Exploring the Nexus between Extension Agents’ Extension Approaches, Training, and the Challenges of Cereal Production

Abstract

This study evaluated the linkages between the approaches adopted by extension agents in providing agricultural extension services to farmers, the capacity building of the extension personnel, and the challenges for cereal production. Using purposive sampling, 62 extension personnel were interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the deductive approach of qualitative content analysis. The study found that a participatory approach is not fully decentralized in planning and evaluation of the agricultural extension programs to meet the demand-driven services of the farmers. Moreover, there is a discrepancy between the capacity building of the extension personnel and the challenges incurred in cereal production— the training is mostly focused on production and post-harvest of cereal production, while having multitude of challenges in marketing as well. Therefore, it is recommended that a participatory approach must be fully promoted and the training of extension personnel must be melded with the demand-driven needs of farmers in approaching the cereal production issues. The study could be helpful for extension agents and policymakers to understand ways to increase the quality and effectiveness of agricultural extension services to foster agricultural production.