PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION IN AFRICA: A REVIEW OF SOME ISSUES

Abstract

Agricultural support services such as research and extension significantly influence agricultural productivity. For example, many of the new technologies, inputs, and techniques of production that increase agricultural productivity are developed through agricultural research. Agricultural extension, on the other hand, transfers information from the global knowledge base and from local research to farmers and also ascertains and transmits information to researchers regarding farmers needs, problems and constraints. This paper reviews the problems associated with agricultural research and extension systems in Africa and lists the required changes to public and private sector investment in agricultural research and extension.