Assessing the Educational and Financial Needs of Small-Scale Dairy Farmers in Socopo, Venezuela. Summary of Research 64.

The process of transferring agricultural technology in many countries was studied to determine the perceived educational and financial needs of small-scale dairy farmers in Socopo, Venezuela. The following data were collected: (1) demographic characteristics--age, educational level, farm size, number of lactating cows, dairy farming experience, and family income; (2) perceived educational and financial needs; (3) sources of obtaining technical information and frequency of use; (4) teaching techniques; and (5) relationships between the demographic characteristics and perceived educational and financial needs. Data for the descriptive correlational study were collected through personal interviews (N=137). Descriptive statistics were used to accomplish study objectives. Study findings included the following: (1) there is a discrepancy in terms of educational needs in dairy farm management activities; (2) educational programs for farmers should be based on identified needs, not farmer characteristics; (3) farmers need the most financial help in forages and livestock areas; (4) farmers preferred veterinarians, county extension agents, and neighbors as information sources; and (5) farmers preferred interpersonal teaching techniques over mass media techniques. (NLA)