Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Typescript. / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agricultural Economics)) --University of Limpopo, 2018 / Legumes are crops that are rich in protein and if households are made aware of their importance, they can be acquired at lower costs and dependency on animal proteins can also be reduced. The cowpea smallholder producers in Africa are faced with numerous challenges such as persistent pests such as aphids that reduce yields, lack of improved varieties and the inability to produce in quantities large enough to sell to local or broader markets in South Africa. The aim of this study was to examine economic efficiency of cowpea production among smallholder cowpea farmers in Capricorn and Waterberg districts of Limpopo province. The descriptive statistics indicated that interviewed farmers years of schooling ranged from 0 to 13 years, with an average of five years of attending school. Farmers’ age ranged between 33 and 78, with an average age of 61 years. The average income received on monthly basis from the overall agricultural produce was R1735.83 per farmer. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) results showed that the Technical Efficiency (TE) scores of cowpea farmers had a mean of 0,9588 with a minimum of 0,7500 and maximum of 1,000. This means that 95% of the farmers were technically efficient. The allocative Efficiency score ranges from a minimum of 0,4070 and a maximum of 1,000 with a mean of 0,6519. The Allocative Efficiency (AE) scores imply that farmers were not utilizing inputs. The Economic Efficiency scores ranges from a minimum of 0,3820 to 1,000 with a mean score of 0,6218. This implies that cowpea smallholder farmers were economically inefficient on average and that the cost of cowpea production for each farm could be decreased on average by approximately 38% to obtain the same level of output. The Tobit regression model found that the explanatory variables which were significant are age, educational level, primary income source, farm size, method of intercropping, purpose of growing cowpea and source of field labour. The study recommends that there is a need to provide primary education to the farmers for them to be able to measure and calculate the inputs they use and output they attain in order to improve their efficiency levels. Key words: Economic Efficiency, Smallholder Farmers and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA).

My thesis document is contextualised as a three year study of my practice as a facilitator of experiential learning with pastoralist farmers in my role as an agricultural extension officer. In the study I used an action research methodology to provide change and understanding in situations in which it was too difficult to control variables. In my use of the methodology, action provided change and research provided understanding. The action research methodology also provided rigour through the spiral of its cyclic process. Within the agricultural extension context, my learning outcomes about my role in working participatively and collaboratively with pastoralists, prompted significant change in my practice of facilitation. The change enabled us as an experiential learning group facilitated by an agricultural extension officer, to provide for pastoralist participants to increasingly direct their own learning. From reflection on the project observations that led to my working more collaboratively and participatively, I theorise that improved facilitation practice can derive from personal and collaborative reflection as a part of action researching. My reflection, during the process of thesis writing allowed me to use action science to demonstrate that my improved facilitiation practice came about from enhanced congruency of theories of action of participation and collaboration. Personally, I developed a more congruent practice of participation and collaboration through action researching my practice of facilitating experiential learning with pastoralists, and by reflecting on the emergent outcomes for me as the facilitator. This thesis concludes with my consideration of whether or not my specific learning outcomes may provide a foundation for some cautious expansion of the emergent outcomes of the action research such that they may be of interest to others in extension. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This study assessed through interviews the effectiveness of education and training for animal husbandry farmers in Kaohsiung County, based on the model formulated by D.L. Kirkpatrick, which includes the effectiveness of four tests on such levels as reaction, learning, behavior, and results. A s to the level of reaction, parking places were what the farmers were more cared about. Regarding curriculum, the farmers approved of what the agencies in charge had done with relation to content, teaching materials, and teachers. At the same time, the farmers more expected that more sessions could be offered, numbers of teaching hours could be increased, more pictures would be added to teaching materials, the instruction could be more practical, and teachers could describe on-site or clinical experience so as to share with the farmers. As to the level of learning, the farmers confirmed that attending education and training could increase their knowledge and technical skills in relation to preventing diseases and make them more confident in managing the farm (their work). So on the level of learning, the value is positive. The farmers looked forward to participating in visits and observation sessions so as to learn others¡¦ strengths and advantages. In addition, public health and husbandry management that have been increasingly emphasized are what the farmers most anxious to learn. As to the level of behavior, the farmers were more conservative in relation to the application of education and training in work. They would rather first try part of it, adjusted step by step, and then observed and augmented application. This was true to both farm management and workflow. However, the farmers emphasized the provision of information and sharing of practices and experience as what they needed most. As to the level of results, the farmers agreed that they could increase their production and revenue by decreasing costs and the death of animals when the animals grow up. They consider education and training helping in this regard. What the farmers really need from government agencies are focused on site work (practices). They expect government agencies to provide information, teachers, and teaching materials in this regard. At present, epidemic and contagious diseases are raging, and they hope to receive advice and assistance so as to avoid any trouble and losses that may be caused by sudden diseases.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xv, 166 p.; also includes graphics (some col.). Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: James J. Connors, Dept. of Agricultural Education. Includes bibliographical references (p. 124-134).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-167).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 87 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 84-87).

The role of farmers in technology generation and diffusion has long been identified as a key dimension in publicly funded international agricultural research. This thesis uses a case study approach to document actual research and diffusion practices andlheir outcomes, and from these it draws conclusions for research policy. The thesis compares the effects of new technology, the research processes that generated it, and the diffusion processes that promoted and disseminated it, in three countries. Particular attention is given to farmer participation and related issues deemed critical to effective research and diffusion. The technology in question is True Potato Seed, a radical alternative means for potato propagation to tuber seed, researched and promoted by the International Potato Centre in collaboration with national research institutes since 1978. The case study countries are India, Egypt, and Indonesia. Extensive quantitative and qualitative farmer surveys provide the first detailed assessment of TPS benefits, their distribntion, and likely TPS adoption. Secondary data, documentation, and in-depth interviews with key actors permit an analysis of the significant activities, decisions, and players that shaped TPS research and diffusion processes. The farmer survey evidence indicates that TPS outcomes are problematic in each country. It also reveals cases of inadequately justified TPS research and promotion largely due to a poor awareness by scientists and research managers of farmers' conditions. This thesis demonstrates that a powerful countervailing force to the pursuit of unproductive research lies in the early and effective involvement of farmers in the research process. This allows for critical weaknesses to come to light after experimentation by farmers under their own conditions of production. The inevitable geographical and institutional decentralisation that this entails, fosters a greater level of research responsiveness and an environment in which alternatives to formal extension, including farmer dissemination networks, may be stimulated and encouraged where appropriate. However, regardless of the rhetoric regarding farmer participatory approaches at an organisational level, the extent to which these are borne out in practice depends largely upon the philosophies of the key individuals who shape and direct research and promotion processes.

Today’s farmers gut feeling and Fingerspitzengefühl comes from a learning by doing. By year 2025 farmers will have less know-how than today. Foretell supports the farmers in developing their gut feeling and lead more efficient farms. By visualising data, the system provides a comprehensive overview of the farm, both in the tractor, the barn, at the field and in the office. In the transition from running a family farm to become an entrepreneur with an own company has resulted in that the farmers need to supervise the farm’s production but also have control of external conditions. Future farmers needs to quicker become experts. Through research and user studies the system Foretell have been created. Foretell connects the data available today and displays it where it is needed and when it is suitable. The mobile application shows information on the go. While the desktop version gives the user better planning tools. A new precision farming input is added in form of a near-infra-red camera that detects the plants health. With all pieces together Foretell is bringing gut feeling to farmers!