Padraig Wims | University College Dublin (original) (raw)

Papers by Padraig Wims

Local Development & Society

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the communication approaches used by development actors t... more The purpose of this paper is to analyze the communication approaches used by development actors to communicate with farmers in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia. Communication is essential for local and agricultural development, and the appropriate use of communication approaches promotes development. Two types of data were used: the providers of extension services (state extension, research institutions, and nongovernment organizations) and the clients of extension services (a sample of 364 farm households and three focus group discussions with progressive farmers). The results found the state extension communicated with farmers using top-down approaches. The communication approaches used by state agricultural extension services were not in line with government policy. Agricultural technologies generated by research institutions were diffused to farmers in a one-way approach. However, non-government organizations used more integrated situation-based two-way communication approaches. The use of communication approach that promotes farmers’ participation was recommended as a way to improve extension service delivery.

Journal of Applied Communications

The purpose of this paper is to compare the reporting of vital agricultural news between the main... more The purpose of this paper is to compare the reporting of vital agricultural news between the mainstream print media and the farming press in Ireland. To achieve this, this study examined coverage of a recent and significant agricultural news event by mainstream Irish newspapers and the Irish farming press. Taking the 2018-2019 Irish beef sector crisis as the case study for examination, researchers conducted a comparative content analysis of the most widely circulated mainstream national newspapers' (n = 5) and farming newspapers' (n = 2) coverage of the story over a 14-month period. We analyzed the timing, frequency, and placing of some 294 articles published to communicate issues regarding the beef crisis at three specific stages-before the national farmer protests, during the farmer protests, and after the farmer protests. We found mainstream newspapers to be significantly slower to start reporting on the Irish beef sector crisis of 2018-2019 compared to the country's farming newspapers-although national print media coverage of the event increased as the crisis escalated. This early underreporting of the event by mainstream newspapers is compelling considering the importance of the agri-food sector, and beef farming in particular, to Ireland's economy. Building on existing international, but very limited Irish, research on agricultural journalism, we concluded that farming newspapers are more in touch with the critical issues affecting Irish farmers while mainstream newspapers appeared slower to cover a vital agricultural issue of public importance.

Local Development & Society

The purpose of this paper is to identify farm households' preferences towards agricultural inform... more The purpose of this paper is to identify farm households' preferences towards agricultural information sources and their usage in the Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A proportionate sample of 364 farm households was selected using a systematic random sampling technique. A pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect primary data during June and July of 2020. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis (t-test and chi-square test) were used to analyse the data and test the level of association between the dependent and independent variables. Three focus group discussions were held with progressive farmers and the data were thematically analysed. The results revealed that co-farmers, extension agents, and family members were the most preferred sources by respondents. This shows interpersonal and peer-to-peer methods are dominantly used by farmers in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. To boost agricultural productivity and target communication campaigns, the government should devise a proper way of disseminating information to the farmers. Information should be available through the sources that have been used by the farmers considering how the messages are best suited to their context. Moreover, some potential sources such as research and academic institutions and mobile phones should be accessible to transform the current practices of farming.

International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology in Extension and Education Systems, 2015

he management of agricultural education faces on-going challenges to deliver current and effectiv... more he management of agricultural education faces on-going challenges to deliver current and effective materials in an approach that takes advantage of developments in education technology. In this article the use of blended learning was compared with the traditional approach for the instruction of theoretical materials in agricultural education. This study used a pre-test, post-test experimental design with agricultural college students. All students were taught using either a traditional or blended methodology. They were subsequently assessed to determine their level of knowledge. Two key findings from this study were highlighted: Firstly, regardless of their age profile all learners achieved significantly better exam results following blended teaching for theoretical material. Secondly, academically weaker students performed significantly better following the blended method of delivery. Key implications arising from this research indicate that the use of the blended method of deliver...

A study of Irish Agribusiness companies was conducted in 2002 to determine the extent of and to a... more A study of Irish Agribusiness companies was conducted in 2002 to determine the extent of and to assess the likely future developments for e-business. Fifty five percent had a website. Large multiposition businesses were the most likely to have developed a website (66%) while 54% had one. Respondents indicated that their main reasons for developing a website were to improve their promotion strategy (78%) and for external communications (69%) with customers. The use of e business on the supply side was beneficial to 20% of respondents but was seen as having future prospects. Customers not yet ready for e-business was the main obstacle in the way of continued ebusiness growth as reported by 71% of respondents while the costs of developing a website and the lack of technological skills in many businesses were also identified as inhibiting factors (69% each). Eighty five percent of businesses which did not have a website intended to develop one in the future while 72% of respondents agre...

The incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into the educational curric... more The incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into the educational curriculum has been promoted as a key step in bridging the digital divide. Despite considerable growth in the numbers of computers acquired by schools in Kenya in recent years and the sacrifices made to finance these, there has been little evaluation of their effectiveness. Consequently, this research seeks to redress this by examining the impact of ICT projects in educational institutions in Kenya. Teaching staff, current students and former students together with parents of current students were surveyed. Key informants were also interviewed to establish the current policies concerning ICT in education in Kenya. An absence of educational software was found, as was the lack of Internet access and use of e-mail. Some 35-40% of secondary school teachers had never used a computer. The research revealed tangible benefits to students from exposure to ICT. It was also found that exposure to compute...

he aim of this paper was to report an action research that examined the potential of social media... more he aim of this paper was to report an action research that examined the potential of social media as a tool for knowledge transfer in agricultural extension. The research focused on developing group Facebook pages that were designed for adult farmers. A total of 49 participants who were already members of four separate discussion groups were instructed on the practical aspects of using Facebook. Their participation in the Facebook pages was monitored for the duration of the experiment (from February 2013 to January 2014) by examining the frequency with which they logged into their accounts and the nature of their contributions. The participants’ level of uptake of social media was measured and their experience with using social media was evaluated by administering a questionnaire to all 49 participants. The majority of the participants had a positive experience when using social media for knowledge transfer purposes. The research found no association between age and social media usa...

