Opportunities and challenges for extension in rural areas: experience from the Mukono district of Uganda with the training and visit extension model
1996
Beraho, E. (University of Adelaide, Roseworthy (Australia). Agronomy and Farming Systems Dept.) | Sheahan, B. | Reeves, T.
This paper discusses aspects of rural extension from the perspective of experience gained in working with rural communities in Uganda between 1989 and 1992, insight into the operation of landcare groups in Australia in 1993, as well as observations and a survey recently carried out in the Mukono district during 1994. An argument is presented that more than an appropriate communication technique (extension model) is needed for meaningful utilisation of extension messages in rural areas. The paper highlights strengths and weaknesses in the current extension system based on the Training and Visit (T and V) model, points out challenges an extension agency has to face in rural change, identifies opportunities available to enhance change, and presents a model that could be adopted to improve service delivery to rural areas. This model is based on the Ministry of Agriculture utilising a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) linked to farmers groups. The extension system is comprised of three main subsystems: farmers' subsystem, NGO subsystem and Ministry of Agriculture subsystem, linked in such a way that each subsystem does what it can do best in enhancing communication and utilisation of agricultural information in rural places. A need for developing and strengthening grassroot institutions, in order to develop a local capacity to sustain development and break the dependency syndrome is highlighted
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
