Systemic Model Of Developing Agricultural Advisory Services In Iran

Abstract

Functionality, agricultural extension, particularly advisory services have been and still are being criticized for ineffectiveness, supply-drivenness, lack of sustainability and inability to offer appropriate services which benefit the poor. Nevertheless, agricultural advisory services remain crucial to improving the livelihoods of rural poor people as well as facilitating sustainable agricultural development. Even the best policy environment will not result in pro-poor agricultural growth if the concerned rural people do not have access to adequate services be they knowledge services, or more tangible services such as farm inputs, credit, land, water, appropriate technology or marketing. Hence, agricultural advisory services must continually adapt to the changing agricultural environment and to changes in farm family circumstances in order to remain relevant. The purpose of this paper was to outline the agricultural advisory services in Iran from beginning to the present based on conceptualizing expert’s opinions and empirical evidences. The processes and approaches used in the implementation of the advisory services need as much as focus as the actual conditions and programs or products around which the changes are centered. This paper explains a systemic model for institutional developing agricultural advisory services in Iran and identifies related institutional challenges and opportunities.