Science and Technology Mailing List Archive

["Alex, Gary\(EGAT/AG\)" <<address removed>>]

I generally concur with Colin Porter's comments on need to support
reformed/revised public extension. One rationale for such support is
public extension services (frequent) key role in providing technical
advice and support to other intermediaries working with farmers, as
opposed to extension agents' direct work with farmers. Quite often, I
have visited NGO programs --- and agribusinesses - and found them to be
working quite closely with (and perhaps relying on) local extension
staff for technical support for their programs. Especially in poorer
countries and poorer regions, public extension staff are the only
technical folks around. True, sometimes projects are "forced" to work
through government offices, but often it is an effective partnership
based on very informal arrangements that provide important support to
NGO and private sector programs. In reformed extension services this
support for other intermediaries working with farmers is apt to be a
priority.

 

Gary Alex

 

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Gary E. Alex, Farmer-to-Farmer Program Advisor, USAID/EGAT/AG/FTF, RRB
02.11.053, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW., Washington, DC 20523; Phone:
202-712-4086; Fax: 202-216-3579; Email: <address removed>
<mailto:<address removed>>