Global Need for Revitalization of Agricultural Extension Training

Authors

  • Murari Suvedi Department of Community Sustainability, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, USA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26725/JEE.2019.3.31.6306-6319

Keywords:

Agricultural extension, human resources, competency

Abstract

This article surveys the trends in agricultural extension programmes and services found across the world, including privatization, decentralization, and pluralism. The general movement from top-down extension services to demand-driven programmes is explored along with its impact on the skills needed by extension professionals. Process skills and competencies required of modern extension professionals—programme planning and development, programme implementation, written and spoken communication, educational and informational technology, facilitative leadership, diversity and multiculturalism, public relations, and applied research and evaluation—are explained and linked to relevant skill sets. In-service training of current extension agents and improvements to the facilities, faculty, and curricula used in the education of future agents are proposed as solutions to the challenges facing agricultural extension programmes and services. In-service training would raise knowledge, skills and attitudes of extension agents to meet changing contexts and needs. The changing nature of professional extension work requires that university training programmes respond with new courses and experiences for students. Practical education through fieldwork, internships, or practicums and techniques for adult learning, technology and communication skills, and leadership development are all possible solutions for closing the gap between the agricultural and extension education training programmes and the competencies required of professional extension agents.

Author Biography

Murari Suvedi, Department of Community Sustainability, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, USA.

Professor, Department of Community Sustainability, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, USA

References

Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU). (2009) Human capacity development: The road to global competitiveness and leadership in food, agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. Washington, DC: Office of Public Affairs.

Axinn, G.H. United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization. (1988). Guide on alternative extension approaches. Rome, Italy.

Camp, W., Broyles, T., & Skelton, N. (2002, July). National study of the supply and demand for teachers of agricultural education in 1999-2001. Retrieved from http://aaaeonline.org/files/supply_demand/teachersupply2002.pdf

Chambers, R. (1983) Rural development:Putting the last first. New York: John Wiley and sons.

Chipeta, S. (2006). Demand-driven agricultural advisory services. Lindau: Neuchâtel Group and Swiss Centre for Agricultural Extension and Rural Development.

Cooper, A.W., & Graham, D. L. (2001). Competencies needed to be successful county agents and county supervisors. Journal of Extension, 39(1), 1-7.

Economic Research Service (ERS). (2011). International Food Security Assessment, 2011-21/ GFA-22. Washington, DC: USDA. Feed the Future. (2011, August). Feed the Future Newsletter, (1), 3.

Ghere, G., King, J., Stevahn, L., & Minnema, J. (2006). A professional development unit for reflecting on program evaluator competencies. American Journal of Evaluation, 2, 108-123.

Hill, C., Corbett, C., & Rose, A. (2010). Why so few? Women in science, technology, and mathematics. Washington, DC: American Association of University Women.

Levine, J., Artabasy, J., Andrews, M., Majewski, K., Vandenberg, L., Haas, B., & Thelen, K. (2002, June, 14). Core competencies and MSU extension: Task group recommendations. Retrieved from http://www.msue.msu.edu/portal/default.cfm?pageset_id=298464&page_id=300561&msue_portal_id=25643.

Maddy, D.J., Niemann, K., Lindquist, J., & Bateman, K. (2002). Core competencies for the Cooperative Extension System. Retrieved from http://extn.msu.montana.edu/Jobs/pdf/Core_Competencies.pdf

McLean, D.D., Bannon, J.J., & Howard, G. (1999). Leisure resources: Its comprehensive planning. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc.

Milburn, L.S., Mulley, S.J., & Cline, C. (2010). The end of the beginning and the beginning of the end: The decline of public agricultural extension in Ontario. Journal of Extension [On‐line], 48(6) Article 6FEA7. Retrieved from: http://www.joe.org/joe/2010 December/a7.php

National Research Council of the National Academies. (2009). Transforming agricultural education for a changing world. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

Osman-Gani, A.M., & Liang-Tang, W. (1998). Human resource development: The key to sustainable growth and competitiveness of Singapore. Human Resource Development International, 1(4).

Scheer, S.D., Ferrari, T.M., Earnest, G.W., & Connors, J.J. (2006). Preparing extension professionals: The Ohio State University’s model of extension education. Journal of Extension. 44(4).

Suvedi, M., & Kaplowitz, M. (2016). What every extension worker should know: Core competency handbook. Urbana Champaign, IL: Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services project. http://csus.msu.edu/meas

Swanson, B. (2008). Global review of good agricultural extension and advisory service practices. Rome, Italy: Research and Extension Division, Food and Agriculture Organization.

Swanson, B., & Rajalahti, R. (2010). Strengthening agricultural extension and advisory systems: procedures for assessing, transforming, and evaluating extension systems. Washington D.C: The World Bank, Agriculture and Rural Development (Paper 45).

Downloads

Published

2020-05-29

How to Cite

Suvedi, M. (2020). Global Need for Revitalization of Agricultural Extension Training. Journal of Extension Education, 31(3). https://doi.org/10.26725/JEE.2019.3.31.6306-6319