The functionality of agricultural extension and advisory services from a system perspective: a subnational level analysis in India

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

This paper deals with the system level empirical analysis of Extension and Advisory Service (EAS) characteristics in India which help in identifying the functional nature of a pluralistic extension system.

Design/Methodology/Approach:

The study uses the ‘Best Fit’ framework for analysis of EAS of 36 organisations and applies criteria of functional advisory services proposed by Prager et al.

Findings:

Drawing knowledge from diverse sources; appropriate cooperation between them; a stable or growing workforce of field staff; staff receiving regular training and the use of a wide range of advisory methods by EAS providers were the positive aspects contributing to functional EAS. Advisory topics covered and clients group orientation was not uniform and inclusive. Time spent on advisories and other activities varied considerably among the different categories of organisations. Despite limitations, public EAS providers still play an important role in cementing all EAS providers in a pluralistic extension system and reaching out to the unreached.

Practical implications:

System level evaluation of EAS in a country highlights the functional and dysfunctional components of pluralistic EAS which can be strengthened or fixed for improving EAS support to farmers.

Theoretical implications:

The study depicts the application of the Best Fit Framework for system level evaluation of pluralistic EAS in a sub-national context. The conceptual framework for assessing the functionality of the EAS system is mainly drawn using the theories of New Institutional Economics and Operational Management.

Originality/Value:

The uniqueness of this study is that it evaluates EAS from a systems perspective and empirically identifies the functional and dysfunctional aspects while considering it as a part of the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS).

KEYWORDS:

• Extension and advisory services
• performance
• system analysis
• pluralistic extension
• functional advisory services
• Best Fit Framework

Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful to Dr. Suresh Pal, Director, ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi for providing valuable guidance for planning and conducting the study. We are grateful to all the personnel from various organisations for providing the information, particularly Dr. Vishal Vairagar and Dr. Chetan Thombre. Contribution of Mr Ranjith in data entry and analysis is duly acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vinayak Nikam

Dr Vinayak Nikam is working as Scientist (Senior Scale) at ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (New Delhi). He did his PhD from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (New Delhi) in agricultural extension. He also holds faculty membership in the discipline of Agricultural Extension at ICAR-Indian Agriculture Research Institute (New Delhi). He has more than nine years of research experience. His research interest includes impact assessment of agriculture technologies, performance and impact assessment of Farmer Producer Organisations and evaluation of Extension and Advisory Services.

Arathy Ashok

Ms Arathy Ashok is working as Scientist (Senior Scale) at ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi. She holds M.Sc (Agricultural Extension) from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India and International Master of Science in Rural Development (IMRD) from University of Ghent, Belgium. Her focus areas of work include extension and advisory services, impact assessment technologies and gender studies in agriculture and allied sectors. She has 11 years of research experience in Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

Rajiv B. Kale

Dr Rajiv B. Kale is a Senior Scientist (Agricultural Extension) at ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India. He holds a doctoral degree in Agricultural Extension from National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. His research focuses on the impact assessment of technology adoption, agri-business incubation, value chain management and information and communication technologies for technology transfer. He has 11 years of research experience in Indian Council of Agricultural Research.