Progress 11/13/15 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:Project Director has retired and is unable to complete Final Report. Project should be closed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Project Director has retired and is unable to complete Final Report. Project should be closed.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:Project director has retired and is unable to complete this progress report. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Project director has retired and is unable to complete this progress report.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:My research is of benefit to a large audience. First, governments and policymakers of developing countries are in need of a development strategy that works and this is a development strategy ready for application. Second are policymakers of international development organizations, such as USAID, World Bank and other multilateral, nongovernmental and bilateral organizations. The primary mission of these organizations is to help developing countries achieve food security, poverty reduction and sustainable development. Yet, for more than 60 decades finding workable strategies have proved elusive. Until now. Therefore, this C4D strategy is a concept whose time has come. A third group of beneficiaries are researchers, such as students and faculty members at universities and other social science researchers on how to improve the human condition. This study reveals the role of communication in social change and development and opens a new window for research on communication for social change. Changes/Problems:Pakistan is the six largest country in the world and over 80% of its farmers are subsistence cultivators. Extension is seen as the key to increased agricultural productivity and at present the land grant model offers the main attraction to the Ministry of Agriculture. Therefore, it appears timely for USAID to expand its support for the C4D Master's curriculum and community development programs. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has the opportunity to generatetraining and professional development in the training of trainers. There will be training of trainers not only in the pilot districts but these will go on to train youth, women, and small holder farmers throughout the country. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?In Pakistan, the communities of interest for the C4D project are the universities, the Ministry of Agriculture and public and private business agencies. The main methods of disseminating information will include a mixture ofpublic andprivate presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, I hope to involve all stakeholders in discussions and information sharing, which will lead to achievement of project goals.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
As luck will have it, the researcher did not have funding to conduct this research in Africa but received nearly $220,000 (or almost $440,000) if the Pakistan side of the funding is included. The project is called Improving Agricultural Extension in Pakistan through Communication for Development (C4D) under theUS/Pakistan Science & Technology (S&T), three-year grant. Over the three years, the project seeks to achieve the following goals: a)establisha Master's degree program in C4D at Arid University of Agriculture at Rawalpind; b) access the training needs of extension workers and design short-term training activities to address them; andc) to mobilize women, youth and smallholder farmers into special interest groups for economic development. The Master's curriculum in C4D was widely promoted not only at Arid University but also attracted interest from the UniversityofFaisalabad, perhaps the largestuniversity. Peshawar University of Agriculture is another that became interested in the C4D Master's curriculum. All three universities want to initate the Land Grant Model by using agricultural extension as a means of reaching andinvolving smallholder, women and youth farmers. What is unique about these universities is that many oftheir Vice Chancellors and Deans were trainedin the United States and hencetheirattractionto the Land Grant System. Another unique characteristic of these universities is that they were built by USAID. Peshawar University of Agriculture was built exclusively by USAIDin 1981 and people in the province have grown to praise USAID for its kindness. Many components of Faisalabad University have also been built by USAID through USAID funding. Thus, the three universities find the C4D strategy for improving extension viable given its emphasis on promotingpeople participation, decentralized and democratic decision-making; and capacity building.In 2018, the PI conducted a training needs assessment in six pilot districts to assess the capaity building needsextension, youth, women and smallholder farmers over the next three years. The PI has also made scholarly presentations at Peshawar and Faisalabad and increased C4D awareness and interest.these universities, chaired by their vice chancellors. The presentations alsodrew many crowds interested in the C4D concept. Among many audiences in Pakistan, especially extension workers, the importance of communication as the engine of development was also well established. Five main types oftraining initiatives are needed. One is a two-weekparticipatory extension communication training for extension workers and one-week eachyouth, women and smallholder farmers training programs. This will take a "training of trainers" approach whereby the PI will develop a one week training model for each audience--youth, women, smallholder farmers and extension. And, after a number of timesnational training teams for each audience will perform these functions, not only in the pilot districts but throughout the country.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Umair Talib, Ijaz Ashraf, Robert Agunga, Khalid Mahmood Chaudhary (2018). Public and Private Agricultural Extension Services as Sources of Information for Capacity Building of Smallholder Farmers in Pakistan". In The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (The JAPS) published in The JAPS 28 (6) 2018 December). www.thejaps.org.pk. Impact factor 0.422.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Robert Agunga & Ruth Sleshi (2018). "Curbing Post-Harvest Losses for Food Security: A Survey of Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ethiopia," World Journal of Social Science> Vol 5, No 2 (2018) , Impact Factor (2018): 0.48
