Towards a national policy on extension for agriculture, forestry and fisheries
Overview of research led policy dialogue and formulation: September 2012
Background
DAFF is embarking on a process of creating a national policy on extension and advisory services, which among other things, will consider alternative extension methodologies, possible alternative institutional arrangements for
providing extension services (including the ‘public/private mix’ in the overall extension system)
the creation of a professional body to help advance the extension profession
(DAFF Strategic Plan 2012-2016: 4)
Background
The Ford Foundation has awarded Phuhlisani a grant to facilitate the development of policy with: The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
(DAFF) The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Provincial Departments of Agriculture Other relevant government departments - DRDLR Key role players in the agriculture, forestry and
fisheries sectors▪ Organised agriculture, fisheries and forestry▪ Private sector, NGOs, CBOs, ▪ Smallholder farmers, fishers, forestry enterprises
Our task
To develop a draft policy framework on extension and advisory services in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), nationally and provincially together with key agriculture, forestry and fisheries stakeholders.
To facilitate policy dialogue between public sector officials, private sector actors, NGOs and organisations representing producers in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors.
The pivotal role of the Provinces
Extension practitioners are based in the provinces
Deep knowledge of local conditions and particular challenges
Link to local agriculture, forestry and fisheries stakeholders for consultative processes
Provincial support for and involvement in the policy development process is essential
Project phasing
Phase 1: Inception
Phase 2: Research led
policy dialogue
Phase 3:Draft policy framework
Phase 4: Comments and amendments
Phase 5:Indicative
implementation plan
Extension status quo
International trendsPolicy options
Reports of F2F and online dialogue on
policy options
Extension and advisory services
policy approved by DEXCO
High level implementation
plan
Stakeholder engagement online
and f2f
Phuhlisani core team
Team member Function and focus area
David Mayson Phuhlisani CEO responsible for Ford grant, policy drafter. David has over 20 years of experience working in the rural sector with resource-poor people. He focuses on livelihoods, local economic development, land reform and joint venture implementation.
Siyabu Manona Phuhlisani project management, policy drafter. Siyabu has 20 years experience and has worked extensively with marginalized rural communities. He is a tenure specialist with a solid understanding of small holder support needs.
Rick de Satgé Phuhlisani researcher, dialogue and communication. Rick has over thirty years experience as a practitioner and researcher in urban and rural development, agriculture, land reform and sustainable livelihoods. He has extensive policy and strategy development experience
Boyce Williams Phuhlisani relationship management and dialogue support. Boyce has extensive experience in participatory research, community and process facilitation. He has over 30 years experience working in rural areas and with small farmers.
Ursula Smith Phuhlisani logistics and grant management. Ursula has 25 years work experience in the City of Cape Town and the private sector and is highly experienced logistics manager
Subject specialists
Team member Function and focus area
Dr Stephen Turner Review of trends in international extensionIndependent consultant at Stephen Turner Ltd, (4 years) formerly senior consultant at Centre for Development Co-operation ,Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (25 years)
Dr Steve Worth The state of agricultural extension and advisory services in SA, policy options and reviewSenior Lecturer UKZN. Teaching, research and community engagement in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resource Management (2005-present) and Community Resource Management (2001-2007)
Assoc Prof Mafa Hara
The state of fisheries extension and advisory services, policy options and reviewPLAAS, C2 rated National Research Foundation (South Africa) researcher, 30 years focusing on rural andcoastal communities in South and Southern Africa.
Dr Moenieba Isaacs The state of fisheries extension and advisory services, policy options and reviewPLAAS, Senior Lecturer and specialist in policy making in the small scale fisheries sector
Jeanette Clarke The state of forestry extension and advisory services, policy options and reviewIndependent consultant with 25 years work experience as a researcher and consultant with a particular emphasis on forestry in the context of poverty reduction and livelihood security, adaptive research and extension.
Promoting research led policy dialogue
Key objective is to engage diverse range of stakeholders in the policy dialogue and formulation process Agriculture Forestry Fisheries
Background research
International trends in extension In depth overview of global extension trends Country case studies on Brazil, China,
Denmark, Ethiopia, India, Kenya and Malawi The state of extension in South Africa
History of the evolution of extension in South Africa
Analysis of post 1994 trends and issues Studies on forestry and fisheries and
current extension functions/needs
Summary discussion paper
Captures key issues from international and local research studies
Identifies policy questions and options for South African policy dialogue
Recognising diverse interests to be accommodated in policy dialogue
Organised agriculture, forestry and fisheries,
co-ops, commodity organisations, input,
equipment and veterinary suppliers, banks,
retailers...
ASAFA, NAFU, USAAA, land reform beneficiaries, small
scale forestry, artisanal fishers, land NGOs, Extension
and DRDLR staff, municipalities...
Land, health and welfare NGOs CBOs, church groups, women’s associations, local farmers associations, micro finance agencies, natural
resource users on the commonsExtension and DRDLR staff, municipalities...
Research institutes
Universities
Agricultural colleges
SETAs
Development agencies
Climate, environment, disaster risk
Online engagement strategy
Dedicated website www.extensionpolicy.za.net.Public front page with article comment function
Registration required to comment on policy options and participate in online discussions
Low cost media campaignsEmails to stakeholdersData base of 1400 individuals and organisationsTwitter alerts, Bulk SMS
Raising the media profile
Dedicated websitewww.extensionpolicy.za.net
Website is regularly updated with news and events relating to the policy development process.It includes public front page:•Extension opinion pieces with comment function•Documents and research outputs which can be downloaded•Links to key resources on extension•Members area for online discussion on key issues relating to extension policy and practice
Twitter stream
Phuhlisani is making use of Twitter to publicise events and draw people to the websiteEncouraging public dialogueTwitter handle @ExtensionPolicy
Provincial policy dialogue workshops
Provincial policy dialogue workshops
Date Province City
Tuesday 2nd October Western Cape, Cape Town
Wednesday 3rd October
Free State Bloemfontein
Thursday 4th October Northern Cape Kimberley
Tuesday 9th October Eastern Cape East London
Wednesday 10th October
KZN Durban
Thursday 11th October
Mpumalanga Nelspruit
Tuesday 16th October Limpopo Polokwane
Wednesday 17th October
Gauteng Pretoria
Thursday 18th October
North West Mafikeng
Policy dialogue workshop agenda
One day workshops will: Provide brief background to the policy development
process Review international trends in extension▪ Discuss lessons for South Africa
Review the state of extension in South Africa and discuss key questions▪ What should be the future role of the public sector extension
service in South Africa?▪ What should be the priority focus of extension in the agriculture,
forestry and fisheries sectors?▪ What role should the private sector, NGOs and producer
organisations play in providing extension and advisory services?▪ What will extension and advisory services look like in 2030?
Documenting provincial policy dialogue workshops
All workshops will be documented Reports will be made available
through the website Workshops will help shape policy
agenda and identify key issues which policy must address
Draft policy development
Based on the research reviews and the policy dialogue workshops Phuhlisani will develop a draft policy
This will circulated for comment from all stakeholders
A policy document which incorporates revisions will be presented to DEXCO for discussion and approval
How the provinces can help Inform and involve all extension staff Encourage them to participate in online and face to
face policy dialogue Select key officials to participate in provincial
workshops Help publicise the process with key provincial
stakeholders Organised agriculture, NGOs, smallholder farmers, land
reform beneficiaries, municipalities etc Assist Phuhlisani to identify local stakeholders and
ensure that provincial workshops are well attended Assign a senior management official to monitor and
support the policy dialogue and development process
Thank you