Published July 1, 2026 | Version v1
Journal article Open

A REVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION INNOVATIONS ACROSS THE WORLD - A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Division of Agricultural Extension, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
  • 2. Directorate of Research, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
  • 3. Office of the Controller of Examinations, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore

Description

Agricultural extension has undergone substantial innovation across countries and regions as governments and development agencies have sought more effective ways to transfer agricultural knowledge and technologies to farmers. This review examines major extension innovations from Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and North America, including participatory extension systems, farmer field schools, pluralistic and private extension models, public–private partnerships, farmer organizations, digital advisory services, call centres, expert systems and technology centres. Across these cases, the literature shows that effective extension is not limited to information delivery; it also depends on farmer participation, institutional coordination, access to resources and responsiveness to local social and economic conditions. Many of the innovations reviewed move extension away from a top-down model toward more demand-driven, collaborative and context-specific approaches. The review suggests that no single extension model is universally appropriate. Instead, agricultural extension systems are most effective when they combine technical advice, institutional support and mechanisms that strengthen farmer learning, inclusion and adoption of innovations.

Files

01. A review of agricultural extension innovations across the world a critical analysis .pdf

Files (1.5 MB)

Additional details

Software

Repository URL
https://journals.rdagriculture.in/

References

  • 1. Abraham, V., & Raj, S. (2022). Agricultural extension system What works and what does not? Implications for Tamil Nadu. Agricultural Research Journal, 59, 990–999. https://doi.org/10.5958/2395-146X.2022.00140.5. [Google Scholar]
  • 2. Ackah-Nyamike Jnr, E. (2008). Agricultural Extension World Wide Innovations (R.Saravanan). New India Publishing Agency. [Google Scholar]
  • 3. Ajrawat, B., & Kumar, A. (2012). Impact of KVK training programme on socio-economic status and knowledge of trainees in Kathua District. Journal of Krishi Vigyan, 1(1), 31–34. [Google Scholar]
  • 4. Ambaye, T. K., Tsehay, A. S., & Hailu, A. G. (2021). Analysis of the status and determinants of rural households' access to agricultural extension services: The case ff Jimma Geneti Woreda, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies, 8(1), 52–99. [Google Scholar]
  • 5. Anandajayasekeram, P. (2008). Concepts and practices in agricultural extension in developing countries: A source book. ILRI (aka ILCA and ILRAD). [Google Scholar]
  • 6. Anderson, J. R. (2008). Agricultural advisory services. [Google Scholar]
  • 7. Anderson, J. R., Feder, G., Evenson, R., & Pingali, P. (2007). Handbook of agricultural economics. Agricultural Extension, 3, 2343–2378. [Google Scholar]
  • 8. Anderson, J., & Van Crowder, L. (2000). The present and future of public sector extension in Africa: Contracting out or contracting in? Public Administration and Development: The International Journal of Management Research and Practice, 20(5), 373–384. [Google Scholar]
  • 9. Ayele, G., Alemu, D., & Kelemework, F. (2005). The provisions of rural services in Ethiopia: Characterization, impacts, and farmers' priorities'. Unpublished Manuscript, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC. [Google Scholar]
  • 10. Babu, S. C., Ramesh, N., & Shaw, C. (2015). The current status and role of private extension: A literature review and a conceptual framework. Knowledge Driven Development, 7–54. [Google Scholar]
  • 11. Benin, S., Nkonya, E., Okecho, G., Randriamamonjy, J., Edward, K., Lubade, G., & Kyotalimye, M. (2011). Returns to spending on agricultural extension: The case of the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) program of Uganda. Agricultural Economics, 42, 249–267. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-0862.2010.00512.x [Google Scholar]
  • 12. Birner, R., & Anderson, J. R. (2007). How to make agricultural extension demand driven? The case of India's agricultural extension policy (Vol. 729). Intl Food Policy Res Inst. [Google Scholar]
