Modernizing Extension and Advisory

171 Pages·2016·3.62 MB·English

by  Bohn, Andrea B

Modernizing Extension and Advisory
Services (MEAS) Final Project Report

September 15, 2010 – March 15, 2016
Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services
(MEAS) Final Project Report

September 15, 2010 - March 15, 2016

Submitted to USAID on July 26, 2016

Prepared by:
Dr. Paul E. McNamara, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Director, MEAS

Ms. Andrea B. Bohn, MBA, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Project Manager, MEAS

Dr. Austen Moore, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Research Specialist, MEAS

Dr. Cristina Alvarez-Mingote, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Research Specialist, MEAS

Ms. Amanda J. Childress, MPA, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Senior Project Specialist, MEAS
Leader with Associates Cooperative Agreement No. AID-OAA-L-10-00003
Awarded to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by the US Agency for International
Development pursuant to the authority contained in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
The drafting of this report was made possible by the generous support of the American people through
the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of
the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States government.

GENERAL
Activity Title: Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services Project
USAID Technical Office: EGAT/AG
Federal I.D. (TIN) Number: 7-6000511
DUNS No.: 041544081

SPECIFIC
GLAAS Request ID: REQ-EGAT-10-000003
BBFY/EBFY: 2010/2011
Fund: DV-GFSI
OP: EGAT/AG
Program Area: A18
Distribution: 936-4233
Program Element: A074
Team/Division: EGAT/AG/AT
Benefiting Geo Area: 997
SOC: 4100301
Table of Contents
Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................... iv
Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Project Performance and Key Accomplishments .................................................................................... 10
Main Conclusions from the MEAS Project .............................................................................................. 13
Key Recommendations for Future Extension Strengthening .................................................................. 14
Project Description...................................................................................................................................... 16
Background and Context ......................................................................................................................... 16
Funding and Structure ............................................................................................................................ 16
Approach ................................................................................................................................................. 17
TEACH: Disseminate Modern Approaches to Extension ..................................................................... 17
LEARN: Document Lessons Learned and Good Practices ................................................................... 17
APPLY: Design Modern Extension and Advisory Services Systems ..................................................... 17
Project Activities and Attainment of Results .............................................................................................. 17
Performance Summary ........................................................................................................................... 17
TEACH: Disseminate Modern Approaches to Extension ......................................................................... 18
LEARN: Document Lessons Learned and Good Practices ....................................................................... 24
APPLY: Design Modern Extension and Advisory Service System ............................................................ 31
Project-Level Impacts .............................................................................................................................. 35
Leveraging Extension Expertise in MEAS ............................................................................................ 35
Significance of Project Activities ................................................................................................................. 40
Impacting the Macro, Meso, and Micro Levels of Extension .................................................................. 40
Generating Models for Effective Meso-Level Extension Strengthening ............................................. 40
Bridging Levels of Extension Systems ................................................................................................. 41
Reaching Farmers with Impactful Extension Services ............................................................................ 42
Developing Capacity and Strengthening Organizations ...................................................................... 42
Utilizing Multi-Scaled Approach to Engage Farmers........................................................................... 43
Fostering Participatory Extension and Farmer Involvement .............................................................. 43
Advancing Partnerships, Collaboration, and Communities of Practice .................................................. 44
Learning, Creating Knowledge, and Generating Evidence ...................................................................... 44
Sharing Knowledge ................................................................................................................................. 46
Developing and Leveraging Support for Extension ................................................................................. 47
Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................................................... 48
Conclusions from the MEAS Project ....................................................................................................... 48
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Recommendations for Future Extension Strengthening ........................................................................ 50
Annex 1: MEAS’ Geographic Reach ............................................................................................................. 53
Annex 2: Performance Management Plan (with details) ............................................................................ 54
MEAS Project Impact Indicators: LOP Targets and Actual Achievements .............................................. 54
Indicator 1.1: Detailed Performance....................................................................................................... 56
Indicator 1.2a: Detailed Performance ..................................................................................................... 59
Indicator 1.2b: Detailed Performance .................................................................................................... 63
Indicator 1.3: Detailed Performance....................................................................................................... 74
Indicators 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6: Detailed Performance ................................................................................ 77
Indicator 1.7: Detailed Performance....................................................................................................... 84
Indicator 1.8: Detailed Performance....................................................................................................... 86
Indicator 2.1: Detailed Performance....................................................................................................... 87
Indicator 2.2: Detailed Performance....................................................................................................... 88
Indicator 2.3: Detailed Performance....................................................................................................... 89
Indicator 2.4: Detailed Performance....................................................................................................... 92
Indicator 2.5: Detailed Performance....................................................................................................... 94
Indicator 2.6: Detailed Performance....................................................................................................... 97
Indicator 2.7: Detailed Performance..................................................................................................... 102
Indicator 3.1: Detailed Performance..................................................................................................... 103
Indicator 3.2: Detailed Performance..................................................................................................... 105
Indicator 3.3: Detailed Performance..................................................................................................... 108
Indicator 3.4: Detailed Performance..................................................................................................... 110
Indicator 4.1: Detailed Performance..................................................................................................... 112
Indicator 4.2: Detailed Performance..................................................................................................... 113
Indicator 4.3: Detailed Performance..................................................................................................... 115
Annex 3: Performance Indicator Reference Sheets .................................................................................. 117
Indicator 1.1: Training Modules Developed ......................................................................................... 117
Indicator 1.2a: Training Workshops Conducted .................................................................................. 119
Indicator 1.2b: Seminars Presented ...................................................................................................... 121
Indicator 1.3: Technical Notes/Good Practice Papers Prepared .......................................................... 123
Indicator 1.4: Extension Field Staff Trained .......................................................................................... 125
Indicator 1.5: Development Professionals (from USAID and Development Partners) Trained ............ 127
Indicator 1.6: Policy Makers (and Senior Government Officials) Trained ............................................ 129
Indicator 1.7: Programs/Institutions using MEAS Training Modules and Materials............................. 131
Indicator 1.8: Specialists Registered in Worldwide Extension Network ............................................... 133
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Indicator 2.1: Good Practice – Best Fit Synthesis Review Completed .................................................. 135
Indicator 2.2: Good Practice – Best Fit Team Workshop Completed ................................................... 137
Indicator 2.3: Case Studies Completed ................................................................................................. 139
Indicator 2.4: Evaluations of Extension Programs/Practices Completed ............................................. 141
Indicator 2.5: Pilot Action Research Projects Completed ..................................................................... 143
Indicator 2.6: Academic Papers Published ........................................................................................... 145
Indicator 2.7: New Extension Strategies/Approaches/Methods Defined ........................................... 147
Indicator 3.1: Country Extension Systems Assessed ............................................................................. 149
Indicator 3.2: Private Enterprises and Client Organizations receiving MEAS Assistance .................... 151
Indicator 3.3: Good Practice Reforms incorporated into Private Sector Extension Services ............. 153
Indicator 3.4: Good Practice Reforms incorporated into Public Sector Extension Programs .............. 155
Indicator 4.1: Specialists Qualified and Active in implementing MEAS Activities............................... 157
Indicator 4.2: Rural Clients receiving Improved Services from Extension Systems ............................ 159
Indicator 4.3: Linkages Established between EAS Providers, Thought Leaders, and US Institutions . 161
Indicator 5.1: Life-of-Project Work Plan and PMP Developed ............................................................ 163
Indicator 5.2: Annual Reports Completed ........................................................................................... 165
Indicator 5.3: Project Advisory Committee Meetings Held ................................................................ 167

