Access to agricultural services

The following list of electronic resources provides rapid access to key references on the main topics of the dossier:

•  Agricultural advisory services -  Background paper for the World development Report 2008 
  Anderson, J.R. (2007)
  There is clearly much yet to be done in bringing needed extension services to the poor around the world.

•  Changing incentives for agricultural extension - A review of privatized extension in practice 
  Chapman, R.; R. Tripp (2003)
  An email discussion on privatised extension is summarised. It illustrates a range of experience regarding the adequacy of private providers, the ability of farmers to take advantage of a privatised system, and the capacity of governments to manage the transition.

•  Mobilizing the potential of rural and agricultural extension 
  Christoplos, I. (2010)
  Extension is defined here as systems that should facilitate the access of farmers, their organizations and other market actors to knowledge, information and technologies; facilitate their interaction with partners in research, education, agri-business, and other relevant institutions; and assist them to develop their own technical, organizational and management skills and practices.

•  Impact of farmer field schools on agricultural productivity and poverty in East Africa 
  Davis, K. et al. (2010)
  Farmer field schools (FFS) are a popular education and extension approach worldwide. The study provides evidence on participation in FFS and the effects of FFS on various outcomes.

•  Inventory of innovative farmer advisory services using ICTs 
  Gakuru, M.; Winters, K.; Stepman, F. (2009)
  This inventory of farmer advisory services using ICT (Information & Communication Technology) covers farmer advisory services or systems, currently in design, in existence or recently completed in Africa.

•  Innovations in rural and agriculture finance
  IFPRI - International Food Policy Research Institute (2010)
  Most rural households lack access to reliable and affordable finance for agriculture and other livelihood activities. New and innovative institutions are required to reach small farmers.

•  Gender and governance in agricultural extension services: insights from India, Ghana, and Ethiopia
  Madhvani, S.; E. Pehu; R. Birner (2010)
  This note aims to generate policy-relevant knowledge on strategies for improving agricultural service delivery, with a focus on providing more equitable access to these services, especially for women.

•  Animal health service delivery systems in Kenya's marginal areas under market liberalization: a case for community-based animal health workers 
  Mugunieri, L.G.; J.M. Omiti; P. Irungu (2002)
  A case study was conducted in Makueni, Kenya, to generate information that would guide policy debate about integrating community-based animal health workers into formal health delivery systems.

•  Decentralization and access to agricultural extension services in Kenya 
  Nambiro, E.; J. Omiti; L. Mugunieri (2005)
  The authors explore the effect of decentralization of agricultural extension on access, accountability and empowerment, and efficiency of delivering services to farmers.

•  Access to agricultural services - Background paper for the IFAD Rural Poverty Report 2010 
  Nederlof, E.S.; B. Wennink; W. Heemskerk (2008)
  A background paper for the identification of key messages that guide access to services of the rural poor.

•  Extension reform for rural development
  Rivera, W.M. and Alex, G. (2004) [Vol. 1-5: Case studies of international initiatives. World Bank and USAID, Washington, D.C.]
  Five volumes are presented: (1) Decentralized Systems; ( 2) Privatization of Extension Systems; (3) Demand-Driven Approaches to Agriculture Extension; (4) Revitalization within Public Sector Services; (5) National Strategy and Reform Process.

•  Assessing micro-finance services in agricultural sector development: A case study of semi-formal financial institutions in Tanzania 
  Rweyemamu, D.C.; M.P. Kimaro; O.M. Urassa (2003)
  Specific constraints facing institutions delivering credit to smallholder farmers, and problems encountered by the farmers in the procurement and use of such credit, are highlighted.

•  Strengthening agricultural extension and advisory systems: procedures for assessing, transforming, and evaluating extension systems 
  Swanson, B.E. & R. Rajalahti (2010)
  The focus of this book is primarily on the technical knowledge, management skills, and information services that small-scale farm households will need to improve their livelihoods.

•  Access of the poor to agricultural services: the role of farmers’ organizations in social inclusion 
  Wennink, B.; E.S. Nederlof; W. Heemskerk (2007)
  The bulletin focuses on the role of rural producers' organizations in enhancing the poorest farmers' access to agricultural advisory services such as research, training, advice and extension.

•  Agriculture investment sourcebook, Module 2 - Investments in agricultural science and technology
  World Bank (2006)
  The module summarizes principles and good practice for investments in agricultural S&T.

•  Agriculture investment sourcebook, Module 3 - Investments in agricultural extension and information services
  World Bank (2006)
  The module summarizes principles and good practice for investments in building effective and sustainable extension systems. 

Publications

• Bulletin 376 - Access of the poor to agricultural services
• Bulletin 380 - Outsourcing agricultural advisory services