aInternational Food Policy Research Institute, Washington DC, USA
bInternational Food Policy Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, India
cFormerly at International Food Policy Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethopia
dCentre for Research on Innovation and Science Policy, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
*Author for correspondence Email: s.babu@cgiar.org
§This is a substantially expanded version of the paper presented at the workshop on ‘Policy Options and Investment Priorities for Accelerating Agricultural Productivity and Development in India’, organized by the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai and the Institute for Human Development with the support from the Planning Commission, Government of India, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and The World Bank, during 10–11 November, 2011 in New Delhi. We are grateful to FAO- New Delhi for funding this study and for the discussions and comments during the above workshop. Usual disclaimers apply.
Agricultural extension in India has undergone several changes since independence. Still, a large number of smallholder farmers and other vulnerable groups remain unreached by the public extension system. A number of organizational performance issues hinder the effectiveness and efficiency of public extension system. These include inadequate staff numbers, low partnerships, and continued top-down linear focus to extension. This paper has presented a critical review of the current state of agricultural extension reforms in India and based on the field case studies in four states —Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu —has identified policy priorities and strategic options for further refining the on-going reform process and effective implementation of the public agricultural extension system.
Agricultural extension, strategic priorities, policy options, extension reforms
