Evaluating Agricultural Extension Frameworks in Resource-Constrained Regions: Strengths and Weaknesses
Keywords:
Agricultural extension frameworks, Enhancing farming practices, Improving livelihoods, Resource-constrained regions
Abstract
Agricultural extension frameworks are crucial in enhancing farming practices and improving livelihoods in resource-constrained regions. This study evaluates five prominent agricultural extension frameworks: Farmer Field School (FFS), Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Training of Trainers (ToT), Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (AKIS), and Farmer-to-Farmer Extension (F2FE) to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The analysis reveals that while each framework has merits such as participatory learning and scalability, they also face challenges including resource intensity and limited reach. This paper proposes a hybrid model integrating the strengths of these frameworks while addressing their limitations, aiming to provide a more effective agricultural extension system for regions like Uganda.
References
Abbey, L., Dowsett, E., & Sullivan, J. (2017). Use of problem-based learning in the teaching and learning of horticultural production. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 23(1), 61-78.
Blaettler, A., Germundsson, S., Sutherland, L., Banks, J., Boyce, W., & Martinat, S. (2023). Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (AKIS) in Resource-Constrained Regions.
Butt, T. M., Gao, Q., & Hussan, M. Z. Y. (2015). An analysis of the effectiveness farmer field school (FFS) approach in sustainable rural livelihood (SRL): The experience of Punjab-Pakistan. Agricultural Sciences, 6(10), 1164-1175.
Chang, Y.-J., & Lin, M.-Y. (2016). Challenges of Problem-Based Learning in Agricultural Extension.
Condliffe, B. (2017). Project-Based Learning: A Literature Review. Working Paper. MDRC.
Easterly III, W., et al. (2017). Developing Cognitive Skills through Problem-Based Learning in Agriculture.
Franzel, S., Kiptot, E., & Degrande, A. (2019). Farmer-to-farmer extension: A low-cost approach for promoting climate-smart agriculture. In T S. Rosenstock, A. Nowak & E. Girvetz (Eds.), The climate-smart agriculture papers: Investigating the Business of a productive, resilient and Low emission future (pp. 277-288). Springer.
Fulgencio, J., & Asino, T. (2021). OER Training of Trainers Model: A possible diffusion strategy. Asian Journal of Distance Education, 16(2).
Germundsson, M. (2021). The Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (AKIS): A Comprehensive Overview.
Karanja, D., Kiptot, E., & Franzel, S. (2017). The Volunteer Farmer Trainer Approach Three Years after the Exit of the East Africa Dairy Development Project: A Case Study of Four Dairy Producer Organizations in Kenya. Research Report. ICRAF, Nairobi.
Kenya, P., et al. (2016). Farmer Field Schools: Outcomes and Impact on Rural Livelihoods.
Kiptot, E., Karuhanga, N., Franzel, S., & Nzigamasabo, L. (2016). Building Local Capacity through ToT Approaches in Agricultural Extension.
Meena, H., Bhasme, S., & Taylor, M. (2018). Gender Dynamics in Farmer-to-Farmer Extension (F2FE) Systems in Agriculture.
Mfitumukiza, D., Barasa, B., Nankya, A. M., Dorothy, N., Owasa, A. H., Siraj, B., & Gerald, K. (2017). Assessing the farmer field schools diffusion of knowledge and adaptation to climate change by smallholder farmers in Kiboga District, Uganda. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 9(5), 74-83.
Muhereza, D., Pritchard, B., & Collins, J. (2023). Farmer-to-Farmer Extension: Insights from Uganda.
Mwesigwa, D. (2021). Efficacy of farmer field schools in achieving participatory technology development among smallholder farmers in the Hoima district, Uganda. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education (JSHE), 1(4), 309-321.
Sah, U., Singh, S. K., & Pal, J. K. (2021). Farmer-To-Farmer Extension (F2FE) approach for speedier dissemination of agricultural technologies: A review. The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 91(10), 1419-1425.
Shekmohammed, S., Hany, U., & Lemma, S. (2023). Review of Farmers Field School Approach for Facilitation of Climate Smart Agriculture. International Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, 5, 9-17.
Simona, C., Valentina, C., Alberto, S., Maria Assunta, D. O., & Proietti, P. (2020). AKIS and advisory services in Italy. Report for the AKIS inventory (Task 1.2) of the i2connect project.
Sutherland, L. A., Adamsone-Fiskovica, A., Elzen, B., Koutsouris, A., Laurent, C., Stræte, E. P., & Labarthe, P. (2023). Advancing AKIS with assemblage thinking. Journal of Rural Studies, 97, 57-69.
Taylor, M., & Bhasme, S. (2018). Model farmers, extension networks and the politics of agricultural knowledge transfer. Journal of Rural Studies, 64, 1-10.
