Impact and organization of agricultural extension

The South African Society for Agricultural Extension's annual conference was devoted to this‐topic. Agricultural services are in a melting pot. Services and institutions should be re‐evaluated. Financial management is the prime problem in commercial agriculture. The subsistence sector's problems are different. Various private and government bodies are involved in extension. Goals differ, and there is need for better communication among institutions. Confusion reigns regarding the mission of extension. Many exten‐sionists have too many other duties, and the ratio of extensionists to farmers is generally unfavourable. Extension impact is difficult to measure. There are possibilities of privatization, with some having already occurred. Distinctions should be made between providing (funding) extension and producing it. If it is to be advantageous, privatization should increase competition, must have clear objectives, be accountable, and should preclude staff problems. The diversity of Southern African agriculture dictates diversity of structures and market segmentation. Organizational structure effects efficiency and effectiveness of extension. A balance is needed between centralization and decentralization. The final goal is producer motivation.

Notes

Respectively Professor of Agricultural Economics and Senior Lecturer in Agrarian Extension, University of Pretoria.