Evaluating Farmers' Perceptions Towards Extension Service Delivery During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ga-Mothapo Village, Polokwane Municipality of Limpopo Province, South Africa
Résumé
The study evaluated small-scale farmers' perceptions of extension service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, from hard lockdown level 5 to level 3, to inform policymakers on current extension service delivery and its challenges in Ga-Mothapo village. Agricultural extension is important for enhancing agricultural productivity and food security, and is generally provided through face-to-face contact. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on people's movement were put in place to control the virus. This challenged farmers and extension officers to perform their work correctly. The study was conducted in Ga-Mothapo Village, Polokwane Local Municipality, Limpopo Province. The study used a quantitative research methodology and applied Cochran's formula to determine the sample size, which yielded 73 farmers, from whom data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) IBM software version 29 (2022). The key findings revealed that small-scale farmers did not have direct, individual communication with extension officers. Furthermore, extension officers ceased disseminating information and knowledge, rendering extension services largely inaccessible. Despite the challenges, farmers have experience with information and communication technology (ICT) channels, and marketing programmes should be established to better support farmers in future pandemics. The study recommends that the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development provide farmers with ICT tools such as cellular phones and vouchers.
Citer ce document
Accès au document
Texte intégral en lecture en ligne, réservé aux abonnés SPHAERO et aux membres de l'institution. Se connecter
Voir l'article sur le site de la revueAuteur(s)
Statistiques
Consultations : 1
Téléchargements : 0