Improving Public Extension Practitioners' Technical Farm Management Knowledge and Service Delivery: Evidence from Small-Holder Farmers in Thulamela Municipality of South Africa

Afful, David Blay; Mudzanani, Joyce Funzani

doi:10.17306/j.jard.2024.01755

Abstract

Introduction

Poor-quality extension service delivery motivated the introduction of the Extension Recovery Plan (ERP) in South Africa. The paper assesses the influence of the ERP on field-level, public extension practitioners' technical farm management knowledge and delivery of farm management information to small-holder farmers in the Thulamela municipality following their qualifications' upgrade.

Methods

The study used a mixed-methods approach and employed a cross-sectional survey design. Due to logistical challenges, 80 out of 135 targeted farmers were available, and thus purposely selected for this assessment. Descriptive and inferential analytical methods were used.

Findings

The findings showed that extension practitioners' technical farm management knowledge had improved; furthermore, there was a positive relationship between extension practitioners' qualifications' upgrade and the delivery of improved technical farm management information as attested to by respondents.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that the ERP has a positive influence on extension practitioners' technical farm management knowledge as well as the delivery of improved management knowledge to producers in Thulamela Municipality.

References

Adisa, R.S. (2015). Livestock extension practice and competency among agricultural extension agents in North-Central Nigeria. S. Afr. J. Agric. Ext., 43(1), 12–21. Retrieved from: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajae/article/view/121483
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ajayi, A.O. (2006). Extension agents' marketing related services: the relevance to policy and training in Osun State, Nigeria. S. Afr. Tydskr. Landbouvoorl./S. Afr. J. Agric. Ext., 35(1), 51–70. Retrieved from: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajae/article/view/3693
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Alexander, P.A. (2005). Teaching towards expertise. In: P. Tomlinson, J. Dockrell, P. Winne (Eds.), Pedagogy-teaching for learning (pp. 29–45). Retrieved from: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2007-10763-002
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Alotaibi, B.A., Yoder, E., Brennan, M.A., Kassm, H.S. (2019). Training needs of extension agents' regarding organic agriculture in Saudi Arabia. Evaluation and Program Planning, 77 101711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101711
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Appau, A., Drope, J., Goma, F., Magati, P., Labonte, R., Makoka, D., Zulu, R., Li, Q., Lencucha, R. (2020). Explaining why farmers grow tobacco: Evidence from Malawi, Kenya and Zambia. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 22(12), 2238–2245. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntz173
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Australian Council of Professions (2003). What is a profession. Retrieved from: https://professions.org.au/what-is-a-professional/
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Bereson, M.L., Levine, D.M. (1979). Basic business statistics, concepts and applications (6^th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall International Inc.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Boshuizen, H.P.A., Broome, R., Gruber, H. (Eds.). (2004). Professional learning: Gaps and transitions on the way from novice to expert: Innovation and change in professional education. Dordrecht, the Netherlands: Kluwer Academic. Retrieved from: https://www.morainebooks.com/pages/books/770/henny-p-a-boshuizen/professional-learning-gaps-and-transitions-on-the-way-from-novice-to-expert-innovation-and-change
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cavallo, C., Brienza, M. (2001). Emotional competence and leadership excellence at Johnson & Johnson: The emotional intelligence and leadership study. Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations. Retrieved from: https://www.eiconsortium.org/reports/jj_ei_study.html
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Chen, Z., Song, S. (2008). Efficiency and Technology gap in China's agriculture: a regional meta-frontier analysis. China Econ. Rev., 19(2), 287–296. 10.1016/j.chieco.2007.03.00
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Clark, R.C. (1966). Extension as a profession. Nig. Agric. J., 3(2), 79–83. Retrieved from: https://www.ajol.info/index.php/naj/article/view/195323
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Collings, M.L. (1964). On being a professional. J. Coop. Exten., 2(1), 3–9. Retrieved from: https://archives.joe.org/joe/1964spring/1964-1-a1.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries). (2016). National policy on extension and advisory services. PART-B. Pretoria, Republic of South Africa: Directorate, National Extension Reform. Retrieved June 12^th 2023 from: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201710/daffannualreport201617finalbinder20sepa.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries). (2014). National framework for extension as a field of practice. Pretoria, Republic of South Africa: Directorate, National Extension Reform.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries). (2011). Annual report: Performance of the Extension Recovery Plan 2010/11. Pretoria, Republic of South Africa: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. https://dardlea.mpg.gov.za/documents/publications/annual_reports/2010-2011.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries). (2007). Report on the profiling of the current government-employed extension and advisory service officers. Pretoria, Republic of South Africa: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. http://www.nda.agric.za/doaDev/sideMenu/educationAndTraining/ProfileReport-19Nov2009.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Debnath, A., Saravanan, R., Datta, J.F. (2014). Job competence and job performance of the extension personnel of the Department of Agriculture in Tripura State of North-East India. Int. J. Soc. Sci., 3(2), 91–112. http://dx.doi.org/10.5958/2321-5771.2014.00095.7
