Investment in Extension and Advisory Services as Part of Agricultural Innovation Systems Overview

What drives innovation in the agricultural sector? A spatial analysis of knowledge spillovers

“…In contrast, agricultural extension is now increasingly seen as part of the innovation system that facilitates learning (Davis and Heemskerk, 2012). In line with this, the linear or top-down extension approach has diminished and extension systems have moved to a more participatory approach that facilitates active farmer learning and interaction (Davis et al, 2011).…”

How to Succeed as an International Horticultural Consultant

“…To be fair, it must be mentioned that working conditions of extension personnel have deteriorated within the last three decades, while their duties are increasing (Nagel, 1997). These days, extension agents must be technically excellent and highly proficient as educational practitioners, creating an infrastructure that promotes innovation and continuous learning (Davis and Heemskerk, 2012;Liles and Mustian, 2004). The challenge is to offer an expertise that adds to the one that the farmers already have (Leeuwis, 2004a) and fits their needs.…”

“…The challenge is to offer an expertise that adds to the one that the farmers already have (Leeuwis, 2004a) and fits their needs. Although it is impossible for a single person to meet all the ideal IHC characteristics, we would like to present the most frequently mentioned attributes of a successful IHC (Anderson, 2007;Davis and Heemskerk, 2012;Leeuwis, 2004a;Liles and Mustian, 2004) and group them in four categories.…”

“…The term was born around 1850 in the British universities of Oxford and Cambridge with the intention of reaching broader audiences beyond the students on campus (Jones and Garforth, 1997). Views of agricultural extension have changed over time (Davis and Heemskerk, 2012). Today, it describes all kinds of support for people engaged in agriculture by helping them to make the best possible use of their productive resources (Anderson, 2007;Muyanga and Jayne, 2006).…”

“…A further criticism is that conventional extension ignores nonfarm stakeholders of a food system (Christoplos, 2008). Although women constitute 60% of the rural population worldwide, only 5% were receiving extension services (Davis and Heemskerk, 2012).…”