A communication analysis of the Philippine Carabao Center

Date

3-1995

Abstract

The study aimed to: describe the communication profile of the respondents; find out attitudes of researchers and technicians toward information dissemination; ascertain the researchers' communication network; determine the communication channels/media that could be tapped toward technology information dissemination and utilization; determine perception of the researchers and technicians toward farmer beneficiaries; assess the perception of the users, researchers and extension agents toward attributes of the technology: identify problems encountered in the dissemination and utilization of the technology; and recommend policies to improve dissemination and use of the technology.

A total of 293 respondents comprised this study: 235 farmers, 38 researchers, and 20 technicians. Multi-stage sampling was employed to get the respondents of this study. Data were gathered using an interview schedule for every type of respondent. A review of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) records, documents, and reports was also performed. Analyses were done using frequency counts, percentages, means, and one-way ANOVA. The researchers' communication network was analyzed using the oblique-level analysis.

Findings showed that on the average, FRs were 47 years old, had finished elementary grades, had four dependents, were full-time farmers, and had an average annual income of P40,000. Moreover, they were lease holders, had 1.55 hectares of farm land, had been farming for 21 years, were still using carabaos to cultivate their farm, owned more female carabaos than males, and did not belong to any farmer organization.

Very few knew of AI technicians, majority did not consult researchers or technicians, and di not have enough information on AI. But they claimed to have first known about AI directly from both PCC personnel and LGU technicians very recently and heard that native carabaos could be upgraded through AI. They were able to get free AI services but they had very limited attendance in seminars. They ranked technicians as the number one source of farm information; radio, second; neighbors/friends, third; and fellow farmers, fourth.

Technician respondents favorably regarded their role of disseminating research results to farmers; they found extension work rewarding; they enjoyed visiting farmers; they found extension work rewarding; they enjoyed visiting farmers; they related well with superiors in the office. Researchers also showed a positive attitude on information dissemination. They opined that sharing their research results with end users was part of their job; found extension work rewarding; enjoying writing for technical publication; and welcomed opportunities to share research results through popular publications.

Researchers' consultative networks had low connectedness. Their social network and integrative network were well connected in two centers only.

Interpersonal sources, print media, and radio/TV were most preferred by all sets of respondents.

Researchers and technicians perceived the farmers as a mixture of those receptive-communicative-educated and those unreceptive-uncommunicative-educated.

Farmers, technicians and researchers alike favorably perceived AIT attributes and believed that farmers would learn as much from researcher, trained extension worker or trained farmer leader.

Problems expressed were: infrequent visit of AI technician/researcher, limited available information on AIT, low conception rate of carabaos, lack of reading materials, the need to organize farmers, no carabao dispersal program, difficulties in the scheduling of AI service/activities, lack of technical assistance, lack of training on AIT by LGU technicians, the need for advanced training of researchers and the provision of adequate supplies of materials needed in AI activities.

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Development Communication

College

Graduate School (GS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Teresa H. Stuart

Committee Member

Alexander G. Flor, Madeline M. Suva, Delfina M. Torreta

Language

English

LC Subject

Philippine Carabao Center, Communication in community development

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 996 1995 D46 A75

Notes

Doctor of Philosophy (Development Communication)

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