Towards an improved agricultural extension service as a key role player in the settlement of new farmers in South Africa

Abstract

South Africa (SA) finds itself in a region where the rich countries perceive it as a
sustainable and viable proposition for investment. The prospects for the future are
bright but a warning light is burning: high food prices; shortage of essential food and
the import of it; 50% of land reform projects have failed. Can the SA Agricultural
Extension service play a role to address these issues?
Research in SA clearly indicates a new concept of Extension and identifies 13
essential principles underlying any Extension approach, ranging from an educational
and pro-active approach to an advisory and reactive approach. By means of
consultation, discussion and dialogue extension practitioners and trainers developed
an Agricultural Landscape for Extension, identifying specific concepts, study fields
and essential knowledge/skills areas that form the “playing field” for the extension
agent. An effective extension service is based on certain fixed principles namely:
· The interrelationship between agricultural development and human development;
· Development being needs based;
· Participation being essential for all role players; and
· Any intervention program being focused on behaviour change.The Landscape highlights the following concepts as being necessary to improve
Agricultural Extension:
- Technical competency (the extension agent must be an expert in at least one field
of agriculture);
- Communication skills (verbal; non verbal; written and mass communication);
- Group facilitation skills (group dynamics and leadership); and
- Extension management (program planning, management functions, ethics.
monitoring and evaluation and leadership development).
Land reform in SA is a priority program with efficient productivity as its ultimate
outcome. The settlement of new farmers and specifically post settlement support
become decisive. Guidelines to support the extension agent are:
· The selection of new farmers by means of an effective screening instrument;
· The farmer, or group of beneficiaries, need to work cohesively. The new farmer
must have a clear understanding of the farm as a business;
· Where possible the new farmer should be linked to a mentor;
· The farm needs a viable and sustainable business plan;
· The farm and farmer need financial support as prescribed in the business plan;
and
· The production of produce needs to be market driven.
To-day's clients demand a professional service. The professional registration of
extension agents should in own interest and in the interest of the industry be
implemented as a matter of urgency. Extension in SA needs a vision that is focused
on the future.

Keywords: Extension landscape, principles, farmer settlement, technical competency

South African Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 37 2008: pp. 58-84