Farmers’ group organisation and operation for effective agricultural extension : a study of farmers’ discussion groups in Ellesmere County, New Zealand and Kibaha District, Tanzania

Abstract

Sociological research work was undertaken in Ellesmere County (New Zealand) and in Kibaha District (Tanzania). A total of seven groups involving 61 farmers were studied. The objective was to study the organisation and operation of farmers' discussion groups, and how these operated in an agricultural extension setting.

A literature review showed an increasing reliance by farm advisory officers on group methods, but lack of a systematic research on group interaction process. A combination of Bales' interaction categories analyses, a questionnaire, and personal interviews were therefore developed. The interaction analyses were used to identify differing contributions to discussion group meetings by farmers. Two indices were constructed: the contribution index and the information index. These indices were used to compare observational data with farmers' self reports.

The main findings were: * Groups were involved more in positive actions than negative actions. * Discussion groups in both countries were found to be problem-solving oriented. * Participation of advisors in group discussions were generally highly valued. * Farmers joined groups to learn new farming techniques and also for confidence-building. * The information given during discussion group meetings was thought to be significantly different from that given individually. * Farmers had more confidence in information given during group discussion than when the information was given individually. * About 80% and 82% of farmer respondents in New Zealand and Tanzania respectively thought group discussions helped them make decisions in their farming operations.

A number of suggestions for improving organisation and operation of discussion groups were proposed. It was concluded that although more research needs to be undertaken, farmers' discussion groups were useful to New Zealand and Tanzania for effective agricultural extension.