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Department of Agriculture (2005). Norms and standards for extension and advisory services in agriculture. Pretoria: Scientific Research and Development.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Donaldson, J.L., Vaughan, R. (2022). A scoping study of United States Extension Professional Competencies. J. Human Sci. Exten., 10(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.54718/BNRG8317
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Elbert, J. (1998). Agricultural marketing extension: A role for extension officer in the Caribbean. Conference Proceeding of AIAEE. Tucson Arizona, USA.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
FAO (1987). Food and agriculture organisation: Marketing extension services for small farmers. AGSM Occasional Paper No 1 Marketing and Rural Finance Service Agricultural Service Division.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gamble, J. (2010). Teacher professionalism: a literature review. Retrieved from: https://www.jet.org.za
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Herrity, J. (2022). Guidelines to professionalism in the workplace. Retrieved from: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/the-ultimate-guide-to-professionalism
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hurd, H.G. (1967). What is a professional? J. Coop. Exten., 5(2), 77–84. Retrieved from: https://archives.joe.org/joe/1967summer/1967-2-a1.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Isaac, S., Michael, W.B. (1981). Handbook in Research and Evaluation. A collection of principles, methods, and strategies useful in the planning, design, and evaluation of studies in education and the behavioral sciences (3^rd ed.). San Diego: EdITS Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1002/1520-6807
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Israr, M., Ahmad, M.N., Nawab, K., Ali, S., Khan, B., Aamir, M., Ibrahim, M. (2014). Professional progress and its effect on agricultural extension agents services. J. Asian Dev. Stud., 3(1), 101–115. Retrieved from: https://www.academia.edu/12375598/Professional_Progress_and_Its_Effect_on_Agricultural_Extension_Agents_Services
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Khan, L.A., Awan, Z.A., Imran, A.U., Saleem, M., Sufyan, F., Azmat, M. (2021). The Impact of Better Management Practices (BMPs) Among Cotton Farmers in Punjab, Pakistan. J. Agric. Sci., 13(7), 74–88. https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v13n7p74
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Lencucha, R., Pal, N.E., Appau, A., Thow, A., Drope, J. (2020). Government policy and agricultural production: a scoping review to inform research and policy on healthy agricultural commodities. Glob. Health, 16(11), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-020-0542-2
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Maddy, D., Niemann, K., Lindquist, J., Bateman, K. (2002). Core competencies for the Cooperative Extension System. Personnel and Organizational Development Committee of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy. Retrieved from: https://apps.msuextension.org/careers/forms/Core_Competencies.pdf
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Martin, R.A., Sajilan, S.B. (1989). Teaching competencies needed by extension workers in transferring agricultural technologies to Malaysian Farmers. J. Agric. Edu., 30(2), 68–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.5032/jae.1989.02068
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pallant, J. (2007). SPSS Survival Manual: A Step-by-Step Guide to Data Analysis Using SPSS Version 17 (3^rd ed.). Berkshire: McGraw-Hill.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Parry, S.B. (1996). The quest for competencies. Training, 33(7), 48–56. Retrieved from: https://www.proquest.com/trade-journals/quest-competencies/docview/203398191/se-2
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Scheer, S.D., Cochran, G.R., Harder, A., Place, N.T. (2011). Competency modelling in extension. Education: Integrating an academic extension education model with an extension human resource management model. J. Agric. Edu., 52(3), 64–74. 10.5032/jae.2011.03064
Open DOI Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Smith, M.F. (1983). Sampling considerations in evaluating cooperative extension programs. Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Gainesville, Florida. Retrieved from: https://original-ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu/IR00011319/00001
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Tilson, H., Gebbie, K.M. (2004). The public health work-force. Ann. Rev. Publ. Health, 25, 341–356. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.25.102802.124357
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Truitt, D.L. (2011). The effect of training and development on employee attitude as it relates to training and work proficiency. SAGE Open 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244011433338
Search in Google Scholar Back to article