The objective of this diagnostic report, written for the Feed the Future Developing Local Extension Capacity (DLEC) project, is to assess Mozambique’s EAS system and to recommend areas for potential investment by government, donors, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector. The DLEC project measurably improves extension programs, policies and services by creating locally-tailored, partnership-based solutions and by mobilizing active communities of practice to advocate for scaling proven approaches. The five-year (2016-2021) project is designed to diagnose, test and share best-fit solutions for agricultural extension systems and services across the Feed the Future countries. Led by Digital Green in partnership with Care International, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS), DLEC is an action-oriented, evidence-based learning project that generates evidence through diagnostic studies and engagement activities, which in turn are used as a catalyst for mobilizing global and country-level communities of practice to advocate for improved extension and advisory services (EAS). The first stage of DLEC’s work includes conducting diagnostic assessments of local EAS contexts and capacities in Feed the Future and aligned countries.

This report reviews existing documentation on EAS in Senegal to recommend areas for potential investment by the Government of Senegal, donors and other stakeholders including the private sector to strengthen the system and better serve smallholder farmers’ needs. In Annex 1, it provides an assessment of the Feed the Future Naatal Mbay project’s EAS strategy and makes recommendations for strengthening it. This report also addresses cross-cutting EAS issues, such as women and youth engagement, climate change resilience, food and nutrition security, and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Planning for quality programmes

Since the development of the farmer field school (FFS) approach in the late 80s in Asia, thousands of FFS have since been implemented across the world, in over 90 countries and across a varied range of contexts and thematic areas. Demand for FFS programmes is increasing, and in several countries the approach is now institutionalized within public extension systems and NGO programmes. It is estimated that by 2015 millions of farmers and agro-pastoralists had benefitted from the unique ability of FFS programmes to address the technological, social and economic needs of smallholder farmers and land users.

This FFS Guidance Document focuses on the process and critical decisions that are necessary when starting a new FFS programme, and guides the reader through the essential steps required to establish a solid basis for such programmes, in tune with the specific local conditions. It also defines the essential elements and processes required to ensure programme relevance, quality, growth and sustainability. The document differs from most of the FFS manuals and guidelines available in that it focuses on providing support to FFS programme managers and formulators, as opposed to FFS field facilitators or trainers, who are the primary target group for most existing manuals

This document summarizes the online discussion. Integrating nutrition into the curricula of agriculture education institutions: Strengthening human capacity to promote nutrition-sensitive agriculture held on FAO’s Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum) from 10 to 27 November 2015. 

Over the three weeks of discussion, 36 contributions were shared by participants from 18 countries. The topic introduction and questions proposed as well as all contributions received are available on the discussion page: 

www.fao.org/fsnforum/forum/discussions/integrating_nutrition 

This document summarizes the online discussion What role can Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services play in realizing gender equality and improved nutrition? which was held on the FAO Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum) from 19 June to 9 July 2017. The discussion was facilitated by Hajnalka Petrics, Soniia David and Fatima Hachem from FAO, and Edye Kuyper from INGENAES.

In this discussion, participants shared ideas on the role Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) should have with regard to broader development. Participants were, in particular, invited to submit examples of AEAS successfully addressing gender inequalities and improved nutrition, but also to discuss the challenges that have impeded them to do so. Furthermore, participants were asked what the role and main activities of a global forum such as the GFRAS Nutrition Working Group should be in helping AEAS to become more gender-sensitive and able to contribute to improved nutrition.

Loin de présenter une méthode applicable en toutes circonstances, ce guide propose des principes pour construire une méthode et des outils adaptés aux conditions de chaque situation, en étroite collaboration avec des paysans motivés et leurs organisations, pour renforcer des compétences utiles au conseil, pour négocier et mettre en place des dispositifs d’appui-conseil. Ces principes sont issus d’une réflexion collective sur diverses expériences de conseil en Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre. Cet ouvrage, illustré par de nombreux exemples, s’adresse en priorité à des techniciens et des responsables paysans qui souhaiteraient approfondir ces principes méthodologiques, maîtriser des outils et construire des dispositifs d’appui-conseil.

A compressed file that contains all the modules. Note that due to its size the download may take a couple of minutes.

A short description of all the NELK modules

The Kenyan agricultural sector which directly contribute 26% to the GDP, and provide formal and informal employment in the rural areas, has been facing diverse challenges making it weak and uncompetitive. The challenges include non-adoption of improved technologies, weak linkages and interaction between stakeholders, poor infrastructure and unfair competition from open market operations, among others (Kirsten, et. al., 2009). Approaches used in the past to share ‘best bet options’ with the farming communities failed to reduce the gap between on-farm and expected optimal yields (World Bank, 2006). These have ranged from linear technology transfer, farming systems to farmer participatory methodologies.

GFRAS Charter in Russian

This compressed folder contains all the Global Good Practice Notes published so far (English and French versions)

Regional and sub-regional networks and country fora play a crucial role in the operationalisation and implementation of GFRAS work and in strengthening and advocating for RAS within their regions. They also help make sure that GFRAS puts forward the right activities and priorities on a global level, providing sort of a reality check for GFRAS’ work from the ground. Hence, the GFRAS Strategic Framework 2016-2025 and corresponding five-year operational plan place a strong focus on strengthening the capacities of the regional and sub-regional networks and country fora. Along these lines, GFRAS has been undertaking comprehensive capacity needs assessments with many of its regional networks in 2016.