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Abbreviations
AELA Agro-Enterprise Learning Alliance
AESA Agricultural Extension Support Activity
AFAAS African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services
AGRA Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa
AOR Agreement Officer Representative
APLU Association of Public Land Grant Universities
BFR Good Practice/Best Fit Review
BFS Bureau of Food Security within USAID
BIID Bangladesh Institute for ICT in Development
CAADP Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program
CKW Community Knowledge Worker
CP Cultural Practice LLC
CRS Catholic Relief Services
DAM Dhaka Ahsania Mission Bangladesh
EADD East Africa Dairy Development
EAS Extension and Advisory Services
ECHO Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization
EWB Engineers Without Borders
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FAST Farmer Advisory Services Tajikistan
FBOs Farmer Based Organizations
FNC Federacion Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia
FTF Feed the Future
FTFMS Feed the Future Monitoring System
FY Fiscal Year (of the US Government, October 1 to September 30)
GFRAS Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services
GLEE Global Learning and Evidence Exchange
ICRAF World Agroforestry Center
ICT Information and Communications Technology
IFPRI International Food Policy Research Institute
INGENAES Integrating Gender and Nutrition within Agricultural Extension Services
LOE Level of Effort
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LOP Life of Project
MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries
MEAS Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services
MOA Ministry of Agriculture
MOFA Ministry of Food and Agriculture
MSU Michigan State University
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
NCAT North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
NIFA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
NRM Natural Resource Management
PAC Project Advisory Committee
PI Principal Investigator
PIRS Performance Indicator Reference Sheets
PMP Performance Managements Plan
PMU Project Management Unit
RCT Randomized Controlled Trial
RELASER Latin American Network for Rural Extension Services
SAA Sasakawa Africa Association
SAFE Sasakawa Africa Fund for Extension Education
SANE Strengthening Agricultural and Nutrition Extension
SEAS Strengthening Extension and Advisory Services
SFRCs Small Farmer Resource Centers
SNEDIP Savelugu/Nanton Extension Delivery Improvement Project
SPRING Strengthening Partnerships, Results, and Innovations in Nutrition Globally
TAMU Texas A&M University
UC Davis University of California at Davis
UF University of Florida
UIUC University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
USAID United States Agency for International Development