This chapter analyses the social media site Facebook as a communication tool in rural community d... more This chapter analyses the social media site Facebook as a communication tool in rural community development. The analysis was focused on the Facebook page of one rural community in Ireland. The research was conducted using a mixed method approach, using Facebook insights, key informant interviews, and questionnaires. The evolution of the Facebook page was documented. The study presents the attitudes towards the Facebook page of users and non-Facebook users. The findings indicate that friends of the community Facebook page believe it plays a vital role in their community forging debate, discussion and higher levels of participation. The non-Facebook users have made the conscious decision not to engage with Facebook, but nonetheless are aware of Facebook and on occasion, kept informed indirectly from sources close to them. Overall the research presented in this chapter illustrates that Facebook can be an effective communication tool in community development even in rural areas.

Global Innovations and Future Prospects, 2013

This chapter critiques the level of adoption of ICTs among the farming community in Ireland and c... more This chapter critiques the level of adoption of ICTs among the farming community in Ireland and compares this with adoption by the general population. It was found that although computer access and internet use among Irish households have been increasing rapidly in recent years, farm households have been lagging behind in adoption of these technologies. Broadband access has been particularly problematic in rural areas, where farm households are located. The development of a novel extranet service by a large agribusiness is also evaluated in this chapter; this service allows dairy farmer clients to access all information relevant to their accounts with this agribusiness through a secure website. A structured survey of clients was carried out, and respondents were stratified on the basis of their usage of this extranet service. It was found that three factors are constraining adoption and use of ICTs among Irish farmers: low levels of computer skills; lack of awareness of the potential of ICTs to contribute to the farm business; and thirdly, access to Broadband in rural areas. These are fundamental problems that constrain adoption of ICT.

This paper critiques the level of adoption of ICTs among the farming community in Ireland and com... more This paper critiques the level of adoption of ICTs among the farming community in Ireland and compares this with adoption by the general population. It was found that although computer access and internet use among Irish households have been increasing rapidly in recent years, farm households have been lagging behind in adoption of these technologies. Broadband access has been particularly problematic in rural areas, where farm households are located. The development of a novel extranet service by a large agribusiness is evaluated in this paper; this service allows dairy farmer clients to access all information relevant to their accounts with this agribusiness through a secure website. A structured survey of clients was carried out and respondents were stratified on the basis of their usage of this extranet service. It was found that three factors are constraining adoption and use of ICTs among Irish farmers: low levels of computer skills; lack of awareness of the potential of ICTs ...

Journal of Extension Systems

This research investigated the potential for extension organisations to use information and commu... more This research investigated the potential for extension organisations to use information and communications technologies (ICTs) in the provision of advice to farmers. Aquestionnaire was administered to 286 extension clients (farmers) in Ireland. It was found that 94% of respondents used computers, all used mobile phones and one third of these had Smartphones. Despite having access to ICTs, the majority did not use these to their potential. In relation to maintaining extension contact, farmers still prefer to use the traditional interpersonal communication methods when looking for specific and detailed advice on farming issues but they are content to use ICTs for more routine contact with extension.

Journal of Extension Systems

The incorporation of the tablet-PC into the agricultural education system is explored in this pap... more The incorporation of the tablet-PC into the agricultural education system is explored in this paper. Factors that influence students' acceptance of the tablet-PC have been identified and the use of the tablet-PC in facilitating delivery of formal agricultural education has been investigated. Data were obtained through the use of focus group discussions and key observations during a twenty week pilot study. Focus group discussions highlighted students' positive attitude toward the use of the tablet-PC but emphasised their reservations surrounding teachers' ability to operate the tablet-PC smoothly in the classrooms. It was concluded that major barriers to the successful uptake of technology, such as poor Wi-Fi access and inexperience of teachers to deal with technical issues, would need to be addressed in order to successfully integrate the tablet-PC into agricultural education.

International Journal of Education and Development Using Information and Communication Technology, Mar 1, 2007

This paper examines the current agricultural policy environment within which Irish and European f... more This paper examines the current agricultural policy environment within which Irish and European farmers must now operate; it concludes that conventional agricultural training programmes that tend to focus on commodity production are no longer sufficient to enable farmers to survive, mainly because they do not prepare farmers for a constantly changing environment. A new enterprise culture is required if farmers are to generate a viable income from their farms. This does not happen by chance; it must be planned and requires adult farmers to participate in lifelong learning and continuing education programmes that equip them with the knowledge and skills that they need to strategically assess their career options. This paper reviews one novel programme which sought to achieve this in Ireland and its impact is discussed. Lessons learned for the planning and delivery of appropriate agricultural training programmes in the future are presented.

The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 2015

Local Development & Society

Journal of Applied Communications

Local Development & Society

International Journal of Agricultural Science, Research and Technology in Extension and Education Systems, 2015

Global Innovations and Future Prospects, 2013

Journal of Extension Systems

International Journal of Education and Development Using Information and Communication Technology, Mar 1, 2007

The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 2015