h-index (January 2018): 4i10-index (January 2018): 0
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
"Empowering Women Farmers in Tanzania Through Communication for Development'" World Journal of Social Science> Vol 5, No 2 (2018, Robert Agunga, Camilius Aloyce Sanga, Elizabeth IsayaVol 5, No 2 (2018) > Agunga, Impact Factor (2017): 0.48 h-index (January 2018): 4 i10-index (January 2018): 0
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:This year the researcher wonThe National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's social science research grantfor an international development research project titled, "Improving Agricultural Extension in Pakistan through Communication for Development." For this reason, my research on food security in Africa changed to achieving food security in Pakistan. The conviction is that a successful pilot-project in Pakistan can be replicated in other parts of the country, region and throughout the developing world. Since aid is directed at smallholder farmers, it is believed that by strengthening extension will lead to improves smallholder farmers' productivity and hence, aid effectiveness. a communication strategy for improving aid effectiveness and food security in Pakistan by strengthening agricultural extension services. Thus, mytarget audiencesinclude individuals, groups, market segments, or communities that will be served by the project. These are: administrators, faculty, staff and students of PMAS (Pir Mehr Ali Shah) Arid Agriculture University at Rawalpindi near Islamabad, Pakistan; members of the Ministry of Agriculture and agricultural communities of five districts that will serve as pilot areas for three years of the project. Myeffortsinclude: a) establishing a Master's degree in Communication for Development at the University; promoting collaboration among development partners in two provinces; and c) establishingyouth, women and smallholder farmers' associations in five districts and providing them with information, credit and allied inputs for increasing productivity. The Master's degree program will include:formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, or practicum experiences; development of curriculum or innovative teaching methodologies; internships; workshops; experiential learning opportunities; extension and outreach. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project team is conducting baseline and capacity analysis studiesof farmers and extension workers, which will reveal training needs gaps leading to the design and conduct of professional development training activities. At the post-graduate Master's degree program level, syllabi and teaching modulesare also being developed. Likewise, internship opportunities are being arranged with governmental and non-governmental organizations. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?An inaugural ceremony and workshop wereconduted in early November and wereattended by over 100 extension, research and university personnel. The nature of the project was explained to members of the communitiesof interestand their support and inputs wereobtained through workshops following the inauguration. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to: 1. Establish a post-graduate Master's degree program in Communication for Development starting February/March 2018 with at least 15 students (male and female); 2. Establish a provincial C4D coordinating center to facilitate collaboration among development partners as well as train extension workers in community mobilization and participation; 3. Conduct baseline studies and capacity analysis surveys against which to measure the impact of the project; 4. Experiment with strategies for involving youth, women and smallholder farmers in development programming; and 5. Test how communication can increase smallholder agricultural yields by 10% per year for the next three years.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The main accomplishment was being selectedone of14 projects to be awarded grants under Phase 7 of the Pakistan - U.S. Science and Technology Cooperation Program (see: www.nas.edu/pakistan_phase 7 and a press release here. My project was among 6% of 220 proposals reviewed for funding in the Phase 7Pakistan-US Science and Technology Cooperation Program call for proposals. The roughly$455,239 grant is co-funded by the USAID and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Catherine P. Msuya, Festus K. Annor-Frempong, Margaret N. Magheni, Robert Agunga, Chris Igodan, Ademola A. Ladele, Keba Huelela, Nelson M. Tselaesele, Henry Msatilomo, Clodina Chowa, Elliot Zwane, Richard Miiro, Christopher Bukeyn, Laetitia A. Kima, Majory Meliko, Amadou Ndiaye (2017). The role of agricultural extension in Africa's development, the importance of extension workers and the need for change. International Journal of Agricultural Extension, Int.J.Agr.Ext. 05(01) 2017, 59-70.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Agunga R; Hassen R; Sleshi R. (2017). Towards a Professionalism of Agricultural Extension in Africa. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture Research, Vol. 6, No. 2.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Cahyono E; Agunga R. (2016). Policy and practice of participatory extension in Indonesia: A case study of extension agents in East Java Province. Journal of Agricultural and Extension Education, Vol. 23(Issue 3), pp. 12-32.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Robert Agunga & Ruth Sleshi. Curbing post-harvest losses for food security: A survey of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (Revised and resubmitted)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Agunga, R., Hassen, R. & Sleshi, R. (2016). Towards a professionalism of Agricultural Extension in Africa: Views of extension practitioners in Ghana and Ethiopia. Paper presented at the Ninth Annual ASMEA Conference Taking the Long View: Assessing Change in the Middle East and Africa. October 27 29, 2016 | Key Bridge Marriott Hotel |Washington, D. C.
