age categories and experience could identify the correct definition and cause of climate change, despite the fact that the majority had not received any CSA training. On the contrary, the majority of respondents had little understanding of how best to apply the CSA approach in practice, to assist farmers curb the effects of climate change. A CSA training programme was developed to establish a strong theoretical base, together with an understanding of the challenges presented by climate change and climate variability to sustainable agriculture in South Africa.","PeriodicalId":250685,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE)","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129370068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-08-08DOI: 10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a508
K. Davis, K. Lion, T. Arokoyo
Organisational capacity and management are critical elements of extension systems. This paper examines the organisational capacity and management of the Nigerian extension system. Content analysis of documents and artefacts, semi-structured interviews with key informants, and site visits were used to collect data. The paper looks at individual, organisational, and system-level capacities and management systems. The current ratio of extension agents to farmers is between 1:5000 and 1:10 000, with a total workforce of about 7000 public agents. A new initiative, the N-Power programme, is employing 100 000 young graduates in extension. Financing provided by state governments typically only covers the salaries of extension staff, meaning there is little operational budget for travel, communication, training, or field programmes. States thus struggle to hire and provide incentives for staff, and most continuing education and incentives take place in donor-funded projects or with federal funds. The extension system has good support from policies and strategies, as well as from research, education, and donor programmes. The paper confirms that capacity and management issues are critically important for well-functioning extension systems, and that there are many elements to get right, including continuing education, incentives, coordination, and operational budgets. Keywords: Capacity, Extension, Management, Nigeria, Organisations
{"title":"Organisational Capacities And Management Of Agricultural Extension Services In Nigeria: Current Status","authors":"K. Davis, K. Lion, T. Arokoyo","doi":"10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a508","url":null,"abstract":"Organisational capacity and management are critical elements of extension systems. This paper examines the organisational capacity and management of the Nigerian extension system. Content analysis of documents and artefacts, semi-structured interviews with key informants, and site visits were used to collect data. The paper looks at individual, organisational, and system-level capacities and management systems. The current ratio of extension agents to farmers is between 1:5000 and 1:10 000, with a total workforce of about 7000 public agents. A new initiative, the N-Power programme, is employing 100 000 young graduates in extension. Financing provided by state governments typically only covers the salaries of extension staff, meaning there is little operational budget for travel, communication, training, or field programmes. States thus struggle to hire and provide incentives for staff, and most continuing education and incentives take place in donor-funded projects or with federal funds. The extension system has good support from policies and strategies, as well as from research, education, and donor programmes. The paper confirms that capacity and management issues are critically important for well-functioning extension systems, and that there are many elements to get right, including continuing education, incentives, coordination, and operational budgets. Keywords: Capacity, Extension, Management, Nigeria, Organisations","PeriodicalId":250685,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE)","volume":"13 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126599531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-08-08DOI: 10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a503
R. Bastian, J. Swanepoel, J. V. Niekerk
Agricultural mechanisation has received increased interest during the last decade for the development of agriculture in African countries. One of the challenges of mechanisation in farming is the high cost associated with the procurement and maintenance of tractors and implements. Therefore, a mechanisation programme to assist with the development of emerging farmers in the country was established. The study was undertaken to determine the effective implementation of the mechanisation programme from the perspectives of farmers and extension officers. The study aimed to investigate whether the programme has assisted with the development of emerging farmers and whether the current implements in centres are suitable for the various commodities produced per area. To meet the objectives of this study, structured questionnaires were administered to participants and interviews were conducted with stakeholders in management positions. The findings revealed that the efficiency of the mechanisation programme can be improved upon, as farmers highlighted challenges that included access to mechanisation centres, the correct type and availability of implements. Nevertheless, the mechanisation programme has had a positive impact on the development of emerging farmers, and they feel that if issues are addressed, the programme could be even more beneficial in ensuring that recipients of the programme reap maximum benefits. Keywords: Emerging farmers, Extension, Mechanisation
