EDUCATION RESEARCH
Isabel Carter
July 1999
Serial No. 31
ISBN: 1 86192 079 2
Department For International Development
Other DFID Education Studies also Available
List of Other DFID Education Papers Available in this Series
Department for International Development Education Papers
1.1 Background
1.2 Results
1.3 Conclusions
1.4 Recommendations
2.1 Origin of research
2.2 Focus of research
2.3 Key definitions
3. Theoretical issues concerning information flow among grassroots farmers
3.1 Policies influencing the provision of information services for farmers
3.2 Farmer access to information provision
3.3 Farmer-to-farmer sharing of information
3.4 Definition of locally generated materials
3.5 Summary: Knowledge is power
4.1 Research questions
4.2 Factors influencing the choice of methodologies used
4.3 Phase I: Postal survey
4.4 Phase II: In-depth research with farmer groups
4.5 Research techniques for in-depth research
4.6 Phase III: Regional overview of organisations sharing agricultural information
4.7 Data analysis
5. Phase I: The findings of the postal survey
5.1 Analysis of survey respondents
5.2 Formation and aims of groups
5.3 Socio-economic status of target communities
5.4 Sharing of Information
5.5 Access to sources of information
6. Phase II: Information provision within farmer associations in Uganda and Ghana
6.1 Background to socio-economic situation in Uganda
6.2 Background to socio-economic situation in Ghana
6.3 Background information relating to farmer groups
6.4 Factors influencing the functioning of farmer groups
6.5 Access to communication media
6.6 Composition of group membership
6.7 Access to agricultural information
6.8 Flow of information
6.9 Summary of information provision
7. The provision of printed agricultural information materials
7.1 Phase I: Production of printed information by postal survey respondents
7.2 Findings of Phase III: Regional overview of organisations sharing agricultural information in Uganda and Ghana
7.3 Phase II: Impact of printed information within RPAs
8.1 Potential of Rural People's Associations
8.2 Role of animators
8.3 Indicators of empowerment with regard to information access among farmer groups
8.4 Factors influencing information flow and empowerment
8.5 Potential for locally generated agricultural materials and their role in empowerment
9. Implications of the research
9.1 Awareness raising within donor agencies
9.2 Value of newsletters as source materials for producer groups
9.3 Value of Internet access for producer groups
9.4 Increase awareness among producer groups
9.5 Support of creative individuals
9.6 Coordination of regional committees
9.7 Training workshops
9.8 Effective distribution of locally generated materials
9.9 Sustainability
9.10 Post-literacy materials
9.11 Potential of farmer groups
Appendix A - Sample pages of Footsteps
Appendix B - Samples of materials in local languages adapted from Footsteps
Appendix C - Distribution of postal survey respondents
Appendix D - Languages used for sharing information by postal survey respondents
Appendix E - Exercises examining design preferences among members of farmer groups
Appendix F - Sample pages used in design and layout exercises
Appendix G - Map of Uganda, showing districts and areas visited
Appendix H - Map of Ghana, showing regions and areas visited
Appendix I - RPAs and GDOs visited in Uganda and Ghana
Appendix J - List of organisations contacted that share agricultural information in Uganda
Appendix K - List of organisations contacted that share agricultural information in Ghana
Appendix L - Samples of newsletters and locally generated materials