The history of agricultural extension in Malawi

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The book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of Agricultural Extension in Malawi, following an introduction to its emergence in industrialized nations. It draws on interviews with farmers and both current and retired extension staff, alongside literature reviews, to assess the effectiveness of the Malawi extension system since 2001. Despite numerous reforms and changes in approach, the findings indicate that these efforts have largely failed to impact field-level practices. Key issues include a lack of appropriate extension content, with recommended technologies often deemed too risky, reliant on unavailable inputs, or not tailored to local conditions. The recent reform detailed in the text appears ambitious and may require extended timeframes for full implementation. Historical trends suggest a pessimistic outlook for success; however, emerging market opportunities and signs of economic growth in Africa, including Malawi, offer a glimmer of hope. This work serves as an essential resource for understanding the challenges faced by agricultural extension systems in Africa, shedding light on both past shortcomings and present dynamics.