The state of agricultural extension services in Ethiopia and their contribution to agricultural productivity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Productivity ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
The State ◽  
Extension Services

scholarly journals PROBLEMS OF FINANCING OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION ACTIVITIES IN UKRAINE

2021 ◽  
pp. 68-85
Author(s):  
Nataliia POKHYLENKO ◽  
Roman KORINETS
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
The State ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
State Financing ◽  
State Programs

The article analyzes the current state of financial support for socially oriented extension services in Ukraine in order to identify the obstacles to stability and regularity of its implementation. It has been established on the basis of statistical data, that the financing of such activities from the state budget has a downward trend. Its volumes are tens of thousands of times less than similar budgetary expenditures in post-socialist countries that are currently EU members. The results of a survey of representatives of consulting services showed that the reason for the low activity of the registered agricultural extension services in the implementation of state programs to support agricultural producers and, accordingly, the incomplete development of the allocated funds are the scarcity, unpredictability and instability of state support for agricultural extension activities, the weakness of the coherence between themselves of the state programs, aimed at the development of the agricultural sector of economy. There is also a lack of understanding of the importance of agricultural extension by local government representatives. It is proved that conservatism in the introduction of innovations by owners of small farms, low level of awareness of agricultural extension, significant distance of advisory centers from potential customers, low income of the rural population minimize their ability to pay for commercial advisory services. It is established that financial and organizational difficulties have a significant negative impact on the psychological aspects of counseling. Advisors declare a lack of faith in their own strength. The results of the study allow us to assert that the formation of stable, simple and clear rules for long term state financing of agricultural extension activities and the absolute abidance of such rules by state institutions will help to increase the sustainability of financial support for agricultural extension activities in Ukraine.

scholarly journals Towards a Professionalism of Agricultural Extension: Key to Promoting Extension Effectiveness in Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Robert Agunga ◽  
Ruth Sleshi ◽  
Rahwa Hassen
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Slow Process ◽  
Collaborative Relationship ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Communication For Development ◽  
Significant Extension ◽  
Local Farmers

A survey of a small sample of 123 extension workers in Ghana and Ethiopia may have revealed the key issue facing extension ineffectiveness in Africa—the paucity of extension training. Questions on job satisfaction showed that respondents were highly satisfied with: a) an opportunity to work in an area they are trained (N=88, 57%), b) level of education (N=75 (61%), c) enthusiasm towards their work (N=72 (58.5%), and d) opportunity to work with local farmers. However, they were highly dissatisfied with: a) their salaries (N=108 (87.8%), b) the process of decentralization (N=83 (75.6%), c) cooperation from non-governmental agencies (N=87 (70.7%), d) respect from peers in other sectors of government (N=83 (68.0%), e) training in development (N=79 (65.3%), and f) training in communication (N=65 (54.2%). We find their complaints on lack of or limited training in development and communication worthy to note because in the last 40 years extension performance has stressed facilitation among development partners. It can be argued, therefore, that the slow process of decentralization, the friction between extension workers and their NGO counterparts, and their inability to get along with their compatriots in other ministries can be traced to their limited or lack of training in development and communication, otherwise called “Communication for Development” (C4D). We conclude, therefore, that if extension workers are to be effective in their new role as development facilitators not only must their training in agriculture expand to include C4D but, equally significant, extension systems throughout the continent must operate as a profession. Therefore, the authors recommend the establishment of a professional association throughout Africa, under the rubric of “ExtensionAfrica,” which will address the need for extension effectiveness on the continent. We particularly recommend a collaborative relationship with the African Forum for Agricultural Services (AFAAS), which has a mandate for advising on extension services, to make this happen.

Bridging Gender Gaps in Provision of Agricultural Extension Service Using ICT

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Sanga ◽  
V. J. Kalungwizi ◽  
C. P. Msuya
Keyword(s):  
Group Discussion ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Women Farmers ◽  
Extension Service ◽  
Advisory Panel ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Agricultural Extension Service ◽  
Ict Tools ◽  
Radio Programs ◽  
Important Evidence

This article was designed to present the assessment of the effectiveness of radio - based, impact driven smallholder farmer extension service system provided by FVR to enhance accessibility of extension services to women and men in the project areas of Tanzania. Specifically, this paper assessed women and men farmers' access to ICT and factors influencing the utilization of ICT to deliver agricultural information and knowledge. The paper used data from impact assessment survey of the project conducted between April 2012 and June 2012. These data were complemented by focus group discussion involving members of gender advisory panel that had been established in the selected project sites. Quantitative data were analyzed to yield frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. Even though ownership of mobile phones and radio was higher among women in all study areas both men and women farmers' had almost the same percentage in accessibility to agricultural extension information. The factors that affected women and men farmers to get quality agricultural information via these ICT tools were namely: poor radio signal reception, power outrage and poor timing of radio programs among others. This is important evidence that careful use of ICT can reduce gender imbalance in agricultural extension services and information delivery.

Organisational Adventures in District Government in Long An Province: Central Regulation Versus Local Initiative

2004 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-305
Author(s):  
Natalie Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
The State ◽  
Central Regulation ◽  
Socialist Republic ◽  
Reform Era ◽  
Local Initiative ◽  
District Government

AbstractThis article explores the role of district government in agricultural development in Vietnam's Long An province from 1954 to the present. It argues that it is only in the reform era that the district has begun to realise its potential as a 'transmission belt' between the higher authorities and the grassroots. Under the South Vietnamese regime and in the pre-reform era of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, local initiative was stifled as policy was dictated from on high by central government, with disastrous consequences. In the reform era, district officials have been joined by 'associates of the state', such as agricultural extension officers, to develop innovative 'local' approaches to agricultural development. This has led to increased prosperity but also rising inequality. While the central government has been more willing to allow local experimentation under reform, its influence and interests are still felt, even at the district level. Most scholars emphasise a sharp break between pre-1975 and post-1975 Vietnam. By contrast, this article highlights the way in which there are important elements of continuity both between regimes and between the pre-reform and post-reform eras.

scholarly journals The Impact Of Agricultural Extension Contact On Crop Income In Bangladesh

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Zafar Mahmudul Haq
Keyword(s):  
Random Sampling ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Agricultural Extension ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Extension Services ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Crop Income ◽  
The Impact

The impact of extension contact on crop income is examined with a view to evaluating the agricultural extension in Bangladesh. The scope of the study was ten villages of Gazipur district. The objectives of the study are to i) determine the factors influencing the benefit of extension services in terms of farm income, ii) determine the factors affecting the extension contact of farmers, and iii) suggest some policy guidelines to improve the extension services in Bangladesh. The sample of the study consists of 1000 farmers. Data came from field survey and multistage random sampling technique was used in order to collect data. The results indicated that the impact of extension contact coefficient on crop income is positive and significant. Evidence shows that the influence of extension contact coefficient is strongly positive and significant in the comparatively nearer villages to upazila headquarters, while this effect is weaker for those villages, which are comparatively away from upazila headquarters. It is found that many farmers did not receive extension contact and the effect of extension contact is weak on crop income compared to other factors such as irrigation and chemical fertilizer. It is assumed that there was enough scope to increase extension contact in the study areas. Some determinants of extension contact were also examined. The study concludes that agricultural extension is necessary to increase among the farmers. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(2): 321-334, June 2013 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i2.15893

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