Indicators for Evaluating the Private Enterprises Providing Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PHD. Student , Agricultural Extension, University of Tehran

2 Professor of Agricultural Extension and Education , University of Tehran

3 Professor, Agricultural Extension and Education , University of Tehran

4 College of agricultural economics and development, Department of agricultural extension and education

Abstract

Effective evaluation has been always a serious and problematic issue in agricultural extension system. Although there have been some erratic efforts to develop indicators to assessing the public extension services, there is not a contextualized study to identify appropriate indicators to measuring the status of private extension enterprises, if any. In this regard, the main purpose of this study was to develop the relevant and situation-specific indicators which can be used for assessing the status and performance of private enterprises are engaged in agricultural extension and advisory delivery system. A mixed method research design was conducted, and key informant were purposively selected in both phases. Qualitative data were gathered by using semi-structured interviews and analyzed according to the fundamental assumptions of grounded theory. In contrast, quantitative data were collected in a survey using a researcher-made questionnaire and compared by Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). According to the results, 90 indicators were developed and classified into nine distinctive categories. In terms of their importance and priority, acquired indicators’ categories were nominated: services’ profitability, market efficiency, institutional development, accountability, professional expertise, enterprises’ resources, professional interactions, entrepreneurial innovation and coverage level, respectively. These indicators can be used by policy-makers of agricultural services system and private enterprises in extension evaluation and adjustment projects in a contextualized manner. 

Keywords


  1. ASCU. (2012). National Agricultural Sector Extension Policy (NASEP). Agricultural Sector Coordination Unit. Government of Kenya. June 2012. Nairobi, Kenya.
  2. Babu, S. C., Huang, J., Venkatesh, P. and Zhang, Y. (2015). A Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Research and Extension Reforms in China and India. China Agricultural Economic Review. 7(4), 541 – 572.
  3. Benson, A. and Jafry, T. (2013). The State of Agricultural Extension: An Overview and New Caveats for the Future. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension. 19(2), 381-393.
  4. Birner, R., Davis, K., Pender, J., Nkonya, E., Anandajayasekeram, P., Ekboir, J., Mbabu, A., Spielman, D. J., Horna, D., Benin, S. and Cohen, M. (2006). From "Best Practice" to "Best Fit" a Framework for Analyzing Pluralistic Agricultural Advisory Services Worldwide. International Food Policy Research Institute. Washington, DC.
  5. Chipeta, S., Christoplos, I. & Katz, E. (2008). Common Framework on Market-Oriented Agricultural Advisory Services. Neuchâtel, Switzerland: Neuchâtel Group. First edition. March 2008.
  6. Christoplos, I. (2012). Poverty, Pluralism and Extension Practice. International Institute for Environment and Development (Iied). Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods Programme. No. 64.
  7. Davis, K. & Heemskerk, W. (2012). Investment in Extension and Advisory Services as Part of Agricultural Innovation Systems. Agricultural Innovation Systems: An Investment Sourcebook. Washington, DC: The World Bank. Pp. 179-193.
  8. Dart, J., Petheramm, R. J. and Straw, W. (1998). Forms of Evaluation for Agricultural Extension. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. RIRDC Publication. No. 98/136.
  9. GFRAS. (2012). Building Knowledge Systems in Agriculture Five Key Areas for Mobilising the Potential of Extension and Advisory. Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services. Switzerland.

10. Chowa, C., Garforth, C. and Cardey, S. (2013). Farmer Experience of Pluralistic Agricultural Extension, Malawi. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension. 19 (2), 147-166.

11. Gemo, H. R., Stevens, J. B. and Chilonda, P. (2013). The Role of a Pluralistic Extension System in Enhancing Agriculture Productivity in Mozambique. South African Journal of Agricultural Extension. 41(1), 59-75.

12. Hayati, D., Ranjbar, Z. and Karami, E. (2010). Measuring Agricultural Sustainability. In: Lichtfouse, E. (Eds.), Biodiversity, Biofuels, Agroforestry and Conservation Agriculture. Volume 5 of the Series Sustainable Agriculture Reviews. Pp 73-100.

13. Hellin, J. (2012). Agricultural Extension, Collective Action and Innovation Systems: Lessons on Network Brokering from Peru and Mexico. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 18(2), 141-159.

14. Kalateh Rahmani, S. M. & Zereei, M. (2005). The Role of Association in Private Extension Development. Jihad Monthly Magazine. Vol. 262, 21-37.

15. Kaur, J., Shehrawat, P. S., Quadri, J. V. (2014). Attitude of Farmers towards Privatization of Agricultural Extension Services. Research Journal of Agricultural Science Digest, 34(2), 81-86.

16. Kidd, A. D., Lamers, J. P. A., Ficarelli, P. P. and Hoffmann, V. (2000). Privatizing Agricultural Extension: Caveat Emptor. Journal of Rural Studies, 16, 95-102.

17. Kilelu, W. C., Klerkx, L. and Leeuwis, C. (2013). Unravelling the Role of Innovation Platform in Supporting Co-evaluation of Innovation: Contribution and Tensions in a Smallholder Dairy Development Program. Journal of Agriculture Systems. 118, 65-77.

