S. Chamala

Measuring impacts of an holistic farm business management training program

A case study approach within an action research framework incorporating qualitative and quantitative domains was adopted to explore the impact on Queensland farmers of a farm business management extension programme. Three new indices were developed to quantify changes perceived by participants. The first measure, the Bennett Change Index, provided statistically significant evidence that attitudinal and behavioural changes were more frequent in participants with less formal education, but also more frequent in participants who had high urbanisation and self-directed learning index scores. The other 2 new indices, Management Constructs Change and Management Objectives Change, provided evidence of statistically significant changes in participant beliefs about, and attitudes towards, farm business management. Although highly correlated with each other, these changes were unrelated statistically to any of 6 other commonly used biographical or psychometric indices employed; including level of formal education. It is concluded that these new measures, with context-relevant modifications, have potential as aids to programme impact evaluation in a range of agricultural and wider applications. They may provide insights into personal psychological issues that complement direct behavioural measures of change.

Social and environmental impacts of modernization of agriculture in developing countries

In the early 1950s many developing countries lacked indigenous research and technology capability. In their desperate attempts to modernize traditional agriculture they selectively borrowed technology and strategies of development from the West. Green revolution technology produced some impressive results in food production but also increased poverty and caused deterioration of the environment. It is easier to be critical than to find universal solutions to solve complex problems of development in diverse agro-climatic and socio-political systems. This paper examines the external megaforces, namely international agricultural centers, trade, bilateral aid, and international organizations affecting modernization of agriculture in developing countries, and provides a balanced critique on positive and negative impacts of modernization in these countries. General trends of social and environmental impacts are briefly summarized. New approaches undertaken by international centers and by some developing countries to overcome social and environmental impacts of modern agriculture are reviewed. Mechanisms to generate appropriate agricultural technology development and management of delivery services are suggested to achieve integrated socio-economic welfare of the people and sustainable environment.

Community Participation in Soil Conservation Programs in Australia

Soil erosion presents a constant and serious threat to agriculture, as well as to communities, in Australia. Soil conservation, therefore, is a concern for both farmers and communities alike. Soil conservation programs are a major thrust of extension agricultural programs in Australia. Community participation is an important part of these conservation programs. Four states in Australia have district soil conservation advisory committees. These committees are studied as an example of community participation. Both committee members and the extension officers who work with the committees are included in the study. Results indicate that both committee members and extension officers agree that the advisory committees contribute significantly to the conservation programs in their areas. However, the two groups disagree in terms of what the most important accomplishments of the committees have been. Thus, while the committees are generally viewed positively, there is some potential for problems related to the di...