The reform of agricultural extension is on the agenda in many countries and there is a growing convergence among many actors and agencies on key principles that should underpin the process of change. But reform needs to be firmly grounded in a sound analysis of issues relevant to a particular context. This guide provides a framework of such issues as a basis for monitoring, evaluation and analytical discussions to improve support to agricultural extension. It will provide a useful tool for donors, national and local actors involved in planning and organization of extension services seeking to accomplish:

A strategic dialogue among donors and national and local partners regarding visions for extension and rural development.

• Integration of donor interventions with the broader policy framework and approaches of national partners.
• Optimisation of the allocation of available resources.
• Application of common approaches to analyses so as to permit comparison of experience and joint learning among various actors and agencies.

The guide is based on the “Common Framework on Agricultul Extension” a statement of the current discourse prepared by the Neuchâtel Initiative, an informal network for analysing and improving donor co-ordination on support on agricultural extension. The Common Framework presents a challenge for moving from a vision to concrete and sustainable action for the improvement of advisory services.