Rural Extension Vol. II

Recent rural development policy and approaches in the developing world have focused more on policy dialogue, good governance and decentralization in reaching the MDGs. Subsequently however, agricultural extension services have suffered, with poor funding and generally underpaid and under trained manpower. Despite many agencies recommending pluralistic extension models delivering services according to demand and market opportunities, their realization has been problematic. The challenge Increasing scarcity of food, fuel, feed and fiber, combined with new risks posed by climate change has catapulted agriculture back onto the political agenda. Issues of food security, environmental protection and sustainable economic development pose new and major challenges to the agricultu-ral sector, and to extension in particular. The problem Incredibly, most classic textbooks on agricultural extension have become outdated or are unavailable. The scope for training - especially in Europe - not only within agricultural organizations but also in universities is facing extinction. Consequently, there is a growing deficit in scientific and professional orientation regards agricultural ex-tension. The solution To meet this critical gap in knowledge, the University of Hohenheim, with support from the BMZ and GTZ has edited a 3rd fully revised edition of the handbook to be published in 2009 by Margraf, available to citizens of ACP countries via the CTA. The revised 3rd edition - expanded, comprehensive, contemporary Much has changed since the last edition in 1987. This revised 3rd edition updates existing knowledge with new insights in line with recent developments and experience. It covers more and broader perspectives, both rural as well as important rural-urban linkages, agricultural technologies and agriculture in developing nations facing increasing integration into globalized markets and value chains. It references all five continents, with regard to good practices and achievements as well as the pressing is-sues. There is also a brand new volume dealing with capacity building. The revised 3rd edition is both tool and train-ing guide, essential for all those involved in agricultural extension, whether impoverished or smallholder farmers or commercial farmers and companies, and equally suit-able for use from field level up to university courses. The Volumes We recommend reading the first volume completely and then to use the others for re-ference purposes. Here you find a brief overview: Volume 1: Basic Issues and Concepts [Ed. by V. Hoffmann, Maria Gerster-Bentaya, A. Christinck and M. Lemma] Volume one lays out basic issues and concepts of agricultural extension in a problem-orientated, demand driven and systemic/systematic approach. Improve the design, planning and implementation of work programs and activities, enhancing the quality of advisory work for the benefit of both client and society alike. Volume 2: Examples and Background Materials [Ed. by V. Hoffmann, A. Christinck and M. Lemma] The second volume supplements and illustrates the first by providing a wide range of practical examples and background materials. Volume 3: Training Concepts and Tools [Ed. by Maria Gerster-Bentaya and Volker Hoffmann] The completely new third volume is of special interest to those involved in the training of extension workers as well as to academic staff. It provides comprehensive guidance and assistance in areas such as training concepts and tools, course outlines and modules.