PILOT EXTENSION

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The Agricultural Extension Pilot Project will constitute a 3 year pilot phase of a long-term development effort to increase the efficiency of the agricultural extension services. It is part of a long-term strategy aiming at sustainable agricultural development through modernization of agricultural practices, envrionmental measures and population policies. Specifically, it will help : a) reorganize and strengthen the extension services of 5 of the country's 23 CIRVAs (Agricultural extension districts) : Ambatondrazaka, Antananarivo, Miarinarivo, Moramanga, and Amparafaravolo; b) provide systematic in-service training for project staff at all levels; c) focus adaptive research on validation and diffusion of economically and environmentally sound technology; d) strengthen the monitoring and evaluation capability at both the central and regional levels; e) strengthen financial management; f) improve organizational and managerial capacity of the DVA; and g) make funds available for studies, an in-depth project review, and the preparation of a follow-up project that will draw on the results of the project review. The study program is intended to look at ways to reduce the cost of extension to the Government through : 1) involving the private sector and NGOs more forcefully; 2) reducing costs at the DVA (e.g. reducing excess personnel); and 3) reviewing the possibility of cost recovery mechanisms.