Extension models in sustainable agriculture adoption in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa
Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, we rigorously analysed the characteristics, strengths, and limitations of various extension models, including Fee-for-Service, Farmer Field Schools, Training and Visit, and Farmer-to-Farmer approaches...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Academy of Science of South Africa
2025-08-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Science |
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| Online Access: | https://sajs.co.za/article/view/20578 |
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| author | Estone Jiji Habanyati Sivaraj Paramasivam |
| author_facet | Estone Jiji Habanyati Sivaraj Paramasivam |
| author_sort | Estone Jiji Habanyati |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, we rigorously analysed the characteristics, strengths, and limitations of various extension models, including Fee-for-Service, Farmer Field Schools, Training and Visit, and Farmer-to-Farmer approaches. This review identifies persistent barriers to the widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, such as limited access to resources, inadequate training, and the lack of tailored solutions for diverse farming contexts, which stem from the inherent limitations of conventional agricultural extension models. We also discuss a hybrid approach that integrates conventional and emerging participatory, demand-driven models, customised for smallholder farmers’ unique needs and constraints. This integrative strategy is suggested to enhance the dissemination and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, thereby contributing to sustainable development and food security in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. We emphasise the need to leverage the complementary strengths of diverse extension models to address existing challenges and drive effective policy interventions.
Significance:
• Our findings will assist policymakers and practitioners to prioritise the development of agricultural extension strategies that are economically viable and tailored to the specific needs and constraints of smallholder farmers.
• We aim to help foster greater engagement from policymakers, enhance communication channels, and implement robust feedback mechanisms to ensure that agricultural extension services are responsive and adaptable.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-91b5ce45c0444d24b000b1c854a7fb14 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-7489 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Academy of Science of South Africa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-91b5ce45c0444d24b000b1c854a7fb142025-08-20T04:02:27ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892025-08-011217/810.17159/sajs.2025/20578Extension models in sustainable agriculture adoption in South Asia and sub-Saharan AfricaEstone Jiji Habanyati0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1403-8865Sivaraj Paramasivam1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6134-5868Amrita School for Sustainable Futures, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, IndiaAmrita School of Agricultural Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, India Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, we rigorously analysed the characteristics, strengths, and limitations of various extension models, including Fee-for-Service, Farmer Field Schools, Training and Visit, and Farmer-to-Farmer approaches. This review identifies persistent barriers to the widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, such as limited access to resources, inadequate training, and the lack of tailored solutions for diverse farming contexts, which stem from the inherent limitations of conventional agricultural extension models. We also discuss a hybrid approach that integrates conventional and emerging participatory, demand-driven models, customised for smallholder farmers’ unique needs and constraints. This integrative strategy is suggested to enhance the dissemination and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, thereby contributing to sustainable development and food security in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. We emphasise the need to leverage the complementary strengths of diverse extension models to address existing challenges and drive effective policy interventions. Significance: • Our findings will assist policymakers and practitioners to prioritise the development of agricultural extension strategies that are economically viable and tailored to the specific needs and constraints of smallholder farmers. • We aim to help foster greater engagement from policymakers, enhance communication channels, and implement robust feedback mechanisms to ensure that agricultural extension services are responsive and adaptable. https://sajs.co.za/article/view/20578adoptiondiffusioninnovationpublic extension systemtransfer of technology |
| spellingShingle | Estone Jiji Habanyati Sivaraj Paramasivam Extension models in sustainable agriculture adoption in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa South African Journal of Science adoption diffusion innovation public extension system transfer of technology |
| title | Extension models in sustainable agriculture adoption in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_full | Extension models in sustainable agriculture adoption in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_fullStr | Extension models in sustainable agriculture adoption in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Extension models in sustainable agriculture adoption in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_short | Extension models in sustainable agriculture adoption in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa |
| title_sort | extension models in sustainable agriculture adoption in south asia and sub saharan africa |
| topic | adoption diffusion innovation public extension system transfer of technology |
| url | https://sajs.co.za/article/view/20578 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT estonejijihabanyati extensionmodelsinsustainableagricultureadoptioninsouthasiaandsubsaharanafrica AT sivarajparamasivam extensionmodelsinsustainableagricultureadoptioninsouthasiaandsubsaharanafrica |