Spatial Distribution Analysis of Community Radio Stations For Promoting Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Agriculture Under COVID-19 Scenario, Southern Province, Zambia

Community Radio Stations (CRS) play an important role in information dissemination at local and context specific levels. This study analyzes the spatial distribution of the CRS and their role in promoting sustainable in agriculture in times of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The study's methodological approach included geospatial mapping of CRS in Arc GIS 10.3, surveys and interviews with key informants (n=39). In addition, the data was analyzed using SPSS 28.0 for frequency and descriptive analysis and excel for graphical outputs. The study finds 19 CRS in 13 districts and their radii completely cover the Southern Province of Zambia. Out of the time allocated to agricultural programs, an average of 47% is on climate change adaptation measures in local languages. However, the CRS have limited access to experts to provide information and programs sponsorship. This study has established that CRS have potential in disseminating climate change adaptation measures. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of the CRS noticed an increase in demand for agricultural programs during the COVID-19 era, with the rapid growth of CRS. The study recommends stakeholders collaboration to provide appropriate information to enhance the climate agricultural programmes on CRS and address challenges of limited access to experts and associated costs.

The optimization of agricultural machinery utilization in enhancing the implementation of modern agricultural programs

The provision of agricultural machinery in the Modern Agriculture Program is to overcome labor shortages. However, the utilization of agricultural machinery aid is underutilized. This study aims to analyze the optimization of the use of agricultural machinery in enhancing the implementation of modern agricultural programs. West Sumatera, Central Java, Banten, Bali, and South Sulawesi were purposively chosen as the study areas. The study was conducted in 2017. Respondents of this research were policymakers from central to local institutions, key informants, extension agents, agricultural machinery service providers (UPJA), and farmers. The method used was descriptive explanatory and financial analysis. The results showed that the utilization of agricultural machinery in the Modern Agricultural Program was still not optimal. It was still underutilized. There were several obstacles, both from economic and social aspects. The utilization of 4-wheel tractors and rice transplanters has not been economically managed. As a result, they cannot generate funds for equipment maintenance and the development and UPJA’s sustainability. Not all types of agricultural machinery are socially suitable for farmers’ needs. There is a competition between agricultural machinery uses and workers. Moreover, not all local governments fully supports agricultural machinery uses. To optimize and succeed on the modern agriculture program implementation, agricultural extension workers with certification as UPJA Facilitators are required.

Evaluation of Self-Reported Agricultural Tasks, Safety Concerns, and Health and Safety Behaviors of Young Adults in U.S. Collegiate Agricultural Programs

Young adults enrolled in collegiate agricultural programs are a critical audience for agricultural health and safety training. Understanding the farm tasks that young adults engage in is necessary for tailoring health and safety education. The project analyzed evaluation survey responses from the Gear Up for Ag Health and Safety™ program, including reported agricultural tasks, safety concerns, frequency of discussing health and safety concerns with healthcare providers, safety behaviors, and future career plans. The most common tasks reported included operation of machinery and grain-handling. Most participants intended to work on a family-owned agricultural operation or for an agribusiness/cooperative following graduation. Reported safety behaviors (hearing protection, eye protection, and sunscreen use when performing outdoor tasks) differed by gender and education type. Male community college and university participants reported higher rates of “near-misses” and crashes when operating equipment on the roadway. One-third of participants reported discussing agricultural health and safety issues with their medical provider, while 72% were concerned about the health and safety of their family and co-workers in agriculture. These findings provide guidance for better development of agricultural health and safety programs addressing this population—future trainings should be uniquely tailored, accounting for gender and educational differences.

KINERJA PENYULUH PERTANIAN DALAM MASA PANDEMI COVID-19 DI KELURAHAN TARATARA SATU KECAMATAN TOMOHON BARAT KOTA TOMOHON

This research aims to figure out about the agricultural extension worker’s performance of their main tasks at Sub-district Taratara Satu, Tomohon City. The types of data used in this study are primary and secondary data obtained through direct interviews with farmers and through questionnaires. The sampling method that’s being used in this study is Purposive Sampling Method; where the researcher chooses the respondents themselves from the farmers. This research used descriptive analysis that namely explaining the data obtained by using words that are assisted by data tables. This research shows that the performance of agricultural extension workers; which can be measured from the main task of extension workers where the results tend to be good because agricultural extension activities are only focused on agricultural core activities. Such as agricultural programs, technical meetings, demonstrations, and courses for the farmers.

DOES TELEVISION PROMOTE DEAGRARIANIZATION? Understanding Rural-Youth Perception Towards the Agricultural-livelihood information on Television

The phenomenon of the high number of rural-youth migration from rural areas need to be studied from the perspective on how the agricultural livelihood is constructed by actors within the village. This research tries to focus on how rural-youth interpret messages on television about agricultural livelihood. Previous studies have explained that there are several things that can cause youth in the village to migrate out of the village. This study aims to (1) identify the characteristics of youth in Ciasmara Village, Pamijahan District, Bogor Regency, (2) Rural-youth Exposure in watching television. (3) Perceptions of rural youth on agricultural information representations on television. This research was conducted in Ciasmara village, Pamijahan District, Bogor Regency from March 2020 to August 2020 using quantitative research methods with a descriptive-comparative approach. 120 youth were selected as research samples. This research found that some of rural-youth in Ciasmara village admitted to having watched agricultural programs on television either on the news or in other programs in the last six months. The types of agricultural information that rural-youth in Ciasmara village have watched are mostly related to cultivation, harvest failure, pest attacks, and low agricultural prices.