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Developing an appropriate extension approach for South Africa: Process and outcome
Abstract
This paper, based on a project aimed at developing and implementing a new extension model for South Africa, has a twofold purpose, namely (a) to outline the participatory process that was followed and (b) to describe the outcome or model.
The first phase consisted of a national workshop with delegates from each of the nine provinces, tertiary institutions, NGO's, organized agriculture, etc. A major outcome was a majority decision in favour of guiding principles rather than an inflexible model. In a series of follow-up workshops, these identified principles were conceptualised and alternatives identified within these principles. These were captured in a discussion document and taken to the provinces for their comment. The feedback regarding extension staff's opinions and preferences was obtained by making use of a sequential combination of nominal group and Delphi techniques at regional meetings at strategic venues in the districts of the provinces. The responses were then analysed and tabled in an extensive report, including a list of recommendations, categorized and proposed to be implemented under five programs in every province.
Subsequently the management of every province responded on the implementation proposals under the five programs of planning and project management, monitoring and evaluation, coordination and linkage systems, knowledge support systems, and education and training. Provinces are now expected to appoint working groups on each of these programs with the purpose of specifying and overseeing the implementation. In a final stage the provinces will report about their programs and progress at a national workshop, which will form the basis for the development of a national policy document.
SA Jnl. Agric. Ext. Vol. 33 2004: 1-10
The first phase consisted of a national workshop with delegates from each of the nine provinces, tertiary institutions, NGO's, organized agriculture, etc. A major outcome was a majority decision in favour of guiding principles rather than an inflexible model. In a series of follow-up workshops, these identified principles were conceptualised and alternatives identified within these principles. These were captured in a discussion document and taken to the provinces for their comment. The feedback regarding extension staff's opinions and preferences was obtained by making use of a sequential combination of nominal group and Delphi techniques at regional meetings at strategic venues in the districts of the provinces. The responses were then analysed and tabled in an extensive report, including a list of recommendations, categorized and proposed to be implemented under five programs in every province.
Subsequently the management of every province responded on the implementation proposals under the five programs of planning and project management, monitoring and evaluation, coordination and linkage systems, knowledge support systems, and education and training. Provinces are now expected to appoint working groups on each of these programs with the purpose of specifying and overseeing the implementation. In a final stage the provinces will report about their programs and progress at a national workshop, which will form the basis for the development of a national policy document.
SA Jnl. Agric. Ext. Vol. 33 2004: 1-10