18. Labarthe, P. & Laurent, C. (2013). Privatization of Agricultural Extension Services in the EU: Towards a Lack of Adequate Knowledge for Small-scale Farms? Journal of Food Policy, 38, 240–252.

19. Hosseini, S. M. (1997). Beyond Conventional Frontiers: Emerging Grounds for Public-Private Cooperation in Agricultural Extension. Proceeding of the 2nd Australasia Pacific Extension Conference. Managing Change Building Knowledge and Skills. 18 to 21 November, Albury, New South Wales. 

20. Hosseini, S. M., Alimirzaei, E., Hejazi, Y. and Movahed Mohammadi, H. (2016) The Network Relationships among Multiple Service Providers in Agricultural Extension Program Planning in Iran. International Journal of Research in Agricultural Sciences. 3(4), 2348- 3997.

21. Hosseini, S. M. & Sharifzadeh, A. (2008). Scenarios for Reforming Agricultural Extension. Searching for New Paradigm. Tehran: Agricultural Education Publication.  (In Farsi)

22. Hosseinzadeh Bahreini, M. H. & Maleksadati, S. (2012). Institutional Barriers of Investment on Iranian Enterprises. Journal of Trade Research, 59, 25-55.

23. Mengal, A. A. (2014). Historical Overview of Agricultural Extension Services in Pakistan. The Macro Theme Review. A Multidisciplinary. Journal of Global Macro Trends, 3(8), 23-36.

24. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2011). Monitoring and Evaluation for Adaptation: Lessons from Development Cooperation Agencies. Working Papers. No. 38. OECD, Paris.

25. Okorley, E. L., Gray, D. and Reid, J. (2010). Towards A Cross-Sector Pluralistic Agricultural Extension System in A Decentralized Policy Context: A Ghanaian Case Study. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 12(4), 1-10.

26. Onyenkazi, H. A. & Gana, A. K. (2009). Comparative Assessment of Public and Private Extension Programmes in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State of Nigeria. African Journal of Gneral Agriculture, 5(2), 79-83.

27. Pretty, J. N. (1995). Regenerating Agriculture: Policies and Practice for Sustainability and Self-reliance. The Joseph Henry Press book. International Institute for Environment and Development, London.

28. Pritchett, J., Fulton, J. and Hine, S. (2012). Keys to Successful Programming: Incentives in Multi-Institutional Partnerships. Journal of Extension. 50(1), 1-6.

29. Rasouliazar1, S. Hosseini, S. M., Farajallah Hosseini, S. J. and Mirdamadi, S. M. (2011). The Investigation Perception of Agricultural Extension Agents about Affective Factors on Effectiveness of Agricultural Advisory Services Companies in Iran. Journal of American Science. 7(2), 445-451.

30. Rezaei , R., Gholifar, E., Safa, L. and Kazemi, M. (2013). Investigating the Barriers of Agricultural Engineering and Technical Advisory Services’ Companies in Zanjan Province. Journal of Entrepreneurship Development. 4(14), 27-46.

31. Rezvanfar, A. & Alimirzaei, E. (2014). The Importance of Technology Audit in Agricultural Extension System in Iran. Proceedings ofFirst International Conference of the APIRAS & Fifth Congress of Extension and Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management. 2-4 September. Iran: Zanjan.

32. Rivera, W. M. & Sulaiman, V. R. (2009). Extension: Object of Reform, Engine for Innovation. Outlook on Agriculture, 38(3), 267-273.

33. Samy M. M., Swanson, B. E. and Sofranko, A. (2003). Structural Change in Agriculture: Privatization of Information and the Role of Extension. AIAEE 2003. Proceedings of the 19th Annual Conference. Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.

34. Sharifzadeh, A., Arabioun, A. and Abdollahzadeh, GH. (2009). Identifying and Prioritizing the Support Needs of Agro-enterprises’ Development in Golestan Province. Journal of Entrepreneurship Development, 3(10), 71-91.

35. Sseguya, H., Mazur, R., Abbott, E. and Matsiko, F. (2012). Information and Communication for Rural Innovation and Development: Context, Quality and Priorities in Southeast Uganda. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension. 18(1), 55-70.

36. Swanson, B. E. (2008). Global Review of Good Agricultural Extension & Advisory Services Practices. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome. 2008. Retrieved Dec 05 2008 from http:// www.fao.org.   

37. Swanson, B. E., & Samy, M. M. (2002). Developing an Extension Partnership among Public, Private and Non-Governmental Organizations. Journal of International Agricultural Extension and Education, 9 (01), 5-10.

38. Tayebnia, A. & Mohammadi, H. (2005). The Comparison of Investment Efficiency on Iranian Public and Private Sectors, an Approach to Privatization. Journal of Planning and Budgeting, 87, 3-35.

Waddington, H., Snilstveit, B., White, H. and Anderson, J. (2010). The Impact of Agricultural Extension Services. International Initiative for Impact Evaluation. 3ie Synthetic Reviews. Pp 1-23.