The "New Extensionist" in the Context of West and Central Africa:
Assessment of Capacity Development Needs at Individual, Organisation and Policy level

Capacity Development Needs for Improving Performances of Agricultural Advisory in WCA

The "New Extensionist" (NE) is a concept and position paper developed by the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) in response to new challenges and opportunities facing the Agricultural Advisory Services. It highlights the major needs in terms of profiles and skills of advisers in the current context. It highlights adjusments necessary at organizational, institutional and policy environment levels to ensure for the improvement of the performance of agricultural advisory services.

As part of its mission, RESCAR-AOC intends to operationalize the New Extensionist concept in West and Central Africa, and using it as a framework to assess the current situation, identify capacity development needs and encourage exchanges and learning. Information gathered will also be used to develop a capacity development strategy including among other Regional Training of Trainers session in key priority modules of the New Extensionist Learning Kit (NELK).

In this section of the form, you are kindly requested to identify: (i) the highest priority modules of the NELK for the West and Central African context; (ii) capacity development areas for providers of agricultural advisory services; and (iii) factors that should be addressed to make the enabling environment more conducive. Results of this survey will be refined with targeted surveys, case-studies and focus groups discussions with representatives of different categories of actors involved.

All RESCAR-AOC Members and all interested person who would like to join the Network are kindly requested to also fill pages 2 and 3 of the current form.

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* 1. Do you know the position paper entitled "The New Extensionist" developed by GFRAS

Yes

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* 2. Do you know the New Extensionist Learning Kit (NELK)

Yes

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* 3. Which of the following modules of the New Extensionist Learning Kit are the most important in the context of West and Central Africa?

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* 4. Are there other functional capacities that agricultural advisers in West and Central Africa need to acquire to be more efficient? If yes, please list those capacities.

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* 5. From the following nine areas of capacity development (DRC) at organizational level, kindly tick those that are of high priority for improving the performance of agricultural advisory services providers in West and Central Africa

DRC1. Strategic Management (leadership, development of a coherent and relevant vision, change management, responsiveness, advocacy, policy relations)

DRC2. Structuring and organization (hierarchical organization, flexibility and effectiveness of relations between the different units)

DRC3. Relations (clear definition of roles and responsibilities, relationships between different internal units of the organization and with other organizations of the innovation system, existence of frameworks and frequent opportunities for exchanges and learning)

DRC4. Processes and procedures (planning, performance evaluation, management and development of human and financial resources, control of methods used for internal communication, accountability to different actors, relevance of approaches used to provide advice)

DRC5. Values and Rewards (integrity, ethics, inclusion, partnership, reputation, existence of norms governing the behavior of individuals within the organization, possibility of feedback, incentive system to achieve good performances)

DRC6. Human Resources (adequacy between quality, number of staff and services to be provided; clear definition of tasks, roles and responsibilities; mechanism to mobilize, develop and keep human resources, accessibility to external expertise, evaluation and reward mechanisms, etc.)

DRC7. Financial Resources (adequate budget for salaries, operations and investments, sufficient resources to develop and implement programs for small producers, sustainability of the economic model allowing the organization to operate over the long term)

DRC8. Knowledge Management (generation, storage, use of knowledge, existence and management of relationships to access skills, knowledge and information useful to meet new challenges and opportunities)

DRC9. Infrastructures (means for transports, ICTs facilities, buildings, training facilities etc.)

Other (to be completed)

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* 6. The main providers of agricultural advisory services in WCA are: public services (ministries, state agencies, etc.), producer organizations (POs), NGOs, Farmer Trainers Associations (FTA); Agri inputs and equipment suppliers; Agro-industrial companies; Consulting firm; Agricultural Research; Microfinance Institutions.

For each type of provider, please check and tick in the list below the main areas where capacity development actions are needed.