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Progress 11/13/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Presented a paper on "Towards a professionalism of agricultural extension in Africa," at the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA), with over about 350, presentation attracted about 30 participants, Sept. 27 - 29, 2016. Presented a needs assessment and capacity analysis on: Proposed New Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Program in Food, Health, Energy and Water at the University of Dodoma to about 20 university administrators including Dens, Heads of Department and key staff, June 25, 2015. Invited paper presentation on "Towards an ecological paradigm for agricultural extension in Africa: Rethinking extension in the wake of climate change" to participants at an international conference on climate change and multi-dimensional sustainability in African agriculture held at SokoineUniversityof Agriculture, Hilux hotel, Morogoro, June 3 - 5, 2015. About 100 participants were in attendance. Poster presentation on "Post-Harvest Handling and Feeding the Future in Ethiopia: A Survey of Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ethiopia" by Ruth Shelshi, Senior in International Studies and Prof. Robert Agunga, Adviser, Denman Research Forum for Undergraduate Students Research, April 10, 2016. Over 300 faculty, staff and students viewed posters. Presented a discussion on Communication for Transforming Agricultural Extension and Promoting Food Security in Uganda to 30 directors and top officials and NGO directors in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries in Partnership at a workshop in Entebbe. 15 January, 2016. Made a presentation on Communication for Development at Kampala, Uganda to a team of five officials of the African Development Bank, namely: the Country Program Officer, Senior Macroeconomist, Agriculture & Rural Development Specialist, Senior Private Sector Officer and a represented the Ministry of Agriculture. Made a presentation on Communication for Development to the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources and her Cabinet including the Adviser to the Minister, Director General for Agricultural Development, Head of Crop Production & Food Security Department, and Head of the Rwanda Agriculture Board, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, among others. There were 15 officers in attendance. Made a presentation on Communication and Food Security in Ethiopia to a group of 15 people from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development and Addis Ababa University (AAU) School of Communication and Journalism. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A needs assessment and capacity analysis study I conducted in Tanzania for the University of Dodoma will lead to the establishment of fourNew Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Programs in Food, Health, Energy and Water at the University of Dodoma. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Currently, the communities of interst are: a) Development ministries of African countries, which are interested in the Communication for Development Strategy; and b) Universities and other institutions of higher learning in Africa which are interesed in the Communication for Development curriculum. The main dissemination method is visiting these countries and presenting the conept to policymakers and social science departments at universities. Countries visited this year: Ghana, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Continue to disseminate the idea. 2. Help governments write proposals to donors for funding. 3. Given Fulbright Specialist Award through the US Embassy in Ethiopia I will work with Addis Ababa University and the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development to incorporate Communication for Development in the post-graduate curriculum and in extension work.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. Was one of six recipientsof theDistinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Awardgiven by the Office of Undergraduate Education, The Ohio State University, out of over 5,000 faculty membersat The Ohio State University, March 2016. 2. Was selected to the Fulbright Specialist Roster, Council for International Exchange of Scholars,Aug 2016 - Jul 2021. 3. Requested by the U. S. Embassy in Ethiopia to assist Addis Ababa University and the Ethiopia Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development establish a graduate degree program in Communication for Development and for the Ministry of Agriculture to promote communication training or exetnsion workers. Project to be sponsored through the Fulbright Specialist Program. 4. Poster presentation on "Post-Harvest Handling and Feeding the Future in Ethiopia: A Survey of Smallholder Farmers in Northern Ethiopia" with Ruth Shelshi, Senior in International Studies, Denman Research Forum for Undergraduate Students Research, April 10, 2016.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Robert Agunga, Cahyono, Edi, Emily Buck, Scott Scheer. "Challenges of Implementing Participatory Extension in Indonesia." Journal of Communication and Media Research (JCMR). Vol. Vol. 8, No. 1, May 2016 Special Issue
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Isaya, E. L., Agunga, R., & Sanya, C. (2016). "Sources of agricultural information for women farmers in Tanzania." Information Development. Vol. Online First, (Oct 2016): pp. 1 - 13. Impact Factor: 0.787.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Robert Agunga and R. Ahmad Romadhoni Surya Putra. "Training Needs of Indonesian Agricultural Extension Workers for the 21st Century: A Recommendation Based on a Field Study." The Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD). Vol. 12, no. 2. (Dec 2015): 45 - 57.
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