Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Rome, (2020)
Prepared by Magdalena Blum, Francesca Cofini and Rasheed Sulaiman V
The purposes of the modules are to review the major reforms being considered internationally – reforms that aim to change the policy and institutional structure and operations of public sector agricultural extension systems, and thus enhance a transition to better coordinated pluralistic, demand-led advisory systems. The advantages and disadvantages of each aspect of these reforms are examined and illustrated by the selected case studies. The modules provide a foundation for extension reform affecting the entire set-up and mode of operation of agricultural extension. This review of reforms is intended to provide insights for senior-level officials and others interested in the development of agricultural advisory systems. The modules review trends, concepts and experiences, and, as such, are not intended to be prescriptive, or to adhere necessarily to any one point of view, but instead to provide a basis for informed decision-making by government policy-makers and senior management of extension and advisory services, as well as agricultural advisors.