	Ministries and decentralized services	POs	ONGs	Farmer Trainers Associations	Inputs and Equipments suppliers	Agro-industrial Companies	Consulting Firms	Agricultural Research	Microfinance
DRC1. Strategic Management	DRC1. Strategic Management Ministries and decentralized services	DRC1. Strategic Management POs	DRC1. Strategic Management ONGs	DRC1. Strategic Management Farmer Trainers Associations	DRC1. Strategic Management Inputs and Equipments suppliers	DRC1. Strategic Management Agro-industrial Companies	DRC1. Strategic Management Consulting Firms	DRC1. Strategic Management Agricultural Research	DRC1. Strategic Management Microfinance
DRC2. Structure and organisation	DRC2. Structure and organisation Ministries and decentralized services	DRC2. Structure and organisation POs	DRC2. Structure and organisation ONGs	DRC2. Structure and organisation Farmer Trainers Associations	DRC2. Structure and organisation Inputs and Equipments suppliers	DRC2. Structure and organisation Agro-industrial Companies	DRC2. Structure and organisation Consulting Firms	DRC2. Structure and organisation Agricultural Research	DRC2. Structure and organisation Microfinance
DRC3. Relations (both internal to the organization and with external actors)	DRC3. Relations (both internal to the organization and with external actors) Ministries and decentralized services	DRC3. Relations (both internal to the organization and with external actors) POs	DRC3. Relations (both internal to the organization and with external actors) ONGs	DRC3. Relations (both internal to the organization and with external actors) Farmer Trainers Associations	DRC3. Relations (both internal to the organization and with external actors) Inputs and Equipments suppliers	DRC3. Relations (both internal to the organization and with external actors) Agro-industrial Companies	DRC3. Relations (both internal to the organization and with external actors) Consulting Firms	DRC3. Relations (both internal to the organization and with external actors) Agricultural Research	DRC3. Relations (both internal to the organization and with external actors) Microfinance
DRC4. Processes and procedures	DRC4. Processes and procedures Ministries and decentralized services	DRC4. Processes and procedures POs	DRC4. Processes and procedures ONGs	DRC4. Processes and procedures Farmer Trainers Associations	DRC4. Processes and procedures Inputs and Equipments suppliers	DRC4. Processes and procedures Agro-industrial Companies	DRC4. Processes and procedures Consulting Firms	DRC4. Processes and procedures Agricultural Research	DRC4. Processes and procedures Microfinance
DRC5. Values and Rewards	DRC5. Values and Rewards Ministries and decentralized services	DRC5. Values and Rewards POs	DRC5. Values and Rewards ONGs	DRC5. Values and Rewards Farmer Trainers Associations	DRC5. Values and Rewards Inputs and Equipments suppliers	DRC5. Values and Rewards Agro-industrial Companies	DRC5. Values and Rewards Consulting Firms	DRC5. Values and Rewards Agricultural Research	DRC5. Values and Rewards Microfinance
DRC6. Human Resources	DRC6. Human Resources Ministries and decentralized services	DRC6. Human Resources POs	DRC6. Human Resources ONGs	DRC6. Human Resources Farmer Trainers Associations	DRC6. Human Resources Inputs and Equipments suppliers	DRC6. Human Resources Agro-industrial Companies	DRC6. Human Resources Consulting Firms	DRC6. Human Resources Agricultural Research	DRC6. Human Resources Microfinance
DRC7. Financial Resources	DRC7. Financial Resources Ministries and decentralized services	DRC7. Financial Resources POs	DRC7. Financial Resources ONGs	DRC7. Financial Resources Farmer Trainers Associations	DRC7. Financial Resources Inputs and Equipments suppliers	DRC7. Financial Resources Agro-industrial Companies	DRC7. Financial Resources Consulting Firms	DRC7. Financial Resources Agricultural Research	DRC7. Financial Resources Microfinance
DRC8. Knowledge Management	DRC8. Knowledge Management Ministries and decentralized services	DRC8. Knowledge Management POs	DRC8. Knowledge Management ONGs	DRC8. Knowledge Management Farmer Trainers Associations	DRC8. Knowledge Management Inputs and Equipments suppliers	DRC8. Knowledge Management Agro-industrial Companies	DRC8. Knowledge Management Consulting Firms	DRC8. Knowledge Management Agricultural Research	DRC8. Knowledge Management Microfinance
DRC9. Infrastructures	DRC9. Infrastructures Ministries and decentralized services	DRC9. Infrastructures POs	DRC9. Infrastructures ONGs	DRC9. Infrastructures Farmer Trainers Associations	DRC9. Infrastructures Inputs and Equipments suppliers	DRC9. Infrastructures Agro-industrial Companies	DRC9. Infrastructures Consulting Firms	DRC9. Infrastructures Agricultural Research	DRC9. Infrastructures Microfinance
Other (to be completed)	Other (to be completed) Ministries and decentralized services	Other (to be completed) POs	Other (to be completed) ONGs	Other (to be completed) Farmer Trainers Associations	Other (to be completed) Inputs and Equipments suppliers	Other (to be completed) Agro-industrial Companies	Other (to be completed) Consulting Firms	Other (to be completed) Agricultural Research	Other (to be completed) Microfinance

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* 7. In your opinion, are there other priority areas for capacity development at organizational level that are not included in the list above? If so, kindly indicate them while specifying the types of suppliers most concerned.

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* 8. Among the following factors, please indicate which ones are the most limiting in order to improve the political and institutional environment for agricultural and rural advisory services in West and Central Africa?