  • 13. Birner, R., Davis, K., Pender, J., Nkonya, E., Anandajayasekeram, P., Ekboir, J., Mbabu, A., Spielman, D. J., Horna, D., & Benin, S. (2009). From best practice to best fit: A framework for designing and analyzing pluralistic agricultural advisory services worldwide. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 15(4), 341–355. [Google Scholar]
  • 1. Abraham, V., & Raj, S. (2022). Agricultural extension system What works and what does not? Implications for Tamil Nadu. Agricultural Research Journal, 59, 990–999. https://doi.org/10.5958/2395-146X.2022.00140.5. [Google Scholar] 2. Ackah-Nyamike Jnr, E. (2008). Agricultural Extension World Wide Innovations (R.Saravanan). New India Publishing Agency. [Google Scholar] 3. Ajrawat, B., & Kumar, A. (2012). Impact of KVK training programme on socio-economic status and knowledge of trainees in Kathua District. Journal of Krishi Vigyan, 1(1), 31–34. [Google Scholar] 4. Ambaye, T. K., Tsehay, A. S., & Hailu, A. G. (2021). Analysis of the status and determinants of rural households' access to agricultural extension services: The case ff Jimma Geneti Woreda, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies, 8(1), 52–99. [Google Scholar] 5. Anandajayasekeram, P. (2008). Concepts and practices in agricultural extension in developing countries: A source book. ILRI (aka ILCA and ILRAD). [Google Scholar] 6. Anderson, J. R. (2008). Agricultural advisory services. [Google Scholar] 7. Anderson, J. R., Feder, G., Evenson, R., & Pingali, P. (2007). Handbook of agricultural economics. Agricultural Extension, 3, 2343–2378. [Google Scholar] 8. Anderson, J., & Van Crowder, L. (2000). The present and future of public sector extension in Africa: Contracting out or contracting in? Public Administration and Development: The International Journal of Management Research and Practice, 20(5), 373–384. [Google Scholar] 9. Ayele, G., Alemu, D., & Kelemework, F. (2005). The provisions of rural services in Ethiopia: Characterization, impacts, and farmers' priorities'. Unpublished Manuscript, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC. [Google Scholar] 10. Babu, S. C., Ramesh, N., & Shaw, C. (2015). The current status and role of private extension: A literature review and a conceptual framework. Knowledge Driven Development, 7–54. [Google Scholar] 11. Benin, S., Nkonya, E., Okecho, G., Randriamamonjy, J., Edward, K., Lubade, G., & Kyotalimye, M. (2011). Returns to spending on agricultural extension: The case of the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) program of Uganda. Agricultural Economics, 42, 249–267. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-0862.2010.00512.x [Google Scholar] 12. Birner, R., & Anderson, J. R. (2007). How to make agricultural extension demand driven? The case of India's agricultural extension policy (Vol. 729). Intl Food Policy Res Inst. [Google Scholar] 13. Birner, R., Davis, K., Pender, J., Nkonya, E., Anandajayasekeram, P., Ekboir, J., Mbabu, A., Spielman, D. J., Horna, D., & Benin, S. (2009). From best practice to best fit: A framework for designing and analyzing pluralistic agricultural advisory services worldwide. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 15(4), 341–355. [Google Scholar] 14. Braun, A., Jiggins, J., Roling, N., van den Berg, H., & Snijders, P. (2006). Global survey and review of farmer field school experiences: Report prepared for the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). The Netherlands, Final Report June, 12. [Google Scholar] 15. Bunney, F. M. G., & Bawcutt, D. E. (1991). Making a business of an extension service. Agricultural Progress (United Kingdom). [Google Scholar] 16. Chhettri, P. (2011). National Agriculture and Livestock Extension Policy (NALEP). Agriculture and Livestock Task Force.GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH SUDAN (GOSS. [Google Scholar] 17. Chole, R. R., Deshmukh, P. R., & Kapse, P. S. (2010). Transfer of Agricultural Technology. Scientific Publishers. [Google Scholar] 18. Cooperative Extension System. (n.d.). National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Retrieved March 3, 2023, [Link] 19. Das, P. (2007). As quoted from:'Proceedings of the Meeting of DDG (AE). ICAR, with Officials of State Departments, ICAR Institutes and Agricultural Universities, NRC Mithun, Jharnapani on 5th October. [Google Scholar] 20. Davis, K. E. (2008). Extension in Sub-Saharan Africa: Overview and assessment of past and current models, and future prospects. