The adult-centered teaching strategies for the livestock System resilience with a variety of extension agent workloads’ demands: a case study of Thies and Diourbel Regions, Senegal

Abstract

Senegalese extension services play a crucial role in Senegalese agriculture which is still characterized as family and peasant-based. Extension agents  provide technical support and information to breeders. Today, an adaptation to the use of natural resources is necessary because of the degradation of  the agro-pastoral ecosystem, hence the need for innovative training and awarenessraising strategies. Therefore, the purpose was the enhancement of  the teaching approaches implemented to local breeders in the context of climate change in the Diourbel and Thies regions. The researcher collected  qualitative data, including document analysis and in-depth interviews with 12 extension agents. Findings included insight into the training experiences of  extension agents in the context of climate change. Besides, the results showed that the program planning is effective and helped to design practical  teaching content. In addition, the adult-centered teaching approach is a new concept for the participants. However, the findings demonstrated the need  to improve knowledge in teaching and learning innovations for extension agents in natural resource conservations. In sum, they need program planning  and continuing professional development programs to be efficient in diffusing the concept to change the mindset and behaviors of breeders.