Key Messages: CTA Policy Learning Workshop for Improving Effectiveness of Extension and Advisory Services. CTA Headquarters, Wageningen, The Netherlands. August 20 – 23, 2013. J.A. Francis*, CTA
From August 20 – 23, 2013, CTA brought together key academicians, researchers and extension experts from Africa, Caribbean, the Pacific, Europe and the US to share research results, knowledge and experiences, derive policy lessons and discuss and plan interventions for improving the effectiveness of extension delivery and mechanisms for capacity building. This workshop built on and integrated lessons learned fromthe 2011 International Conference on “Innovations in Extension and Advisory Services: Linking Knowledge to Policy and Action for Food and Livelihoods” and the results from the ExtensionAfrica case studies. The ten key messages emanating for the workshop are as follow:
1) Agriculture could have a golden future globally. Effective rural extension and advisory work is as much needed as ever before. Extension must keep pace with farming/agricultural development.
2) Need to advance extension science but the concept needs to be further interrogated and clarified. Need for data and more research on extension to advise/inform policy and practice. Work being pioneered by ExtensionAfrica and CTA can help. More inter and trans-disciplinary action research is needed as well as capacity development of the extension researchers. However, there is also the need to not lose focus of extension as a practice.
3) Need for coherence between national agricultural policy and extension. This must be addressed within the context of the nature of agricultural sector and rural development and opportunities for cost recovery.
4) Need for extension agents who are generalists and have core expertise and skills as well as for specialisation given complexity of challenges. Capacity building for advisers is urgent.
5) Extension must take into consideration the cultural/social systems in which it is embedded and is as well a part of the same system and the wider innovation system and contributes to development. There is need to understand and to build on the historical context as well as integrate traditional practices and gender in any new extension model. Cannot import models from outside.
6) System of governance including professionalizing extension, code of conduct and basic value system need to be addressed. Extension agents need to own their agendas and self organize. The GFRAS-Regional Fora System should be expanded and opened up to country fora and individual membership in the national fora.
7) Knowledge management systems need to be upgraded and relevant if the system is to function. ExtensionAfrica and CTA recognize that this is crucial to the success of extension. Cautioned about information overflow. Effective communication is crucial.
8) Curriculum review to address the needs of the changing demands on extension and circumstances and needs of farmers and the agricultural system is essential. Key institutions must assume ownership and leadership of the process. Core training needs and resource mobilization are critical.
9) ICT has always been a feature of extension. As the technologies emerge, the appropriateness of tools; communication methods and approaches, the number of messages and the multiplicity of providers must be streamlined. An assessment of farmers’ needs and a corresponding technology scan (infrastructure, devices and cost) should be considered. Situation differs from country to country.
10) Extension Africa recognizes the other players in the field of extension, must identify areas of synergy and contribution and will forge formal linkages with AFAAS, CAADP, FARA, GFRAS and other players in the field. Added value will be the professionalism in extension, extension science, research in extension and knowledge management. This can eventually evolve into an Extension ACP movement.
* Prepared in consultation with the workshop delegates and finalized with support of Professor Volker Hoffman.