{"title":"Effectiveness Of The Implementation Of The Mechanisation Programme For Emerging Farmers In The Overberg And Eden Districts Of The Western Cape","authors":"R. Bastian, J. Swanepoel, J. V. Niekerk","doi":"10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a503","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a503","url":null,"abstract":"Agricultural mechanisation has received increased interest during the last decade for the development of agriculture in African countries. One of the challenges of mechanisation in farming is the high cost associated with the procurement and maintenance of tractors and implements. Therefore, a mechanisation programme to assist with the development of emerging farmers in the country was established. The study was undertaken to determine the effective implementation of the mechanisation programme from the perspectives of farmers and extension officers. The study aimed to investigate whether the programme has assisted with the development of emerging farmers and whether the current implements in centres are suitable for the various commodities produced per area. To meet the objectives of this study, structured questionnaires were administered to participants and interviews were conducted with stakeholders in management positions. The findings revealed that the efficiency of the mechanisation programme can be improved upon, as farmers highlighted challenges that included access to mechanisation centres, the correct type and availability of implements. Nevertheless, the mechanisation programme has had a positive impact on the development of emerging farmers, and they feel that if issues are addressed, the programme could be even more beneficial in ensuring that recipients of the programme reap maximum benefits. Keywords: Emerging farmers, Extension, Mechanisation","PeriodicalId":250685,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE)","volume":"7 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132001534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-08-08DOI: 10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a506
M. Christian, A. Obi, I. Agbugba
Sustainable water management has been identified as a powerful tool to combat persistent food insecurity in South Africa’s poor rural communities. The irrigation revitalisation scheme was launched in the first decade of post-Apartheid South Africa and focused on smallholder farmers in the former homeland areas. However, the adoption of irrigation technology has been limited, while official data point to worsening poverty rates and food insecurity as agricultural output declines in the face of rising prices. There is thus strong policy interest to ascertain the circumstances in which irrigation adoption can be enhanced. A cross-sectional research design was utilised to collect data from 200 farmers (adopters and non-adopters) selected through a combination of purposive and stratified sampling methods. Probit regression results suggest that irrigation adoption is influenced by distance to the irrigation scheme, age of the farmer, family size, credit access, extension contact, and group membership. Water management programmes that address community access to irrigation water are likely to enhance adoption of irrigation technology, with credit access and extension provided to ensure sustainable use of the technology. Keywords: Eastern Cape, Extension services, Food insecurity, Irrigation adoption, Smallholder farmers
{"title":"Adoption Of Irrigation Technology To Combat Household Food Insecurity In The Resource-constrained Farming Systems Of The Eastern Cape Province, South Africa","authors":"M. Christian, A. Obi, I. Agbugba","doi":"10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a506","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a506","url":null,"abstract":"Sustainable water management has been identified as a powerful tool to combat persistent food insecurity in South Africa’s poor rural communities. The irrigation revitalisation scheme was launched in the first decade of post-Apartheid South Africa and focused on smallholder farmers in the former homeland areas. However, the adoption of irrigation technology has been limited, while official data point to worsening poverty rates and food insecurity as agricultural output declines in the face of rising prices. There is thus strong policy interest to ascertain the circumstances in which irrigation adoption can be enhanced. A cross-sectional research design was utilised to collect data from 200 farmers (adopters and non-adopters) selected through a combination of purposive and stratified sampling methods. Probit regression results suggest that irrigation adoption is influenced by distance to the irrigation scheme, age of the farmer, family size, credit access, extension contact, and group membership. Water management programmes that address community access to irrigation water are likely to enhance adoption of irrigation technology, with credit access and extension provided to ensure sustainable use of the technology. Keywords: Eastern Cape, Extension services, Food insecurity, Irrigation adoption, Smallholder farmers","PeriodicalId":250685,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE)","volume":"18 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114672192","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-08-08DOI: 10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a501
L. Maka, M. Aliber
