AGRIC.EXTENSION III

closed

The objective of the project is to consolidate efforts to improve extension services for food crops and to further strengthen those for estate crops by integrating the various subsectoral extension services into one unified extension service within the Ministry of Agriculture. The proposed project includes: (a) recruitment of 6000 field extension workers, 3000 extension supervisors, 1000 subject matter specialists and 200 animal health officers. It further involves (b) construction of 400 new Rural Extension Centers (REC); expansion of about 1,400 existing RECs; and construction of 200 animal health posts and 210 staff houses. Finally, it aims to provide (c) procurement of the necessary vehicles, equipment and furniture; (d) overseas and local training of extension personnel; and (e) technical assistance and studies. The unified extension service would help increase production of secondary crops, horticultural crops, estate crops, livestock and fisheries in order to provide the population with a more balanced and nutritious diet, as well as to increase tree crops and fisheries exports.