Browsing by Author "Gray D"
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- ItemMeasuring farmers’ self-efficacy for managing perennial summer forages(Austraasia Pacific extension network, 10/10/2017) Drysdale D; Hartnett MK; Sewell A; Gray D; Kemp P; Wood BFarmers’ self-efficacy beliefs impact on their learning and decision-making processes, and as such provide vital information to agricultural extension providers. Self-efficacy is measured as an individual’s perception of what they ‘can do’, rather than what they ‘actually do’, providing an indication of their present efficacy to carry out a specific future task. This paper reports on the design, development and pilot study of a tool to provide quantitative measures of farmers’ self-efficacy when considering the introduction or management for perennial summer forages. Preliminary results indicate that this tool provides a robust means of measuring changes in self-efficacy beliefs within this specific domain of managing perennial summer forages. Understanding farmers’ efficacy beliefs may guide the design of more effective agricultural extension activities to better assist farmers in their learning and decision-making when adopting innovative agricultural practices.
- ItemThe impacts of the COVID-19 shock on sustainability and farmer livelihoods in Sri Lanka.(Elsevier B.V., 2022) Rathnayake S; Gray D; Reid J; Ramilan TThe COVID-19 pandemic and its handling in Sri Lanka has affected vegetable farmers in numerous ways and these impacts will constrain the country's move towards sustainable development. A field level study with vegetable farmers and key informants was carried out using exploratory research to understand, describe and analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of vegetable farmers and its relevance in achieving SDG 1. Data were supplemented by an extensive literature review. The analysis showed that the pandemic's impact on vegetable farmers in Sri Lanka is multidimensional and will increase vulnerability among vegetable farmers, for the long run. Adapting alternative inputs and marketing strategies, provision of immediate financial support, promoting innovative technology and service provision, and implementing intervention strategies tailored to farmer heterogeneity will improve farmer livelihoods and the prosperity of the sector.