Since the beginning of South Africa’s land reform programme in 1994, much concern has been expressed about the uneven performance of newly settled farmers, which has typically been explained by weak ‘post-settlement support’. In 2009, the government launched the Recapitalisation and Development Programme (RADP) in order to assist farms that have received little or no support, especially land reform farms. One salient aspect of the RADP is that it links recipient farmers with strategic partners or mentors, often as a condition of receiving financial support. Qualitative research was conducted in the form of seven in-depth case studies of RADP-supported land reform projects, together with interviews with four RADP mentors and three government officials. Some of the challenges in the farms before RADP funding was received included little or no income, high mortality rate of livestock, and lack of skills. The study revealed that the RADP mentorship remains a vital practice to be considered in capacitating land reform beneficiaries. It is recommended that funds should be made available for mentors to have an agreement of at least three to five years in a single project. Keywords: Land Reform, Mentors, Recapitalisation
{"title":"The Role Of Mentors In Land Reform Projects Supported Through The Recapitalisation And Development Programme: Findings From Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa","authors":"L. Maka, M. Aliber","doi":"10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a501","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a501","url":null,"abstract":"Since the beginning of South Africa’s land reform programme in 1994, much concern has been expressed about the uneven performance of newly settled farmers, which has typically been explained by weak ‘post-settlement support’. In 2009, the government launched the Recapitalisation and Development Programme (RADP) in order to assist farms that have received little or no support, especially land reform farms. One salient aspect of the RADP is that it links recipient farmers with strategic partners or mentors, often as a condition of receiving financial support. Qualitative research was conducted in the form of seven in-depth case studies of RADP-supported land reform projects, together with interviews with four RADP mentors and three government officials. Some of the challenges in the farms before RADP funding was received included little or no income, high mortality rate of livestock, and lack of skills. The study revealed that the RADP mentorship remains a vital practice to be considered in capacitating land reform beneficiaries. It is recommended that funds should be made available for mentors to have an agreement of at least three to five years in a single project. Keywords: Land Reform, Mentors, Recapitalisation","PeriodicalId":250685,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE)","volume":"100 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114931881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-08-08DOI: 10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a504
Evans Muchesa, B. D. Nkosi, E. Zwane, J. V. Niekerk
The objective of this research was to establish the role of agricultural extension in communal farmers’ market systems by looking at possible ways in which it could intervene and support communal farmers in the marketing of produce. The study was conducted in the area of Mhondoro-Mubaira, which is situated in Mashonaland West Province in Zimbabwe. The target population comprised of 150 communal farmers and 25 extension officers. Poor technology and an under-resourced extension department is one of the factors identified by the extension officers (84%) for poor extension delivery (p =<0.464). The communal farmers referred to in this study have a negative perception of government-led extension support, especially in the area of agricultural market support. About half (56%) of the farmers indicated that they do not receive any form of agricultural marketing extension support. The reasons for the poor ratings of government extension support by communal farmers include the following: they are hardly available (8.88%); they are not knowledgeable enough (13.02%); and they do not offer practical solutions (24.85%). Communal food production and food security could be significantly improved if farmers receive appropriate input, training and extension support. Market linkage from the extension department could effectively boost income from agriculture enterprises and upgrade communal farmers who come from the most vulnerable section of the country’s population. Keywords: Agricultural Extension Excellence Model (AEEM), Agritex, Communal farming, Extension, Market systems
{"title":"The Role Of Extension Support In A Communal Farmers' Market System In Mhondoro-Mubaira, Zimbabwe","authors":"Evans Muchesa, B. D. Nkosi, E. Zwane, J. V. Niekerk","doi":"10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a504","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a504","url":null,"abstract":"The objective of this research was to establish the role of agricultural extension in communal farmers’ market systems by looking at possible ways in which it could intervene and support communal farmers in the marketing of produce. The study was conducted in the area of Mhondoro-Mubaira, which is situated in Mashonaland West Province in Zimbabwe. The target population comprised of 150 communal farmers and 25 extension officers. Poor technology and an under-resourced extension department is one of the factors identified by the extension officers (84%) for poor extension delivery (p =<0.464). The communal farmers referred to in this study have a negative perception of government-led extension support, especially in the area of agricultural market support. About half (56%) of the farmers indicated that they do not receive any form of agricultural marketing extension support. The reasons for the poor ratings of government extension support by communal farmers include the following: they are hardly available (8.88%); they are not knowledgeable enough (13.02%); and they do not offer practical solutions (24.85%). Communal food production and food security could be significantly improved if farmers receive appropriate input, training and extension support. Market linkage from the extension department could effectively boost income from agriculture enterprises and upgrade communal farmers who come from the most vulnerable section of the country’s population. Keywords: Agricultural Extension Excellence Model (AEEM), Agritex, Communal farming, Extension, Market systems","PeriodicalId":250685,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE)","volume":"45 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121710928","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-08-08DOI: 10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a502