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education. [Google Scholar] 21. Derle, V. B., & Hasan, S. T. (2022). A STUDY OF FARMER PERCEPTION TOWARDS FARMER PRODUCER ORGANIZATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF LITERATURE. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(8), 10055–10059. [Google Scholar] 22. Dubey, A. K., Srivastva, J. P., Singh, R. P., & Sharma, V. K. (2008). Impact of KVK Training Programme on Socio –economic Status and Knowledge of Trainees in Allahabad District. [Google Scholar] 23. Egziabher, K. G., Mathijs, E., Maertens, M., Deckers, J., & Bauer, H. (2011). Extension participation, household income and income diversification: A system equations approach. Proceedings of the CSAE 25th Anniversary Conference. [Google Scholar] 24. Eicher, C. K. (2007). Agricultural extension in Africa and Asia. [Google Scholar] 25. Ferroni, M., & Zhou, Y. (2012). Achievements and Challenges in Agricultural Extension in India. Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, 4(3), 319–346. https://doi.org/10.1177/0974910112460435 [Google Scholar] 26. Gemo, H. R., Stevens, J. B., & Chilonda, P. (2013). The role of a pluralistic extension system in enhancing agriculture productivity in Mozambique. South African Journal of Agricultural Extension, 41, 59–75. [Google Scholar] 27. Gerevini, A., Perini, A., Ricci, F., Forti, D., Ioriatti, C., Mattedi, L., & Monetti, A. (1992). POMI: An expert system for integrated pest management of apple orchards. AI Applications (USA). [Google Scholar] 28. Gupta, H., & Shinde, S. (2013). Agricultural Extension in India. International Journal of Management and Social Sciences Research (IJMSSR). [Google Scholar] 29. Gupta, S., & Verma, S. (2013). Impact of KVK on knowledge level of farm women. J Rural Agric Res, 13(2), 87–89. [Google Scholar] 30. Hoffmann, V., Lamers, J., & Kidd, A. D. (2000). Reforming the organisation of agricultural extension in Germany: Lessons for other countries. ODI. [Google Scholar] 31. Hossain, G., Azard, kalam abul, & Akter, N. (Eds.). (2014). NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SYSTEMS IN SAARC COUNTRIES AN ANALYSIS OF THE SYSTEM DIVERSITY. SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC). [Google Scholar] 32. Hunt, W., Birch, C., Coutts, J., & Vanclay, F. (2012). The Many Turnings of Agricultural Extension in Australia. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 18(1), 9–26. [Google Scholar] https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2012.638780 33. Hunt, W., Birch, C., Vanclay, F., & Coutts, J. (2014). Recommendations arising from an analysis of changes to the Australian agricultural research, development and extension system. Food Policy, 44, 129–141. [Google Scholar] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2013.11.007 34. Jordan, A., & Guerzoni, M. (2020). The pain of a new idea: Do Late Bloomers response to Extension Service in Rural Ethiopia? ArXiv Preprint ArXiv:2006.02846. [Google Scholar] 35. Kasirye, I. (2013). Constraints to agricultural technology adoption in Uganda: Evidence from the 2005. 06-2009/10 Uganda national panel survey. [Google Scholar] 36. Kenmore, P. E. (2002). Integrated pest management. Introduction. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 8(3), 173–174. [Google Scholar] 37. Khan, F. S., Razzaq, S., Irfan, K., Maqbool, F., Farid, A., & Illahi, I. (2008). Dr. Wheat: A Web-based Expert System for Diagnosis of Diseases and Pests in Pakistani Wheat. [Google Scholar] 38. Kidane, T. T., & Worth, S. H. (2016). Different agricultural extension systems implemented in Africa: A review. Journal of Human Ecology, 55(3), 183–195. [Google Scholar] 39. Klerkx, L., & Nettle, R. (2013). Achievements and challenges of innovation co-production support initiatives in the Australian and Dutch dairy sectors: A comparative study. Food Policy, 40, 74–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2013.02.004 [Google Scholar] 40. Kokate, K. D., Mehta, A. K., Singh, A. K., Singh, L., & Adhiguru, P. (2011). Future Agricultural Extension. Westville Publishing House New Delhi. 