Approaches, Effects and Challenges of Agricultural Advisory Services Experienced by the Program for the Improvement of the Competitiveness of Family Agro-pastoral Farms (ACEFA) in Dja-et-Lobo Division (Cameroon)

Abstract

This article examines the agricultural advisory services support package of the program for the improvement of the Competitiveness of Family Agro-pastoral Farms (ACEFA) and its impacts on Family Agro-pastoral Farms (EFA) and Producer Groups (PG) in the Dja-et-Lobo Division in the Southern Region of Cameroon. The study is based on the survey of 143 Family Agro-pastoral Farms, 19 Advisory Agents with 4 Specialized Advisory Agents (SC), 15 Producer Group Advisory Agents (CGP), and the Divisional Technical Unit Head (CTD) of the ACEFA program. It is observed that the agricultural advisory services promoted are done individually and in groups, following a participatory approach at the demand of EFA officials and members of the PG. The actors involve face challenges in the implementation and understanding of the promoted approaches, with some tools that they judged to be too complex. It appears this approach and its tools are not well adapted to suit the profiles and educational level of many EFA and Advisory Agents. The findings contribute to the emerging literature on agricultural advisory services and extension program efficiency. It is suggested that the ACEFA program should adjust its approach and tools to suit the profiles of EFA members and Advisory Agents.