Academic Press Agricultural Extension Reforms in South Asia: Status, Challenges, and Policy Options

Agricultural Extension Reforms in South Asia: Status, Challenges, and Policy Options is based on agricultural extension reforms across five South Asian countries, reflecting past experiences, case studies and experiments. Beginning with an overview of historical trends and recent developments, the book then delves into country-wise reform trajectories and presents several cases testing the effectiveness of different types (public and private) and forms (nutrition extension, livestock extension) of extension systems. Further, the book provides a comprehensive overview of challenges and constraints faced in formulating and implementing reforms, tying the results into a concrete set of lessons and highlighting areas that require further research. In addition, the book discusses how a major aspect of agricultural development is the productivity increase from the knowledge base of farmers, and how translating research results into a knowledge base for farmers requires designing and implementing well-functioning extension programs. Review Presents the current status, issues, challenges and solutions to agricultural extension reforms in South Asia and derives global lessons from those insights About the Author Suresh Babu has worked and conducted research in several parts of the world and brings a wide range of expertise relating to public policy research and analysis as they relate to economic growth and development. He also serves on several international advisory committees, including the Advisory Board of the World Agricultural Forum. Dr. Pramod K. Joshi is the Director for South Asia, International Food Policy Research Institute, New Delhi. He is a recipient of the Dr RC Agarwal Life Time Achievement Award and a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Indian Society of Agricultural Economics. He is the President of the Agricultural Economics Research Association-India.