| Systems approach to agriculture. Introduction to Systems Thinking in Agriculture, Definition of systems thinking, Importance of systems thinking in agriculture. Overview of systems theory and concepts. Components of Agricultural Systems, Identifying and analyzing components of agricultural systems, Relationships and feedback mechanisms in agricultural systems. System Dynamics in Agriculture: Understanding system behavior and dynamics, Causal loop diagrams and stock and flow diagrams. Introduction to Systems Analysis in Agriculture. Case studies and examples of systems thinking in agriculture. Introduction to Agricultural Extension, Objectives and principles of agricultural extension. Communication in Agricultural Extension: Effective communication Strategies for overcoming communication barriers. Extension Methods: Individual Extension, Group Extension, Extension for a larger public, Mass media in extension. Communication Tools and Technologies: Radio and television, Mobile phones and SMS, Internet and social media, Print materials. Extension Program Planning and Management. Rapid and Participatory Rural Appraisal (RRA and PRA) techniques. The New Extensionist approach (GFRAS resources); Farmer Field Schools and Farmer Field Business School (FAO resources); Farmer-based learning (Access Agriculture, FAO Family Farming). |
Administrative assistant: Kajol Jogarah
Telephone: 4037400
Email: k.jogarah@uom.ac.mu |