41. Koshy, S. M., & Kumar, N. K. (2016). Attitude of farmers towards Kisan call centres. Journal of Extension Education, 28(4). [Google Scholar] 42. Larsen, K., Kim, R., & Theus, F. (2009). Agribusiness and innovation systems in Africa. World Bank Publications. [Google Scholar] 43. Lemmon, H. (1986). Comax: An Expert System for Cotton Crop Management | Science. https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.233.4759.29 [Google Scholar] 44. Lindner, R. K. (1993). Privatising the production of knowledge: Promise and pitfalls for agricultural research and extension. Australian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 37(3), 205–225. [Google Scholar] 45. Lucky, A. T., & Achebe, N. E. E. (2013). Information Communication Technology and Agricultural Information Dissemination: A Case Study of Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State. Research Journal of Information Technology, 5(1), 11–17. https://doi.org/10.19026/rjit.5.5782 [Google Scholar] 46. Meisner, C. A. (1998). Whole Family Training. VHS Video Cassette (15 Min). CIMMYT, Dhaka, Bangladesh. [Google Scholar] 47. Meisner, C. A., Sufian, A., Baksh, E., O'Donoghue, M. S., Razzaque, M. A., & Shaha, N. K. (2003). Whole family training and adoption of innovations in wheat-producing households in Bangladesh. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 9(4), 165–175. [Google Scholar] 48. Mondal, S. (2013). Text Book of Agricultural Extension with Global Innovations. Kalyani Publishers. [Google Scholar] 49. Ngugi, J., Muigai, S., & Muhoro, F. (2014). Transforming agriculture through contracted extension service delivery systems: The case of kenya's agricultural productivity and agribusiness project. African Crop Science Journal, 22, 905–915. [Google Scholar] 50. Ojha, G. P., & Basnyat, B. B. (2008). Agricultural Extension World Wide Innovations (R. Saravanan, Ed.). [Google Scholar] 51. Olayemi, S. S., Alo Adeola Ope-Oluwa, A. A. O.-O., & Angba, C. W. (2021). Evolution of agricultural extension models in Sub-Saharan Africa: A critical review. International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Studies, 8(1), 29–51. [Google Scholar] 52. Palis, F. G., & Flor, R. J. B. (2008). Agricultural Extension World Wide Innovations (R. Saravanan, Ed.). New India Publishing Agency. [Google Scholar] 53. Philibert, A. B. (2008). Ageicultural Extension World Wide Innovations (R.Saravanan). New India Publishing Agency. [Google Scholar] 54. Prager, K., Labarthe, P., Caggiano, M., & Lorenzo-Arribas, A. (2016). How does commercialisation impact on the provision of farm advisory services? Evidence from Belgium, Italy, Ireland and the UK. Land Use Policy, 52, 329–344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2015.12.024 [Google Scholar] 55. Prasad, G., & Babu, A. (2008). A Study on Various Expert Systems in Agriculture. [Google Scholar] 56. Proost, M. D. C., & Röling, N. G. (1992). "Going Dutch" in extension. Interpaks Interchange. https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=%27Going+Dutch%27+in+extension.&author=Proost%2C+M.D.C.&publication_year=1992 [Google Scholar] 57. Rafea, A., El-Azhari, S., Ibrahim, I., Edres, S., & Mahmoud, M. (1995). Experience with the development and deployment of expert systems in agriculture. [Google Scholar] 58. Rasheed Sulaiman, V. (2003). Agricultural Extension: Involvement of private sector. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Economic …. [Google Scholar] 59. Singh, D., & Kalra, R. K. (2019a). Level of satisfaction of farmers from the services provided by agricultural technology and information centre (ATIC) run by Punjab Agricultural University. International Journal of Bio-Resource and Stress Management, 10(5), 575–579. [Google Scholar] 60. Singh, D., & Kalra, R. K. (2019b). Level of satisfaction of farmers from the services provided by agricultural technology and information centre (ATIC) run by Punjab Agricultural University. International Journal of Bio-Resource and Stress Management, 10(5), 575–579. [Google Scholar] 61. Singh, J. P., Swanson, B. E., & Singh, K. M. (2006). Developing a decentralized, market-driven extension system in India: The ATMA model. Changing Roles of Agricultural Extension in Asian Nations, 203–223. [Google Scholar] 62. Sriram, N., & Philip, H. (2016). Expert System for Decision Support in Agriculture. TNAU Agritech. [Google Scholar] 63. Swanson, B. E., & Rajalahti, R. (2010). Strengthening agricultural extension and advisory systems: Procedures for assessing, transforming, and evaluating extension systems. [Google Scholar] 64. What is a 4-H Club? (2011). 4-H National Headquarters Fact Sheet. [Google Scholar] 65. Wubneh, F. K. (2007). Realizing the dream: Agricultural extension for rural livelihoods development in Ethiopia. Institute of Social Studies. [Google Scholar]