The success of agricultural innovation systems (AIS) are greatly dependent on effective communication of knowledge. This module outlines the different types of knowledge that you as an extension agent will need to deal with as well as the different sources through which knowledge can be gained. You will learn that different situations may require you to take on different intermediary roles in order to facilitate the transfer of knowledge. This module also describes the different communication media and tools available to you to support your role in stimulating the flow of knowledge.

Over the years, agricultural extension has moved towards a participatory approach. This has created a need for extension organisations to be more responsive to those using their services. Economic crises have triggered a need for increased accountability, restructuring and reform in agricultural extension since the early 1990s. At the national level, inappropriate public extension policies, limited public funds, lack of accountability, and growing rural poverty have prompted developing countries to re-examine the relevance of agricultural extension in rural development. 

Agricultural extension faces the challenge of establishing a well-managed, effective, and accountable system that meets the needs of many farmers engaged in diverse and complex farming systems, as well as effectively monitoring, evaluating and assessing the impact of extension services. These challenges are the result of how dependent extension is on the performance of the agricultural research system and its feedback linkages as well as the inherent problems in ensuring political commitment and the economic sustainability of agricultural extension.

In this module, you will learn about the role of extension in innovation and development. An overview of the history of extension, its development and its status as a science and profession will be investigated with the second half of the module focusing on the tools and approaches available to you as an extension practitioner, and how apply them. 

The Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) has elaborated the envisaged role of the “New Extensionist” and has identified the capacities required at the individual level. In this module you will be introduced to the changing context of the rural community and the implications of this on extension activities. This will be done in order to understand how the currently favoured agricultural innovation system came into being and to understand the individual roles of different types of extension advisory service providers and how they are linked. In the second half of the module, you will be introduced to the vision, mission and guiding principles of GFRAS that form the core of the organisation. In doing so you will be able to understand how the learning kit relates to you as a future extension professional and what is to come as you further your studies.