Strengthening Agricultural Extension and Advisory Systems

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide
 information on how to transform and strengthen pluralistic
 agricultural extension and advisory systems in moving toward
 the broader goal of increasing farm income and improving
 rural livelihoods. The focus of this book is primarily on
 the technical knowledge, management skills, and information
 services that small-scale farm households will need to
 improve their livelihoods in the rapidly changing global
 economy. In addition, the book will also include information
 on how extension should help all types of farmers in dealing
 with escalating natural resource problems, including climate
 change. The primary focus of this paper will be a
 comparative analysis of different extension strategies,
 organizational models, institutional innovations, and
 resource constraints and how an extension system might be
 transformed and strengthened through specific policy and
 organizational changes as well as needed investments. This
 paper is organized into nine chapters. These chapters follow
 an institution building strategy used by many donors and
 governments as they seek to improve their extension system.
 The diagram in Figure one outlines these basic planning,
 implementation, and evaluation procedures that will be
 considered. The sections outlined below will provide a brief
 overview of the different chapters included in this paper.