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