Informing extension project design: the right tool for the job

Abstract

Extension successfully creates change when projects are designed to fit the issue, opportunity, or technology to be implemented, the potential users, and the influences external to the farm team. To better understand when and why different approaches to extension succeed this study developed a typology of nine extension approaches. The nine approaches provide a framework to identify the right extension approaches that will drive sustainable productivity improvements for higher onfarm profitability. Factors that need to be understood when deciding which of the extension approaches is best suited to a particular circumstance are: farmers' awareness of the problem, problem complexity, benefits desired by farmers, compatibility of the new technology with existing farm management, and the ability of the farm team to implement the technology. This paper outlines the 9 extension approaches, and the criteria and process for choosing the appropriate approach for the circumstances. Keywords: extension approaches, technology transfer, co-development