Extension education impacts of farming systems research in Lesotho
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Date
1986-01
Authors
Youmans, David Vance
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Farming systems research is an approach to agricultural
development in which farmers join scientists in mutual,
interdisciplinary problem solving activities on farmers'
lands, In that context,· extension education, a nonformal
mode developed in the agricultural setting, plays a central
and vital role in the dissemination of information and the
diffusion of innovations.
The farming systems research and extension strategy has been
at work in Lesotho since 1979 as a fully integrated policy
in the Research Division of the Ministry of agriculture and
Marketing. Funded by the United States Agency for
International Development, faculty members of Washington
State University have worked as advisors and colleagues with
national officers and members of farming communities in
carrying out appropriate activities;
Extension education programmes have been conducted among· a
number of clienteles since 1981, addressing such areas of
need as rural organization, village leadership, extension
methods, and technical agriculture from a variety of fields
and at several levels of instruction. Members of organized
farmer contact groups as participants and diffusors, village
chiefs and headpersons, and government extension workers and
subject matter specialists were three key target groups for
extension education programmes.
This study concentrated on a threefold task. First, it
undertook to review and substantiate the role and dynamics
of extension education in agricultural development, in
general and as reflected in farming systems research
activities in Lesotho, Second, it sought to assess the
impacts of extension education programmes in the above
context in terms of changes in knowledge, attitudes, skills,
aspirations (KASA), agricultural practices and, where
possible, end results, using a reflective appraisal of
programmes (RAP) methodology to ascertain those outcomes.
Third, it expected to formulate conclusions and advance
recommendations for the improvement of future such
programmes based on the evidence thus derived, together with
any other discoveries made during the course of the study.
In basing this research on the 1979 - 1984 segment 9f the
farming systems research intervention in Lesotho, and in
seeing it through to its contemplated closure the researcher ·
concludes that the outcomes demonstrate that there have been
impressive, at times dramatic, KASA changes among the three
key clienteles perceived by their members as directly
related to the extension education programmes under study.
Likewise, practice change in all three groups, while more
variable, was significant as vividly described by the
participants themselves. Finally, end results, best seen
among the farmer contact groups, disclosed such real
benefits as better meals for families, higher crop yields,
improved condition of animals and increased incomes. The
members of those same farmers groups had become effective
disseminators and diffusers, reaching nearly nine other
farmers each.
It is further concluded that, while farming systems research
is neither a panacea for low productivity nor a blueprint
for Africa, it is a useful and dynamic development strategy,
and that, as in other strategies, extension education is
both central and critical to dissemination of information
and diffusion of innovations. Extension education
programmes, designed according to available resource levels,
do produce positive change in participants' learning,
practical behaviour and end benefits. Women, as a dynamic
human resource in the development formula, must be
considered in the design and delivery of extension
programmes. And, urgent research into extension education
for the developing world is required so that new flexible and
realistic methodologies might be perfected to meet the
challenge of the millennium.
Description
Keywords
Agriculture, Agricultural expansion work, Agriculture -- Lesotho, Thesis (D.Ed. (History of Education and Comparative Education))--University of the Free State, 1986