Thorburn, K. (2015). Global Impact of Farmer Field Schools: Successes and Challenges.
Wells, J., et al. (2015). Problem-Based Learning and Entrepreneurial Mindset in Agriculture.
Blaettler, A., Germundsson, S., Sutherland, L., Banks, J., Boyce, W., & Martinat, S. (2023). Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (AKIS) in Resource-Constrained Regions.
Butt, T. M., Gao, Q., & Hussan, M. Z. Y. (2015). An analysis of the effectiveness farmer field school (FFS) approach in sustainable rural livelihood (SRL): The experience of Punjab-Pakistan. Agricultural Sciences, 6(10), 1164-1175.
Chang, Y.-J., & Lin, M.-Y. (2016). Challenges of Problem-Based Learning in Agricultural Extension.
Condliffe, B. (2017). Project-Based Learning: A Literature Review. Working Paper. MDRC.
Easterly III, W., et al. (2017). Developing Cognitive Skills through Problem-Based Learning in Agriculture.
Franzel, S., Kiptot, E., & Degrande, A. (2019). Farmer-to-farmer extension: A low-cost approach for promoting climate-smart agriculture. In T S. Rosenstock, A. Nowak & E. Girvetz (Eds.), The climate-smart agriculture papers: Investigating the Business of a productive, resilient and Low emission future (pp. 277-288). Springer.
Fulgencio, J., & Asino, T. (2021). OER Training of Trainers Model: A possible diffusion strategy. Asian Journal of Distance Education, 16(2).
Germundsson, M. (2021). The Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (AKIS): A Comprehensive Overview.
Karanja, D., Kiptot, E., & Franzel, S. (2017). The Volunteer Farmer Trainer Approach Three Years after the Exit of the East Africa Dairy Development Project: A Case Study of Four Dairy Producer Organizations in Kenya. Research Report. ICRAF, Nairobi.
Kenya, P., et al. (2016). Farmer Field Schools: Outcomes and Impact on Rural Livelihoods.
Kiptot, E., Karuhanga, N., Franzel, S., & Nzigamasabo, L. (2016). Building Local Capacity through ToT Approaches in Agricultural Extension.
Meena, H., Bhasme, S., & Taylor, M. (2018). Gender Dynamics in Farmer-to-Farmer Extension (F2FE) Systems in Agriculture.
Mfitumukiza, D., Barasa, B., Nankya, A. M., Dorothy, N., Owasa, A. H., Siraj, B., & Gerald, K. (2017). Assessing the farmer field schools diffusion of knowledge and adaptation to climate change by smallholder farmers in Kiboga District, Uganda. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 9(5), 74-83.
Muhereza, D., Pritchard, B., & Collins, J. (2023). Farmer-to-Farmer Extension: Insights from Uganda.
Mwesigwa, D. (2021). Efficacy of farmer field schools in achieving participatory technology development among smallholder farmers in the Hoima district, Uganda. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education (JSHE), 1(4), 309-321.
Sah, U., Singh, S. K., & Pal, J. K. (2021). Farmer-To-Farmer Extension (F2FE) approach for speedier dissemination of agricultural technologies: A review. The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 91(10), 1419-1425.
Shekmohammed, S., Hany, U., & Lemma, S. (2023). Review of Farmers Field School Approach for Facilitation of Climate Smart Agriculture. International Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, 5, 9-17.
Simona, C., Valentina, C., Alberto, S., Maria Assunta, D. O., & Proietti, P. (2020). AKIS and advisory services in Italy. Report for the AKIS inventory (Task 1.2) of the i2connect project.
Sutherland, L. A., Adamsone-Fiskovica, A., Elzen, B., Koutsouris, A., Laurent, C., Stræte, E. P., & Labarthe, P. (2023). Advancing AKIS with assemblage thinking. Journal of Rural Studies, 97, 57-69.
Taylor, M., & Bhasme, S. (2018). Model farmers, extension networks and the politics of agricultural knowledge transfer. Journal of Rural Studies, 64, 1-10.
Thorburn, K. (2015). Global Impact of Farmer Field Schools: Successes and Challenges.
Wells, J., et al. (2015). Problem-Based Learning and Entrepreneurial Mindset in Agriculture.
Published
2024-10-08
How to Cite
Kobusiingye, F., Ssembatya, R., Kaggwa, F., & Ejiri, A. H. (2024). Evaluating Agricultural Extension Frameworks in Resource-Constrained Regions: Strengths and Weaknesses. European Journal of Science, Innovation and Technology, 4(4), 306-310. Retrieved from https://ejsit-journal.com/index.php/ejsit/article/view/517
Issue
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2024 Florah Kobusiingye, Richard Ssembatya, Fred Kaggwa, Annabella Habinka Ejiri
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
ISSN 
