Date post: | 13-Apr-2017 |
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Strengthening Agricultural and Nutrition Extension
From Theory to Practice: DAESS Implementation- Lessons from District
Experiences Prepared and presented at MaFAAS Extension Week
25th -29th July,2016, Malawi Institute of Management
Contact: Chief of [email protected], 0997-646-650
Presentation outline
1. Introduction-the Project 2. District engagement 3. Approach and findings4. Lessons learnt from district engagements5. Way forward 6. Conclusion
Strengthening Agricultural and Nutrition Extension Project
One of USAID projects under the Sustainable Economic Growth
Focusing on Systems Strengthening for Sustainability
Reason: Pluralism in Extension is not = Systems approach to support operations
•
5 Year USAID award to University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (Nov 2015-Nov 2020)
Partners: DAES-as key partner, MSU and CRS
Purpose: strengthen capacity of DAES to mobilize and work with stakeholders in agricultural and nutrition extension to operate in coordinated manner using DAESS
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3 Project Key Result Areas 1. Policy environment and organizational
strategies2. Coordination and capacity building 3. Extension and research linkages Project Approach3-Cs- Coordination, Collaboration and Colocation
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Location:USAID Feed the Future’s Zone of Influence (ZoI)
1. Mchinji 2. Lilongwe Rural3. Dedza4. Ntcheu5. Mangochi6. Balaka7. Machinga8. Blantyre Rural9. Chikwawa10. Nsanje
Understanding DAESS-Approach Project briefings: National, ADD, District
Inception workshops -2o Participants - DADO, EMOs, FNOs, NSA representatives
District capacity Planning -5Workshops o Participants - DADO, EMOs, FNOs, Agribusiness, Land
resources, Crops
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Methodology Presentations Group exercise SWOT analysis Key Areas of focuso Stakeholder snapshotso Role clarification and analysiso Analysis of the DAESS guideo District capacity strengthening Plans development
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Key Findings o Dissemination of policy and DAESS guide
had limitations-AEDC and AEDOs o DAESS structures reported established
o Pluralism exists in all districts – evidence from Venn diagrams produced in wshops
o Membership to structures vary- elected and represented
o Ownership:DAESS perceived for DAES
LESSONS FROM DISTRICTS
Lessons – Structures established
o Establishment varies: only ASP are reported established as per guidelines
o Adaptation to the DAESS structure to include -GACs and VACs
Lessons – Structures o Undocumented roles and responsibilities
of created structures –GAC/VACo Increased workload for FLS to backstop
added structures o Conflicts with state structures due of
power relations
Lessons – Membership variationo Inconsistent with contents of guidelineso Eg: DAECCs- membership
• Inclusive membership/ voluntary attendance vs representation by others
• No accountability mechanism to constituents
Lessons – lack of standard procedures for conducting business
o Mechanism for setting meeting agenda unclear-whose responsibility
o Increased absenteeism and uninformed delegated members hampers progress
o Swapping roles eg AEDC –chairing ASP and not secretary as in guide
Lesson- Functionality of committeeso Functionality of committees challenged as
meetings are dependent on financial incentives to members
o Poor representation by commercial farmers, buyers, processors, MFI,
• Non of involvement research, other district sms’s
Awareness/ benefits for resources invested eg time?
Lessons –demand driven extension
o Narrow interpretation - affecting farmers’ perception of pluralistic extension
• Pluralism =begging or culture of handouts
AND NOT• Producing according to consumer/market
needs and seeking information on the how
Lessons –dilemma of the extension
o Reforms in extension not reflected in the roles and responsibilities of extension personnel –still top down
o Increased stakeholders- affect extension efficiency and effectiveness-due to disjointed approaches
Opportunities to strengthen DAESS o Large numbers of stakeholders beyond the
sectoro Potential to draw resources –financial and
technical- from stakeholders as done in field days o Reviewed extension policy to reflect changes o Conducive environment for change with the
public sector reform agenda in progress
Opportunities to strengthen DAESS o Large volumes of extension materials to be
adapted for district level harmonizationo DAESS fits within the new norm for extension
and advisory service- decentralization and pluralism
o DAESS platforms for individual/ collective support to farmers’ extension needs
Way-forward Support innovation in extension and advisory services to demonstrate paradigm shifts for DAESS strengthening.o Support development and implementation of
district specific capacity strengthening planso Explore integration/ inclusiveness of DAESS to
other existing committees eg. Nutrition, livestocko Promote action research and learning o Support innovative thinkers for change in
extension
Extension and advisory services needs to continuously innovate in order to remain relevant and responsive to consumer needs for the advancement of agriculture in Malawi THANK YOU !!