Author(s):
Murari Suvedi, Paul McNamara .
Institution(s):
MSU, UIUC .
Date Published:
April 1, 2012 .
MEAS (Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services), a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project, conducted a scoping mission to examine the pluralistic extension system in Nepal and to develop recommendations for strengthening its extension system. The field assessment work occurred December 1-21, 2011, and included in-depth interviews with Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) staff members, Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), faculty members at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) of Tribhuvan University, international and national non-governmental organization (NGO) directors, farmer cooperatives, leader farmers, freelance agricultural development professionals, and private sector representatives. The team reviewed relevant publications and reports.
The MEAS team visited farms, the District Agriculture Development Office, District Livestock Services Office, regional research and training centers, agricultural stations, as well as universities and training centers. In addition, the team conducted an online survey with mid-career and senior agricultural development professionals to identify areas needing improvements within the current extension service in Nepal.
The purpose of the scoping mission was to identify key issues within the pluralistic extension system in Nepal that will need to be addressed to develop a sustainable, farmer-led, and market-driven system of extension and advisory services. This report summarizes the findings based on literature review, personal interviews, observations, and feedback from seminar presentations followed by discussion. The scoping mission team has recommended specific actions for consideration.