Purpose: This study sought to explore how farmers' knowledge attributes influence the technical efficiency of their farms. In addition, farm efficiency was compared to the actual Macedonian Rural Development Programme (RDP) (2007-2013) and instruments considered to improve Macedonian education potential were evaluated. Design/methodology/approach:…

The keynote article in this issue summarizes some of the lessons learned after a decade of using satellites for public service, and after five years of experimentation with information technologies designed for specialized audiences. Community service programs in the Appalachian Mountain and Rocky Mountain regions and in the state of Alaska are…

Summarizes a study based on an examination of 30 highly rated nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in a dozen Latin American and Caribbean countries. Explains the terms "grassroots support organizations" (GSOs) and "membership support organizations" (MSOs). Suggests operation strategies for these organizations, particularly…

Vocational and technical training programs for less developed countries offer little in the way of training the intermediate cadres, technicians, and village level workers necessary for modernizing the primary sector on which developing economies depend. Training is vital because it secures cost reduction and maximum use of organization, enables…

Discussion of the use of video in rural development projects highlights animation at the village level, training, and monitoring and evaluation of project management as examples of successful video integration. A pilot project to test the use of video as an integrated support to management is then described. (26 references) (LRW)

Since the start of the second Five Year Plan (1969-74) in Tanzania, the national focus has been on developing and extending adult education (largely literacy) in general, and rural programs in particular. Systematic program evaluation is needed so that scarce human and financial resources can be used effectively without needless duplication of…

Describes the findings of a Florida State University evaluation of Colombia's Accion Cultural Popular (ACPO) program for nonformal adult education. ACPO promotes rural development and literacy through educational radio broadcasts which are linked to local monitors, textbooks, a weekly newspaper, and other support services. (AM)

There is a wide range of communication needs in rural development programs, including the need to develop comprehensive communication strategies for program fulfillment. Such strategies call for communication specialists whose expertise transcends the "information" role and includes the whole process of development. This process must not neglect…

Describes the video program of Zimbabwe's Department of Agricultural, Technical, and Extension Services (Agritex), which produces and distributes training aids for extension staff, farmers, and ministries involved in rural development. Main problems with use of video in Agritex are discussed, and recommendations are offered for improving the video…

The articles in this issue are mainly concerned with how to reach the poorest and most disadvantaged sections of the population and how best to help once contact has been made. "Nijera Kori in Retrospect: In Search of an Organization of the Rural Poor" (Mohiuddin Ahmad) provides extracts from an evaluation of this grassroots,…

A random sample of 150 farmers (75 participants and 75 non-participants in radio forums) from Lahore and Gujrat districts in West Pakistan were surveyed via personal interview in 1971 to determine whether there was a relationship between: certain socioeconomic variables and farmer forum participation; radio forums and agricultural change,…

A naturalistic approach to evaluation is illustrated through the description of the evaluation of a small-scale agricultural project in a village in Mali, West Africa. The evaluation considered program impact as well as the quality of the conclusions drawn using the illuminative model of evaluation. (SLD)

Non-Formal Education (NFE) is traditionally defined as any organizational activity outside the established formal education system. In India two major types of NFE exist. The first type is literacy courses, available for students of any age; these are taught in the evenings. The second type is vocational training, which often takes place during…

The purpose of this paper is to trace the rise and fall of community development and to draw lessons for developing countries and donors interested in helping the rural poor. Community development is defined as a process, method, program, institution, and/or movement involving communities in the solution of problems, teaching democratic processes,…

A meeting was held April 3, 1974, by the African-American Institute (AAI) to discuss the need for rural change and the strategies for achieving change in Africa. Participants in the meeting included two Africans who have leading roles in the economic development of their countries, representatives from 12 governmental and private agencies that are…