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INTRODUCTION
Extension in South Africa finds itself at a crossroads situation, which has been brought about by a multitude of factors. According to Duvel (2002:i) the extension services have been blamed for failing to deliver effectively. Their credibility has been questioned and lacking competence has led to a waning confidence and commitment on the part of the extension workers. Where successes have been achieved, there has usually been an absence of tangible evidence due to a lack of accountability and systematic and regular evaluation (Duvel, 2002:i).
This has been exacerbated by changes within the country as well as changes in the international extension environment, which have led to additional constraints and challenges demanding a reconsideration and adaptation of the extension approach.
The political transformation in 1994 led to a democratisation and restructuring of the extension service and also gave birth to the Limpopo Province which is mainly rural, consisting of five districts engaged in both commercial and subsistence farming.
This study forms part of the bigger study commissioned by the National Department of Agriculture to Duvel, to investigate extension approach in South Africa based on the following specific objectives :
? To exploit the large reservoir of experience, knowledge and viewpoints found in the country.
? To receive critical feedback regarding the different projects implemented in the various provinces designed to seek appropriate alternatives for Extension.
? To discuss the lessons learnt or to be learnt from these projects as well as from any other successes recorded or experienced by the Provinces.
? To become exposed to other alternatives reported to be successful abroad or in the country, with the purpose of widening the perspectives of delegates.
? To gauge the perceptions of delegates regarding the acceptability of different systems and/or specific principles (Duvel 2002).
Duvel’s study took 18 months from 2000 until 2002 and it involved the provincial extension managers from all nine provinces of South Africa. The expressed need for an extension approach in South Africa was an indication all was not well within the extension delivery, of which Limpopo was not an exception. Extension in Limpopo had begun to shift from a commercial farmer focused strategy to one having small scale and subsistence farming as main target group. This shift was signalling the need for developing an appropriate extension approach.
The search for an appropriate extension approach in Limpopo, began in 1995 and in 1998 in which two initiatives were carried out. The first initiative involved a partnership between the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and the German Government through the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ). The name of the project was called Broadening of Agricultural Services and Extension delivery (BASED), whereas the second one was a partnership between Limpopo Department of Agriculture, National Department of Agriculture and the Dutch Government.
The National Department of Agriculture appointed Duvel in 2000 to undertake the national study to develop an appropriate extension approach for South Africa. This current study was motivated by these two initiatives as well as the transformational agenda of the democratic government.
Whereas Düvel’s study had a national and holistic focus, this study was was focused on the Limpopo province allowing for a more in depth investigation, particularly in regard to the variables responsible for the identified variation in perceptions and opinions. The linkage and mutual complementation of the two studies was ensured by the researcher being actively involved in the monitoring and implementation of the two pilot studies namely; BASED and the land reform projects, and also representing the Limpopo province in the national project committee responsible for the planning of the national project.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2 THE RESEACH PROBLEM
CHAPTER 3. THEORETICAL EXPOSITION OF EXTENSION SYSTEMS
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 DEFINITION OF AN APPROACH/SYSTEM/MODEL
3.3 TYPES OF EXTENSION APPROACHES/SYSTEMS
3.4 TOP DOWN DELIVERY SYSTEMS
3.5 PARTICIPATORY ACQUISITION SYSTEMS
3.6 CONTRACT EXTENSION SYSTEM
3.7 RURAL DEVELOPMENT EXTENSION APPROACHES
3.8 EXTENSION APPROACH INITIATIVES PRECEDING THE STUDY
3.9 CONCLUSIONS
CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.2 DEVELOPING THE RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
4.3 SAMPLING PROCEDURE AND SIZE
CHAPTER 5. CURRENT SITUATION OF EXTENSION IN LIMPOPO
5.1 INTRODUCTION
5.2 BACKGROUND OF THE PROVINCE
5.3 EXTENSION PROGRAMMES
5.4 PRINCIPLES OF POLICY AND ITS IMPLICATION IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
5.5 ORGANIZATIONAL CHALLENGES
5.6 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
CHAPTER 6 EXTENSION PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY
6.1 INTRODUCTION
6.2 THE CONCEPT OF EXTENSION.
6.3 AUDIENCE FOCUS
6.4 EXTENSION EFFICIENCY
6.5 COMPETENCY
6.6 MANAGER’S KNOWLEDGE OF EXTENSION
6.7 CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 7 NEEDS BASED DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER 8 INSTITUTIONAL LINKAGES, STRUCTURES AND COMMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN EXTENSION.
CHAPTER 9 PURPOSEFUL OR PROGRAMMED EXTENSION
CHAPTER 10. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
CHAPTER 11 PRIVATISATION AND OUTSOURCING
CHAPTER 12. KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCE SUPPORT.
CHAPTER 13 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
