Changing Agriculture Extension Models in Pacific Island Countries

Abstract

There has been a shift in extension service model in the Pacific Island Countries. Initially, extension service was largely provided by public sector but over the past decade there is an emergence of new extension service model. The extension services emerging are private owned or jointly managed by government and NGOs. Though the governments still play a larger role in extension service of the Pacific Islands countries, there are cases where some cooperatives and private organisations have resorted in providing their own extension service. In the neighbouring countries, Australia and New Zealand, a similar trend has resulted in extension service being privatized. This paper will provide insight into why and how far the transformation in extension service has occurred in the Pacific Island Countries.

Key words: Agribusiness, cooperatives, extension model, extension service, public extension