No abstract

The emergence of new agricultural development paradigms has led to challenging the conventional methods of delivering important services to farmers and the transformation of traditional societies into modern societies. Across the developing countries, agricultural is a major contributor to GDP and employment. The objective of this paper was to assess the use of ICTs in delivery of agricultural extension services in Gedaref State, Sudan. The primary data were collected from 94 extension officers represent total sample size in the Gedaref State in growing season2018/2019. Well-constructed questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were coded, fed to computer and statistically analyzed by using (SPSS) software, emphasized on descriptive statistics analysis and Chi-squire Test. The results indicated that the majority of the respondents (72.3%) used ICTs and 47.8% of the extension officers used ICTs for audiences as multiple purposes services. Also 93.6% of the respondents faced more than one constraint when using ICTs. Results of chi-square test showed significant association between some ICTs (mobile phone, computer, digital camera, audiovisual aids, TV) and their purpose (P=0.001). Significant association between ICTs and constraints of using ICTs in delivery of agricultural extension services (P=0.001). This paper concluded that the use of ICTs in the delivery of agricultural extension services to extension clienteles in Gedaref State is still in the beginning stages according to the high percentage of using traditional ICTs such as TV in comparison to modern ICTs such as smart phone and internet websites. The paper recommends that more efforts should be exerted to train extension officers and beneficiaries on the active use of modern ICTs.

This study was conducted at Wad Medani Great Locality, Sudan- season 2016. The study attempts to assess the components that transferring agricultural extension services to the farmers involving services centers, also to assess the old components through the links between each other’s, type of the link, and information transferring cost. The primary data were collected from a field surveys using a well-structured questionnaire. Secondary data was collected from books and scientific journals. The quota sample technique was used and 322 farmers were selected as the study population. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for data analysis focusing on descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Results indicated that 64% of the respondents have landowner, 70% of their agricultural experience less than 15 years, and 79% Invested in cotton, corn, wheat, and peanuts, and 76%, 68%, 75%, and 71% of the respondents their source of fertilizer, fertilizer information, pesticides, and pesticides information were service centers respectively. 71% of the farmers assess that their links with extension were strong- direct- official, 62% and 92% of the respondents stated the personal method was used for delivering information by extension is its and the service centers respectively. Services centers were quick response partners and extension was the less cost. Results of correlation analysis showed that the link with extension had high significant with the source of seeds (.011) (R=-.142), and highly significant with the source of fertilizer (.000) the value (R=.317), fertilizer information, pesticides, and pesticides information (.000) the value (R=.271). The result of the regression test of the farmers showed a high significant link with the extension (.487 beta). The research recommended information should be transferred to all agricultural partners; Training sessions have to be held to all extension officers and ASCs workers, using more than one approach for conducting the extension process.

The present work was conducted in poultry production units in Aljafarah area, Libya. The objective of this paper was to illustrate the role that played by the private agricultural extension represented in units of veterinary services consultations, the veterinary pharmacies and advisory services offices in the field of poultry production. The population of this paper represented by total number of actual producers of poultry in the site, total number of units of veterinary services, and advisory guidance of the private sector. A number of 30 extension worker at private sector extension units and 138 from poultry producers were selected as sample size. A closed ended questionnaire was designed to collect the data from the two groups of the study. The collected data were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentage and chi square test. Results showed that more than 50% of the poultry producers have depended only on the private sector agricultural extension units as a main source of information concerning their work; also most of the respondents (98.6%) had a positive assessment for the private sector extension. Most of the private extension (76.6%) offered no training to their staff members. Half of the respondents in private extension were sometimes involved in dissemination of innovations. The results extended to reveal that there was a significant association and dependency in the positive direction between research centers and dissemination of research results by private extension among poultry producers. Also, there was a very high significant association between techniques adopted by the poultry producers and the techniques which had been promoted by the private sector extension. The findings of this paper revealed that the private agricultural extension has played an important role and resulted in a positive impact in the field of poultry production. It helped to disseminate, promote innovation, new techniques and training to producers in addition to their supervision and follow up of poultry producers. This had led producers to increase production and increase their incomes. It is recommended that the ministry of agriculture should improve the activities of the public agricultural extension, facilitate and support the private extension work. Also the private extension units should train their staff and equip them with appropriate knowledge and skills.

Organic farming is widely used in the world. It is known by its low cost, high yield, high income, and food safety. The aim of this paper was to assess the extension officer’s attitude towards organic farming in Khartoum State. A sample size of 40 extension officers was selected for this paper by using full account sampling technique. A close-ended questionnaire was constructed and used for data collection. The collected data were coded and statistically analyzed by using SPSS, discussed, interpreted using descriptive analysis. The attitudes of extension officers were measured according to Likert scale. Results showed that the extension officers in Khartoum State had a positive attitude towards organic farming. The results indicated the extension officers were use 62.5% T.V, 65% radio and Internet, and 57.5% extension periodicals as information source. Also 87.5% of extension officers stated that the organic farming can contribute widely in national economy and rural development and 85% confirm that Sudan in need for organic farming. Result of Likert scale measurement showed that extension officers have a positive attitude towards all parameter measured. The results of correlation coefficient depicted that the relationship between some parameter measured showed positive moderate (r= .255), (r=.359*), and (r=.302). It can be concluded that organic farming in the study area is well accepted by extension officers and promised. The study recommended that the government has to play an important role to support organic farming through policy development and to support research. The extension officers should be subjected to frequent training programs in organic farming.