APEN 2001 International Conference

Toowoomba, 4th-5th October 2001

OPEN SPACE Report No:

36

Title of Topic:

Extension: What Have We Learned From Our Experiences?

Name of Leader:

OKELLO-OKANYA John

Names of Participants:

Okello-Okanya J., Rogers N., Vaschina W., Mcleod M., Jenkins A., Nunan T., Reeve J., Flint S., Wilson G., Putt H., Price N., Parmister T., Cameron T., Webster R., Tee E., Lubbett R., Chennell A., Currie R., Mcluskey D., Tarbotton I., Brambley M.

Main points of discussion

Issues:

• techniques that work and those that don’t –ever changing
• changing roles of extension – at both short and long term
• evaluation process of evaluation
• support, sustenance and quality
• training

Major outcomes: (what have you achieved from this discussion; how can this make a difference; what else do you need to do?)

• Roles of extension always change with time – from specific to broad; more whole farm-family focus
• Outcomes (performance) of extension worker not simple to evaluate – by formal means
• Extension services (programs) are never allowed to run full cycle – or run conveniently to another
• Extension assessment from Management level is never always the same as from the clients (including recognition)
• Extension requires multi-skilled base – need for on-going training and staff development
• Extension needs integrated support from/by fellow workers
• Need for reinforcement of farm family counselling (whole-farm approach)
• There is great value in recouping and sharing different extension experiences and techniques, including from retired agents (net-working)
• Need for quality service and marketing it as a specialised product