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Acknowledgements
The Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services (MEAS) project involved a large team and many
different institutions, partners, and individuals. The project would not have been able to make such
progress without the contributions and support of many friends and allies of agricultural extension
services around the world. Their continued collaboration and partnership made it possible to improve
extension services for millions of smallholder farmers and to demonstrate how innovative approaches
can lead to strengthened, durable, and sustainable extension services in the development context.
The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau of Food Security (BFS)
provided not only the funding support, but also excellent guidance throughout the MEAS project. Its
three Agreement Officer Representatives (AORs) – Gary Alex, Suzanne Poland, and John Peters – were
supportive and constructive in helping MEAS meet its objectives and were crucial advocates for MEAS
and agricultural extension within USAID. Other individuals within the BFS and in USAID Missions around
the globe – too many to name here – assisted and joined project efforts to improve extension services
that positively impacted smallholder farmers.
In addition, the MEAS Project Advisory Committee (PAC) was a very useful source of insights and
feedback in project work. PAC members included AORs (Gary Alex, Suzanne Poland, and John Peters),
David Nielson (World Bank), Jeannie Harvey (USAID BFS Gender Adviser), Kristin Davis (IFPRI/GFRAS),
Paul Guenette (ACDI/VOCA), and Michael McGirr (USAID/National Institute of Food and Agriculture).
The contributions of these individuals were sincerely appreciated.
As a global project with presence in many countries, MEAS engaged a large number of partners and
collaborators both in the United States and Europe as well as in the countries of focus in the developing
world. Within our consortium of partners, Dr. Brent Simpson at Michigan State University was
instrumental in assisting with the leadership of the project as Deputy Director. Dr. Simpson also led a
number of significant MEAS engagements in Malawi, Bihar India, Mali, and in the area of “lead farmers”,
among other activities. Additional thanks go to colleagues at Michigan State University, the University of
Florida, the University of California at Davis, North Carolina A&M University, and Cornell University.
The project’s non-governmental organization (NGO) and consulting firm partners also made an excellent
contribution to the work of MEAS. The MEAS project especially appreciates its partnership with Catholic
Relief Services (CRS), Cultural Practice LLC, and Winrock International. Colleagues at the International
Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS), and the
African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), as well as other regional extension networks,
were also great collaborators who helped support MEAS efforts in extension strengthening on a global
scale.
At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), special thanks go to Dr. Burt Swanson who was
essential in writing the project proposal and in the initial phase of the MEAS work. Dr. Swanson was
deeply missed when his health no longer permitted him to be part of the MEAS team, yet his energy,
commitment to extension and extension workers, and tireless efforts on behalf of smallholder farmers
served as motivation for the project’s efforts.
Thanks also go to Project Director, Dr. Paul McNamara, for his adept leadership of MEAS and tireless
efforts to engage collaborators, design impactful engagements and learning opportunities, and sincere
dedication to extension strengthening. MEAS also recognizes the significant contributions of Andrea
Bohn, who served as the MEAS manager prior to becoming the Associate Director of the Integrating
Gender and Nutrition within Agricultural Extension Services (INGENAES) project. Other UIUC staff and
faculty who played a key role in the MEAS project include: Ben Mueller, Dr. Austen Moore, Dr. Joyous
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Tata, Dr. Cristina Alvarez-Mingote, Dr. Don van Atta, Dr. Vickie Sigman, Dr. Gail Summerfield, Katy Heinz,
Maria Jones, Cortney Eisenmann, and Amanda J. Childress. Graduate students Michael Culbertson and
Festus Amadu were also instrumental in implementing MEAS work.
Lastly, the MEAS project team, consortium of partners, and network of dedicated collaborators is
sincerely appreciative for the renewed focus on extension in development and increased recognition of
the benefits of effective extension services to smallholder farmers. Within the past five years, the MEAS
project has seen and contributed to these positive developments, and it has been heartening to have
been a part of sharpening the focus and impact of extension in development.

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