ASM 6324: Extension and Socio-economic impact assessment

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. Basic social and economic theories related to decision-making in farming
2. Effects of land and water management interventions, including both the physical effects (related to soil, water and nutrients) and the socio-economic effects
3. Basic extension tasks/functions, role of extension workers and apply this knowledge in the delivery of effective extension services
4. Adult learner characteristics, thinking styles and the qualities of a facilitator for Self-Directed Learning (SDL)
5. Concept of marketing, marketing environment, stages in the adoption and diffusion of new product/innovation, organizational buyer behaviour, marketing strategy planning, price strategies, promotion and distribution
6. Concepts of markets, prices, demand and supply, market equilibrium, competitive and non-competitive markets, causes of market failures Concepts of transaction costs, institutional environment, levels of institutions and institutional arrangements

 Cognitive/Intellectual skills/Application of Knowledge

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

1. Apply impact assessment techniques, socio-economic analysis and evaluation methodologies for the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of land and water management interventions;
2. Apply the methods of extension in Agroforestry

 Communication/ICT/Numeracy/Analytic Techniques/Practical Skills

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

1. Calculate costs and estimate benefits of land and water management interventions for the various actors.
2. Compute different variants of fixed and variable costs, derive cost functions and estimate levels of inputs and outputs which maximize profit or minimize production costs

 General transferable   skills

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to:

1. Understand, explain and argue why farmers do or do not undertake land and water interventions by themselves and what the role could be of local groups and government in stimulating these interventions;
2. Select and apply educational methods, materials and aids which appeal to the preferences, special needs and different learning styles of the target audience

1. Indicative Content

Lectures:

Agroforestry Extension Component: Introduction; history and philosophy of agricultural extension; impact of agroforestry on people; stakeholders involved in land and water management, drivers and pioneers of Agroforestry; extension Educational Methods.

Socio-economic survey methodologies, impact assessment Component: Socio-economic aspects of land degradation in land and water management; On-site and downstream impact assessment of land and water management (interventions); monitoring and economic evaluation of land and water management interventions, and in particular Cost-Benefit analysis; Strategies and policies for land and water management.

Students are encouraged to attend lectures and field classes if the situations permit. Course notes for lectures are made available through UR e-learning platform https://elearning.ur.ac.rw  Students are encouraged to participate in class by asking questions or providing appropriate comments from their own experiences that will add to the learning experience of all students. Students are expected to complete assignments on due time. Lectures are presented with the assistance of PPT slides. If time allows informal small groups will be used to discuss issues raised in class. The questions and comments from the students are highly encouraged.