O. Popoola, N. Monde, S. Yusuf
Livestock is a critical asset for many rural poor, however, the current climate crisis is affecting livestock farmers. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in order to assess the farmers’ perceptions of climate change, and its impact on production and adaptation responses. Using a multistage sampling procedure, a total of 142 smallholder livestock farmers were selected from 18 villages across the study area. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used and the observed results showed that there has been a perceived drastic decline in rainfall in the area over the last 25 years. Some of the perceived impacts were poor vegetation and limited grazing, scarcity of water resources, decreased livestock growth rate, weight, milk production and reproduction rates. Adaptation responses were limited as the results showed that the only response measures taken amongst the many options available were changing grazing routes, increasing grazing distances, destocking, water harvesting and storage, and increased dependence on social welfare. An examination of farmers’ perceptions of their adopted responses showed that none of the response measures were perceived as significantly effective. The lack of effective response to the climate change crisis is a cause for concern, as the livestock industry is endemic to the region and sustains families and entire communities. Keywords: Drought, Effectiveness, Perception, Risks
{"title":"Perception And Adaptation Responses To Climate Change: An Assessment Of Smallholder Livestock Farmers In Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province","authors":"O. Popoola, N. Monde, S. Yusuf","doi":"10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a502","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a502","url":null,"abstract":"Livestock is a critical asset for many rural poor, however, the current climate crisis is affecting livestock farmers. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in order to assess the farmers’ perceptions of climate change, and its impact on production and adaptation responses. Using a multistage sampling procedure, a total of 142 smallholder livestock farmers were selected from 18 villages across the study area. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used and the observed results showed that there has been a perceived drastic decline in rainfall in the area over the last 25 years. Some of the perceived impacts were poor vegetation and limited grazing, scarcity of water resources, decreased livestock growth rate, weight, milk production and reproduction rates. Adaptation responses were limited as the results showed that the only response measures taken amongst the many options available were changing grazing routes, increasing grazing distances, destocking, water harvesting and storage, and increased dependence on social welfare. An examination of farmers’ perceptions of their adopted responses showed that none of the response measures were perceived as significantly effective. The lack of effective response to the climate change crisis is a cause for concern, as the livestock industry is endemic to the region and sustains families and entire communities. Keywords: Drought, Effectiveness, Perception, Risks","PeriodicalId":250685,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE)","volume":"30 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133550759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-08-08DOI: 10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a510
A. I. Agholor
The awareness, attitudes and values which an individual has about his abilities affects his work performance. The pessimistic perception and negative comments about quality extension service delivery have been on-going, but little has been done to evaluate the concept of selfefficacy in extension practice. Self-efficacy describes an important facet of human motivation which denotes a positive self-prophecy about one’s capabilities premised on oriented outcomes, relayed experiences and verbal inducement. The primary step for an extension officer to succeed with farmers will be to acquire the perception and vehemently exert control over outcomes associated with new innovations. There is a plethora of evidence that emanated from various studies to show that it is possible to motivate extension practitioners using techniques such as evaluation of performance, behavioural modelling practice, and experiential education. This review paper discusses the bases, features, goal realisation and implications of self-efficacy in the context of extension service delivery. The paper concluded that with an increase in self-motivation, there is a concomitant growth in self-efficacy. Extension practitioners need to engage in activities that will promote and build self-motivation and assertiveness towards the attainment of set goals. Extension practitioners are likely to perform better when properly motivated towards a goal. Keywords: Motivation, Satisfaction, Self-efficacy, Self-evaluation
