Kassem, M. (2022). Utilizing communities of practice to support Agricultural Extension intervention. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 100(4), 661-674. doi: 10.21608/ejar.2022.155013.1262
Mohamed H.M. Kassem. "Utilizing communities of practice to support Agricultural Extension intervention". Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 100, 4, 2022, 661-674. doi: 10.21608/ejar.2022.155013.1262
Kassem, M. (2022). 'Utilizing communities of practice to support Agricultural Extension intervention', Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 100(4), pp. 661-674. doi: 10.21608/ejar.2022.155013.1262
Kassem, M. Utilizing communities of practice to support Agricultural Extension intervention. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 2022; 100(4): 661-674. doi: 10.21608/ejar.2022.155013.1262
Utilizing communities of practice to support Agricultural Extension intervention
Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Are there communities of practice (CoPs) in the agricultural domain? Is it limited to farmers? Or does it include traders, brokers, input dealers, wholesale traders, researchers … or other professionals? Can dealing with CoPs solve the problem of weak access to extension services? Can extension make an initiation to depend on CoPs to develop learning and competencies related to agriculture or support knowledge gain and cooperation in the agricultural value chain? The concept of CoPs is not a simple one. Many studies emphasize the need for a deeper focus on this concept to explore, utilize and adapt its potentials. The importance of communities of practice stems from the values it creates when utilized in social learning processes like information sharing, exchanging advice, learning from other fellows' experiences, and helping each other to face challenging situations and generate new knowledge. This article shed some light on the concept of CoPs, its knowledge needs, communication patterns, and methods’ requirements, with a brief reference to its formation that would facilitate utilizing it for sharing good agricultural practices in marketing, organizational or social fields.