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Evaluating Agroforestry Extension Workers’ Technical and Human Relation Competencies: A Ranked Discrepancy Model Needs Assessment

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  • Brian Flanagan

    (Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
    Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • Amy Boren-Alpizar

    (Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA)

  • Gary Wingenbach

    (Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

  • David Lawver

    (Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA)

  • Robert Strong

    (Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA)

Abstract

Increasingly, agroforestry is being promoted to smallholders as a method to adapt to and mitigate climate change while addressing socio-economic limitations. Promoting agroforestry practices requires organizations to have competent staff with requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for their roles. This study examined perceived competency training needs among international workers promoting agroforestry. A Ranked Discrepancy Model (RDM) was used to determine and prioritize the KSA training needs of agroforestry professionals in selected countries in the Global South. This study was conducted with a nonrandom snowball sample of 107 professionals who promote agroforestry to smallholder farmers. As a nonrandom sample, the results represent those who participated, and caution is warranted in generalizing. Agroforestry Extension professionals deemed all items as either average or important, and training gaps existed in all agroforestry KSAs; however, the most notable training gaps were in (a) agribusiness, and (b) pests and disease. The research provides insights into the training needs of agroforestry personnel promoting agroforestry to smallholders in selected areas across the Global South. This study contributes to the theory for both professional development researchers and practitioners with the inclusion of a Ranked Discrepancy Model.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian Flanagan & Amy Boren-Alpizar & Gary Wingenbach & David Lawver & Robert Strong, 2023. "Evaluating Agroforestry Extension Workers’ Technical and Human Relation Competencies: A Ranked Discrepancy Model Needs Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:19:p:14100-:d:1246117
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rodel D. Lasco & Rafaela Jane P. Delfino & Marya Laya O. Espaldon, 2014. "Agroforestry systems: helping smallholders adapt to climate risks while mitigating climate change," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 5(6), pages 825-833, November.
    2. Hee-Jun Choi & Ji-Hye Park, 2022. "Exploring Deficiencies in the Professional Capabilities of Novice Practitioners to Reshape the Undergraduate Human Resource Development Curriculum in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-14, September.
    3. Amare, Dagninet & Darr, Dietrich, 2020. "Agroforestry adoption as a systems concept: A review," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    4. Paige Seitz & Robert Strong & Steve Hague & Theresa P. Murphrey, 2022. "Evaluating Agricultural Extension Agent’s Sustainable Cotton Land Production Competencies: Subject Matter Discrepancies Restricting Farmers’ Information Adoption," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-17, November.
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