Pol1. Existence of macroeconomic policies (agricultural policies), incentives to increase production, market reforms and access to credit facilities;

Pol2. Political Commitment for Agricultural Development and the Recognition of the Role of Agricultural and Rural Advisory Services

Pol3. Fiscal and political decentralization and clear definition of local government roles and responsibilities in agricultural development including support to Agricultural Advisory Services

Pol4. Availability of a policy framework or policy for Agricultural Extension and how these policies shape the behavior of different organizations in the agricultural sector and the Agricultural Innovation System (AIS)

Pol5. Capacity of the policy development / adaptation process to taking into account lessons learned from past experiences and to involve all relevant stakeholders

Inst1. Ability and willingness of other AIS actors (research, education, private sector, NGOs) to share resources and expertise and to participate in joint activities with Agricultural Extension and farmers / producer organizations

Inst2. Existence of Institutions that facilitate and stimulate collaboration to address issues between providers of agricultural advisory services and between providers and other organizations of the AIS

Inst3. Existence of coordination and consultation mechanisms between different actors of agricultural development

Serv1. Existence of financing mechanisms that stimulate the adaptation of services at the request of the customer, responsiveness of the offer and collaboration between providers of agricultural extension services

Serv2.Level of literacy and education of producers and value chain actors

Serv3. Existence of quality infrastructure (roads, telecommunications, markets, etc.)

Serv4. Availability and accessibility to financial services

Serv5. Availability and accessibility of agricultural inputs and equipment

Serv6. Existence of training centers able to offer curricula adapted to the demand and facilitate learning

Other (to be completed)

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* 9. Do you have any further comments or suggestions about needs, opportunities and actions for capacity building of Agricultural Advisory Services in WCA?

	Very important	Important	Not important
NCA1: Introduction to the New Extensionist	NCA1: Introduction to the New Extensionist Very important	NCA1: Introduction to the New Extensionist Important	NCA1: Introduction to the New Extensionist Not important
NCA2: Extension Approaches and Tools	NCA2: Extension Approaches and Tools Very important	NCA2: Extension Approaches and Tools Important	NCA2: Extension Approaches and Tools Not important
NCA3: Agricultural Extension Program Management	NCA3: Agricultural Extension Program Management Very important	NCA3: Agricultural Extension Program Management Important	NCA3: Agricultural Extension Program Management Not important
NCA4: Professional Ethics	NCA4: Professional Ethics Very important	NCA4: Professional Ethics Important	NCA4: Professional Ethics Not important
NCA5: Adult Learning for Behavioral Change	NCA5: Adult Learning for Behavioral Change Very important	NCA5: Adult Learning for Behavioral Change Important	NCA5: Adult Learning for Behavioral Change Not important
NCA6: Basic Knowledge Management and Extension	NCA6: Basic Knowledge Management and Extension Very important	NCA6: Basic Knowledge Management and Extension Important	NCA6: Basic Knowledge Management and Extension Not important
NCA7: Introduction to Facilitation for Development	NCA7: Introduction to Facilitation for Development Very important	NCA7: Introduction to Facilitation for Development Important	NCA7: Introduction to Facilitation for Development Not important
NCA8: Community Mobilization	NCA8: Community Mobilization Very important	NCA8: Community Mobilization Important	NCA8: Community Mobilization Not important
NCA9: Farmer organisational Development	NCA9: Farmer organisational Development Very important	NCA9: Farmer organisational Development Important	NCA9: Farmer organisational Development Not important
NCA10: The Role of Extension in Value Chain	NCA10: The Role of Extension in Value Chain Very important	NCA10: The Role of Extension in Value Chain Important	NCA10: The Role of Extension in Value Chain Not important
NCA11: Agricultural Entrepreneurship	NCA11: Agricultural Entrepreneurship Very important	NCA11: Agricultural Entrepreneurship Important	NCA11: Agricultural Entrepreneurship Not important
NCA12: Gender in Agricultural Advisory Services	NCA12: Gender in Agricultural Advisory Services Very important	NCA12: Gender in Agricultural Advisory Services Important	NCA12: Gender in Agricultural Advisory Services Not important
NCA13: Risks Mitigation and Adaptation in Agricultural Extension	NCA13: Risks Mitigation and Adaptation in Agricultural Extension Very important	NCA13: Risks Mitigation and Adaptation in Agricultural Extension Important	NCA13: Risks Mitigation and Adaptation in Agricultural Extension Not important
NCA+1: Developing Capacities for Evaluation of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services	NCA+1: Developing Capacities for Evaluation of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Very important	NCA+1: Developing Capacities for Evaluation of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Important	NCA+1: Developing Capacities for Evaluation of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Not important
NCA+2: Policy Advocacy for Agricultural Advisory Services	NCA+2: Policy Advocacy for Agricultural Advisory Services Very important	NCA+2: Policy Advocacy for Agricultural Advisory Services Important	NCA+2: Policy Advocacy for Agricultural Advisory Services Not important
NCA+3: Nutrition Sensitive Extension	NCA+3: Nutrition Sensitive Extension Very important	NCA+3: Nutrition Sensitive Extension Important	NCA+3: Nutrition Sensitive Extension Not important