Communication, Extension And Smallholder Farmers In South Africa: Targeting The Poor In The Development Process

International Journal of Economics and Management Studies
© 2020 by SSRG - IJEMS Journal
Volume 7 Issue 5
Year of Publication : 2020
Authors : Elliot M. Zwane, Robert Agunga, Chris O. Igodan
pdf
How to Cite?

Elliot M. Zwane, Robert Agunga, Chris O. Igodan, "Communication, Extension And Smallholder Farmers In South Africa: Targeting The Poor In The Development Process," SSRG International Journal of Economics and Management Studies, vol. 7,  no. 5, pp. 17-26, 2020. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939125/IJEMS-V7I5P104

Abstract:

In 2008, the Government of South Africa declared its extension system as the weakest link in its agricultural development program and, with funding from The Netherlands Government, established the Extension Recovery Plan (ERP) to transform it. The ERP is entering its eighth year, and it may be too early to measure its impact. However, in 2011, our research group, called ExtensionAfrica, conducted extension surveys in nine African countries, South Africa included, aimed at understanding the training needs of extension workers. Our study found that in South Africa, as well as in the other eight countries, the primary need of extension workers is for training in development and communication, otherwise referred to the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as “Communication for Development” (C4D). In their joint 2007 report, World Congress on Communication for Development: Lessons, Challenges, and the Way Forward, the World Bank and FAO reported that “communication is integral to the development and to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. For this reason, it must be built into development planning and embedded in strategies for poverty reduction, health planning, and governance” (p. xxvii). Similarly, it is noted that African governments have adopted integrated rural development programs (IRDPs) and, more recently, National Poverty Reduction Strategy Programs (NPRSPs) as a way of promoting holistic development [1]. However, he warned that while these IRDPs and PRSPs are becoming increasingly complex, extension workers charged with their implementation lack the sophistication to cope with this complexity. Thus, our study has concluded that C4D training is essential to transforming Extension in South Africa as well as in Sub-Saharan Africa and recommends a C4D framework for empirical testing and replication as a way to smallholder farmer productivity, reduce poverty, and achieve food security in Africa [2].

Keywords:

Extension Recovery Plan, Information and Communication and Technologies (ICTs), Communication for Development (C4D), Integrated Rural Development (IRD).

References:

