Participatory Agricultural Extension Methodologies (PAEM)

          Government extension activities are typically implemented in an inflexible and non-adaptive manner. This limits opportunities for households to learn through better-informed decision-making. Pre-designed extension models are commonly delivered to households that fail to take into account the resource constraints of households, particularly the poor. The application of such models limits the development of new ideas and the innovation of enterprise activities.

          Ah-hoc evaluations conducted by RUDEP with households after the implementation of such models reveals that training is theoretical, inputs costs are too high and beyond the resources of the poor and few, if any, households can adopt the technologies promoted. Households, particularly those in upland areas, require more practical training approaches that transfer and trial activities within their resource constraints and opportunities.

          In recognition of this problem, RUDEP and DARD are currently initiating a capacity building program for Provincial and District Extension Staff that focuses on the application of Participatory Agricultural Extension Methodologies. This follows on from a pilot capacity building program for extension officers that involved the delivery of technical courses combined with practical field exercises and technology development with households.

          The field application of approaches learned through the Capacity Building Program for Participatory Extension will be supported through RUDEP’s funding for income generating innovations. These funds support small-scale, pro-poor and innovative activities for poor households and offer a learning-by-doing opportunity for extension officers. RUDEP allocated funds for the trial of ‘Innovations’. This budget is complemented with Guidelines to support design and implementation. The Innovations fund is available for Communes and Provincial and District Extension Centres to trial innovative income-generating technologies in different Communes.