{"title":"A Review Of Extension Self-efficacy: Bases, Features, Goal Realisation And Implications For Extension","authors":"A. I. Agholor","doi":"10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a510","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a510","url":null,"abstract":"The awareness, attitudes and values which an individual has about his abilities affects his work performance. The pessimistic perception and negative comments about quality extension service delivery have been on-going, but little has been done to evaluate the concept of selfefficacy in extension practice. Self-efficacy describes an important facet of human motivation which denotes a positive self-prophecy about one’s capabilities premised on oriented outcomes, relayed experiences and verbal inducement. The primary step for an extension officer to succeed with farmers will be to acquire the perception and vehemently exert control over outcomes associated with new innovations. There is a plethora of evidence that emanated from various studies to show that it is possible to motivate extension practitioners using techniques such as evaluation of performance, behavioural modelling practice, and experiential education. This review paper discusses the bases, features, goal realisation and implications of self-efficacy in the context of extension service delivery. The paper concluded that with an increase in self-motivation, there is a concomitant growth in self-efficacy. Extension practitioners need to engage in activities that will promote and build self-motivation and assertiveness towards the attainment of set goals. Extension practitioners are likely to perform better when properly motivated towards a goal. Keywords: Motivation, Satisfaction, Self-efficacy, Self-evaluation","PeriodicalId":250685,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE)","volume":"3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114752130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2019-08-08DOI: 10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a505
S. Zantsi, J. Greyling, N. Vink
The objective of this study was to improve our understanding of the diversity among emerging smallholders using various commonly used indicators. These were reviewed and applied to a sample of 379 emerging smallholders situated in three major smallholding districts within the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It was found that the typical emerging farmer has the following profile: He is black, situated in a former homeland and is 58 years old. The typical farmer cultivates field crops as a secondary source of food and income, but keeps livestock as primary and secondary sources of income. The average emerging smallholder mostly grows maize for own consumption given a crop commercialisation index (CCI) of 0.66 and sells a greater portion of his cabbage and potatoes given CCIs of 0.73 and 0.83 respectively. The average emerging farmer earns a net income of R26 600 per year, but there is an income inequality, since the most successful farmer earns 26.7 times the average income. This translates to a Ghini coefficient of 0.48, which is high by international standards, but low compared to the South African average of 63.1. When speaking to fellow farmers, it was found that 78% of them feel constrained by farming in a homeland, but only 72% would be willing to move from their homeland, with most (45%) saying that they would only do so if they were provided with sufficient government support. Keywords: Eastern Cape Province, Emerging farmer, Survey
{"title":"Towards A Common Understanding Of 'emerging Farmer' In A South African Context Using Data From A Survey Of Three District Municipalities In The Eastern Cape Province","authors":"S. Zantsi, J. Greyling, N. Vink","doi":"10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a505","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2019/v47n2a505","url":null,"abstract":"The objective of this study was to improve our understanding of the diversity among emerging smallholders using various commonly used indicators. These were reviewed and applied to a sample of 379 emerging smallholders situated in three major smallholding districts within the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It was found that the typical emerging farmer has the following profile: He is black, situated in a former homeland and is 58 years old. The typical farmer cultivates field crops as a secondary source of food and income, but keeps livestock as primary and secondary sources of income. The average emerging smallholder mostly grows maize for own consumption given a crop commercialisation index (CCI) of 0.66 and sells a greater portion of his cabbage and potatoes given CCIs of 0.73 and 0.83 respectively. The average emerging farmer earns a net income of R26 600 per year, but there is an income inequality, since the most successful farmer earns 26.7 times the average income. This translates to a Ghini coefficient of 0.48, which is high by international standards, but low compared to the South African average of 63.1. When speaking to fellow farmers, it was found that 78% of them feel constrained by farming in a homeland, but only 72% would be willing to move from their homeland, with most (45%) saying that they would only do so if they were provided with sufficient government support. Keywords: Eastern Cape Province, Emerging farmer, Survey","PeriodicalId":250685,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE)","volume":"61 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132994791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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