Challenges and Opportunities for Improving the Delivery of Agricultural Extension Services to Small-Scale Farmers in Post-Conflict Liberia

Download or read book Challenges and Opportunities for Improving the Delivery of Agricultural Extension Services to Small-Scale Farmers in Post-Conflict Liberia written by Austen Moore and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 248 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Making only minor gains in local food security while also creating processing and marketing gaps in agricultural value chains that reduced farmers' returns and affected satisfaction with extension services. Findings also showed group-based teaching methods that included demonstrations, hands-on learning, and follow-up were appropriate and effective for Liberian smallholder farmers. Cultural factors also allowed farmers who participated in training to disseminate information to their peers. Funding affected all areas of extension, including coverage, technical capacities, and program implementation. Low governmental funding caused greater MoA reliance on NGO partners to address service delivery and capacity gaps. Funding levels also necessitated pluralism more than philosophical transitions within the MoA. Results showed positive collaboration between extension service providers at the national- and field-level, although greater involvement by the Ministry was needed. Finally, the MoA's future capacity to provide high-quality extension services to small-scale farmers was questioned in a context of anticipated reductions in donor funding.