Science and Technology Mailing List Archive

["Vinay Chand" <<address removed>>]

I find myself in agreement with Colin's line of thinking on extension although 
like him I am not an extension specialist.

Face to face contact is the best means of conveying information to and from 
farmers. Provided that the service is properly equipped, there is a great deal 
that a public extension can do to promote productivity, disease control, 
diversification and better all round practice. Particularly when. as Colin 
says, its is well directed towards specific objectives.

There are two points I would add from my experience. Firstly, instead of 
information technology seeking to replace extension workers, which it can't, IT 
can be used as a resource for extension workers to allow them to access 
information, keep up with latest developments and send specific enquiries to a 
central processing point. In India there is at present a great deal of 
enthusiasm about using IT and they now have call centres as well as private 
buying agents who also provide some advisory services.

The second point is that where effective, there is no reason why extension 
cannot be contracted to the private sector be it in the form of graduates from 
agricultural universities who have set up agri-clinics or companies willing to 
develop the provision of private extension. What is important is that public 
provision of extension in developing countries should be a right and the state 
should pay.


Best wishes,

Vinay Chand,
230, Finchley Road,
London NW3 6DJ, UK
Tel: 44-20-7794 5977
Fax: 44-20-7431 5715
<address removed><mailto:<address removed>>