[1] Rondinelli, D. A., Development projects as policy experiments: An adaptive approach to development administration, (1993). 2nd edition. New York: Routledge
[2] Agunga, R., Communication for Development: A Personal Experience with Implications for Development Policy. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension(2012).
[3] R.A. Agunga,  Ndiaye, C. Igodan., needs of Agricultural Extension workers in Senegal, Journal of Extension Systems, 30(1) (2014). 
[4] Purcell, D. L. & Anderson, J. R., Agricultural extension and research: Achievements and problems in national systems. A World Bank operations evaluation study. Washington, D. C.: The World Bank., (1997).
[5] J. Lennie., & J.O. Tacchi., Researching, Monitoring and Evaluating Communication for Development: Trends, Challenges, and Approaches. Report on Literature review and consultations with Expert Reference Group. And UN Focal points on C4D. Prepared for United Nations Inter-Agency Group on Communication for Development., (2011).
[6] Inagaki, N., Communicating the Impact of Communication for Development: Recent Trends in Empirical Research. Washington, DC: The World Bank., (2007).
[7] E. McCall., Communication for Development: Strengthening the effectiveness of the United Nations, (2011), Oslo Governance Center, Norway, 24 May 2011.
[8] World Bank., World Congress on Communication for Development: Lessons, Challenges, and the Way., (2007).  
[9] D.Gray-Felder.,  Anthology: Communication for Social Change. Next Steps in Advocating Greenwood Press., (2003).
[10] J. Ascroft.,   What is development support communication? University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa., (1992).
[11] G. Duvel., Towards Developing an Appropriate Extension Approach, Purposeful or Programmed Extension. Business Enterprise, University of Pretoria., (2002).
[12] Winrock International, Future directions in agriculture and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) at USAID. Arkansas: Winrock., (2003).
[13] E.M. Zwane.,  Participatory development of an extension approach and policy for Limpopo Province, South Africa Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Pretoria., (2009).
[14] Awa N. E.,  Extension education and communication in agricultural and rural development. In Development communication for agriculture. Samanta, R. K (ed.). Delhi, India: B. R. Publishing Corporation, (1990) 159 – 171.
[15] B.C. West, D. Drake, and A. Londo.,  Extension: A modern-day pony express? Journal of Extension [On-line], 47(2) (2009) Article 2COM1. Retrieved from http://www.joe.org/joe/2009april/comm1.php
[16] D.A. Dillman, J.D. Smyth & L.M. Christian. Internet, Mail, and Mixed Mail Surveys. The Tailored Designed Method. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons(2009).   
[17] L. G Schiffman,. and L. L Kanuk,. Consumer Behaviour. London: Prentice-Hall (1997). 
[18] Phuhlisani Solutions. , International and local approaches to rural development. Key issues and questions: A review of literature for the Frankenstein Municipality. , (2009).
[19] National Framework for Extension Recovery Plan., Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries. Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, Republic of South Africa. Communications Services, Private Bag X144 (2011) 0001.
[20] Norms and Standards., Support programs requiring the extension and advisory services, Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Pretoria, (2005).
[21] R.H. Schwass, & ALLO, A.V., Training the extension worker. Professional requirements of the extension worker. Course content for training extension service personnel. Food and technology Center Extension bulletin, Ministry of Agriculture, Tel Aviv, Israel, (1982).
[22] Mkhize, Z., Five-year journey of Extension Recovery Programe. Presentation Delivered during Sekhukhune District Extension, Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, (2013).
[23] V. Hoffman, V. Gerster-Bentaya. M. Christinck.A., and M.Lemma., ICT an Integrative tool”. Rural Extension. Basic Issues and Concepts.3rd Edition. Margraf Publishers, 1 (2009).
[24] D.F. Rutatora, & Mattee, A. Z., Major Agricultural Extension Providers In Tanzania, African Study Monographs, 22(4) (2001) 155-173, December, pp. 155 – 190. Centre for Sustainable Rural Development, Sokoine University of Agriculture.
[25] R. Wambura, D.Acker, and Mwasyete, K.K., Extension System in Tanzania: Identifying, (2012).
[26] B.M Simpson, & C.G..Burpee.,  Adaptation under the “new normal” of climate change: The future of agricultural extension and advisory services. MEAS Discussion Paper Series on Good Practices and Best Fit Approaches in Extension and Advisory Service Provision. www.meas-extension.org. Leader with Associates , (2014).   
[27] V.M. Mmenewald., Groenewald, J. A., Schalkwyk, H. D. van & Sebopetsa, M. P., An evaluation of the quality of government extension services in West Coast District of Western Cape Province, RSA. International Journal of Sustainable Development. 4/12/2012, (2012) 113 – 126.
[28] Nuffic Report ., Strengthening Agricultural Extension in South Africa. Nuffic Capacity Building Report. Accessed online in www.nuffic.nl, (2013).
[29] Akpalu, D.A., Agricultural Extension Service Delivery in a Semi-Arid Rural Area in South Africa: The Case of Thorndale in Limpopo Province, African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development. 13(4) (2013).
[30] R. Khanal, & Thapliya, J.N., Proposal for the Financial Autonomy of Agriculture Communication Division., Prepared for the Ministry of Agriculture, HMG/N, Government of Nepal, United Nations Development Program., (1992).
[31] P. Mefalopulos, Development Communication Sourcebook: Broadening the Boundaries of communication.Washington DC. World Bank., (2008).
[32] C. Van Rooyen,  and J. van Zyl,(in Hadebe G.P, 2010). Factors influencing performance on extension services within the Lejweleputswa district. Paper presented at the South African Society for Agricultural Extension Conference, May (2010) 4-7. Langebaan, Western Cape, South Africa.
[33] G.P. Hadebe.,  Factors influencing performance on extension services within the Lejweleputswa district. Paper presented at the South African Society for Agricultural Extension Conference, (2010) 4-7. Langebaan, Western Cape, South Africa.
[34] GRAS, In  GFRAS , New Extensionist, Introduction to Facilitation  Module., (2012). Accessed on-line: http://www.g-fras.org/en/activities/the-new-extensionist.html. 20 March 2020.