Introduction to the New Extensionist Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) Part of the New Extensionist Learning Kit

What is the New Extensionist? A set of core competencies required for extension providers Built on the wider Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) A shift towards professional training and accreditation Pluralistic approach among extension providers

Rationale for the New Extensionist Study unit 1 Rationale for the New Extensionist

Overview Study unit 1 is about: Trends observed in the rural sector with a focus on globalisation and the need for pluralism The development of the AIS to address the changing rural context Types of EAS providers and their roles

Changes in rural farming/ livelihoods Trends affecting rural agricultural development: Globalisation Marginalisation of rural communities Diverse socio-economic conditions

Pluralism Rural communities have diverse needs Collaboration of rural advisory service providers Different methods and approaches to address specific problems Divided into public/government and non-government actors

Extension and AIS Aimed at meeting the ever-changing needs of rural communities

AIS framework Built on the agricultural knowledge and information system (AKIS) Aimed at connecting actors within the agricultural sector to promote interaction Focused on innovation

Implementation Focus Capacity Actors and their roles Identify actors and their roles Aimed at value addition, output marketing, social mobilisation, institutional development, policy advocacy, coordination, and networking Patterns of interaction that exist between different role players The level of connection between actors The identification of isolated institutes and organisations Methods of linking actors

Implementation Focus Capacity Actors and their roles How organisations operate and considering social and infrastructure aspects Their readiness to link other actors How their structuring will affect linking with other actors Patterns of interaction that exist between different role players Challenges and limitations Policies available to promote linking actors Abilities of actors to influence policymaking

Role of extension in AIS Identifies gaps in service delivery Facilitates the interaction between actors Assists in the distribution of resources Depends on public or private extension provision

EAS providers and their roles Pluralism involves identifying the roles of all extension providers

Private extension providers Farmer organisations Both recipients and providers of extension services. Used to spread extension programmes among farmers by farmers NGOs Normally focused on addressing welfare, gender equality, and environmental stability issues Private companies Corporate organisations who also provide extension services often through the use of outgrower schemes

Public extension providers Government run extension programmes Meant to be impartial and focused on the public good Normally able to assist through training programmes and financial aid

Combined systems Combinations of both private and public extension systems

New Extensionist capacities Study unit 2 New Extensionist capacities

Overview Study unit 2 is about: The vision, mission, and guiding principles of GFRAS The strategic fields and different levels of capacity development How these fields relate to one another The core competencies to be covered in the New Extensionist Learning Kit.

GFRAS principles Focused on Demand-drive and accountability Pluralism and partnership Harmonisation Subsidiarity Alignment Results

Capacity development

Capacity development levels The capacity development levels defined by the FAO form part of the guiding principles of GFRAS Basis for the mission and vision of GFRAS

Capacity development levels Goal Level 1: Enabling environment Focus on strengthening the enabling environment for pluralistic RAS networks and actors Level 2: Organisational Create and further strengthen regional RAS networks and forums Level 3: Individual Develop appropriate and comprehensive human resources in rural advisory services

Strategic fields of action Ensure the achievement of GFRAS’ mission and vision based on the capacity development levels

Strategic fields of action Goal Field 1: Advocacy and support Increased recognition of rural advisory services in policies and investments Field 2: Professionalisation of RAS Strengthening the performance of RAS Field 3: Facilitation and enhancement of effective and continuous knowledge generation and exchange Enhanced learning in RAS

Core competencies Competency The ability to do something efficiently and effectively Core competencies outlined by the GFRAS consortium Aimed at promoting professionalism in extension Divided into 13 modules

13 core competencies Module 1: Introduction to the New Extensionist Module 2: Extension approaches and tools Module 3: Agricultural extension programme management Module 4: Professional ethics Module 5: Adult learning for behavioural change Module 6: Basic knowledge management and extension Module 7: Introduction to facilitation for development Module 8: Communication mobilisation Module 9: Farmer organisational development Module 10: The role of extension in value chains Module 11: Agricultural entrepreneurship Module 12: Gender in extension and advisory services Module 13: Risk management and adaptation in extension and advisory services

Acknowledgements This module was made possible through the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The contents of this module are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of GIZ or their government. All work by Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services is licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 Unported License.