Coping with changes in agricultural extension in Uganda and implications for program evaluation : a review of recent experiences

Abstract

This paper presents a review of recent changes in Uganda's agricultural extension service with emphasis on management, co-ordination, and evaluation of agricultural extension organisations. The need for an effective institution in the Country to co-ordinate and evaluate agricultural extension activities is discussed. Whether such an institution should be a public or a private institution is a question that has been widely researched (Umali, 1997:204, Kraft, 1997:29, Picciotto & Anderson, 1997:249-259). However, in Uganda, this question is still one of the most controversial questions to which this paper is, but a small contribution. The solution to this question requires a thorough understanding of the changes that have affected agricultural extension during the recent past. An attempt is made, therefore, to discuss how agricultural extension could cope with the changes emanating from decentralisation, export diversification, privatisation, liberalisation, and agricultural modernisation policies. It is suggested that a national extension co-ordination organisation be formed, with the public extension system taking the lead, to co-ordinate extension activities until such a time when farmers' associations and other private organisations can take the lead in delivery and co-ordination of agricultural extension services in the Country.