The Impact of Farm Visits on Farmers’ Satisfaction with Extension: Examining the Dependence on Individual Methods in the Caribbean

Abstract

This research sought to investigate the dependence on farm visits in selected Caribbean islands, and estimate the impact of such visits on farmers’ satisfaction with extension. The study utilized a causal-comparative design using a convenience sample from six major farming countries in the Eastern Caribbean. Descriptive frequencies, ANOVA, principal factor analysis, and hierarchical OLS regression models were presented. It appears the low use of alternate approaches to disseminate information to eastern Caribbean farmers has led to a dependency on farm visits. This is unsustainable primarily because of its high cost, given the financial constraints of countries. Results indicated that while farmers were fairly satisfied with extension, there was a significant difference in satisfaction based on country of residence, and frequency of farm visits was a significant moderator of satisfaction. Countries’ GDP per capita were consistent with satisfaction levels. Proactive initiatives by extension that focus on alternative education approaches are needed; farmers can be clustered into commodity groups and extension can also make use of the good ICT infrastructure in these countries. Extension can influence farmers’ expectations if it capitalizes on other approaches such as ICTs and group visits. Effective use of alternative lower-cost approaches can result in greater ability to deliver each dimension of quality and match farmers’ expectations. Farm visits have become entrenched as the preferred extension method in the Caribbean. This first-time study, which looks at the issue from an extension and economic perspective, shows the urgent need to revisit the farm visit approach to extension.

Extension Officers’ Adoption of Modern Information Communication Technologies to Interact with Farmers of Trinidad

“…Furthermore, many Extension officers who were not using ICTs were willing to use multimedia messaging, SMS, email, voice calls, and social media to interact with farmers. Past studies indicated a reliance on top-down extension models in the Caribbean (Ganpat et al, 2017;Ganpat, Ragbir, & de Freitas, 2010;Renwick, 2010). Now, it appears Ministry Extension officers are generally willing to use several forms of modern ICTs, including SMS, to communicate with farmers.…”

“…However, with an Extension-to-farmer ratio of 1:600 and reliance on top-down extension methods and traditional information dissemination techniques, the Ministry Extension struggles to provide adequate services to Trinidadian farmers (Ganpat, Webster, & Narine, 2014;Ram, Ganpat, & Narine, 2017;Seepersad, 2003). The adoption of modern extension approaches is essential to addressing the needs of Trinidad's farmers (Ganpat, Narine, & Harder, 2017;Ganpat, Ragbir, & de Freitas, 2010;Renwick, 2010).…”

“…Farmers' needs are not met if Extension farm visits are infrequent which is a common occurrence in the Caribbean (Ganpat et al, 2017). Strong et al (2014) found many Ministry Extension officers used modern ICTs in their daily work routines for communicating with supervisors and enhancing their personal knowledge.…”

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“…The Ministry Extension uses a variety of communication methods to serve farmers including farm visits, farmer training programs, short agricultural courses, demonstration farms, exhibitions, information dissemination units, and agricultural administrative services (Ganpat, 2013;Parker, 2016). Ganpat et al (2017) found Trinidadian farmers were less dependent on the Ministry Extension compared to other small islands of the eastern Caribbean region. Public-assisted organizations, input suppliers, non-governmental organizations, and research institutions are also key players in the Extension system of Trinidad and Tobago (Dolly, 2009;Ganpat et al, 2017;Ramjattan, 2017;Seepersad & Ganpat, 2008).…”

“…Extension providers aim to meet the needs of small-scale farmers in an effective and efficient manner (World Bank, 2017). While the Extension Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (henceforth referred to as Ministry Extension) is the main provider of extension in Trinidad, farmers benefit from a pluralistic extension system (Ganpat, Narine, & Harder, 2017). The Ministry Extension uses a variety of communication methods to serve farmers including farm visits, farmer training programs, short agricultural courses, demonstration farms, exhibitions, information dissemination units, and agricultural administrative services (Ganpat, 2013;Parker, 2016).…”