Strengthening Agricultural and Nutrition Extension

From Theory to Practice: DAESS Implementation- Lessons from District

Experiences Prepared and presented at MaFAAS Extension Week

25th -29th July,2016, Malawi Institute of Management

Contact: Chief of PartyMaCadrin@illinois.edu, 0997-646-650

Presentation outline

1. Introduction-the Project 2. District engagement 3. Approach and findings4. Lessons learnt from district engagements5. Way forward 6. Conclusion

Strengthening Agricultural and Nutrition Extension Project

One of USAID projects under the Sustainable Economic Growth

Focusing on Systems Strengthening for Sustainability

Reason: Pluralism in Extension is not = Systems approach to support operations

•

5 Year USAID award to University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (Nov 2015-Nov 2020)

Partners: DAES-as key partner, MSU and CRS

Purpose: strengthen capacity of DAES to mobilize and work with stakeholders in agricultural and nutrition extension to operate in coordinated manner using DAESS

•

3 Project Key Result Areas 1. Policy environment and organizational

strategies2. Coordination and capacity building 3. Extension and research linkages Project Approach3-Cs- Coordination, Collaboration and Colocation

•

Location:USAID Feed the Future’s Zone of Influence (ZoI)

1.    Mchinji 2.    Lilongwe Rural3.    Dedza4.    Ntcheu5.    Mangochi6.    Balaka7.    Machinga8.    Blantyre Rural9.    Chikwawa10.  Nsanje

Understanding DAESS-Approach Project briefings: National, ADD, District

Inception workshops -2o Participants - DADO, EMOs, FNOs, NSA representatives

District capacity Planning -5Workshops o Participants - DADO, EMOs, FNOs, Agribusiness, Land

resources, Crops

•

Methodology Presentations Group exercise SWOT analysis Key Areas of focuso Stakeholder snapshotso Role clarification and analysiso Analysis of the DAESS guideo District capacity strengthening Plans development

•

Key Findings o Dissemination of policy and DAESS guide

had limitations-AEDC and AEDOs o DAESS structures reported established

o Pluralism exists in all districts – evidence from Venn diagrams produced in wshops

o Membership to structures vary- elected and represented

o Ownership:DAESS perceived for DAES

LESSONS FROM DISTRICTS

Lessons – Structures established

o Establishment varies: only ASP are reported established as per guidelines

o Adaptation to the DAESS structure to include -GACs and VACs

Lessons – Structures o Undocumented roles and responsibilities

of created structures –GAC/VACo Increased workload for FLS to backstop

added structures o Conflicts with state structures due of

power relations

Lessons – Membership variationo Inconsistent with contents of guidelineso Eg: DAECCs- membership

• Inclusive membership/ voluntary attendance vs representation by others

• No accountability mechanism to constituents

Lessons – lack of standard procedures for conducting business

o Mechanism for setting meeting agenda unclear-whose responsibility

o Increased absenteeism and uninformed delegated members hampers progress

o Swapping roles eg AEDC –chairing ASP and not secretary as in guide

Lesson- Functionality of committeeso Functionality of committees challenged as

meetings are dependent on financial incentives to members

o Poor representation by commercial farmers, buyers, processors, MFI,

• Non of involvement research, other district sms’s

Awareness/ benefits for resources invested eg time?

Lessons –demand driven extension

o Narrow interpretation - affecting farmers’ perception of pluralistic extension

• Pluralism =begging or culture of handouts

AND NOT• Producing according to consumer/market

needs and seeking information on the how

Lessons –dilemma of the extension

o Reforms in extension not reflected in the roles and responsibilities of extension personnel –still top down

o Increased stakeholders- affect extension efficiency and effectiveness-due to disjointed approaches

Opportunities to strengthen DAESS o Large numbers of stakeholders beyond the

sectoro Potential to draw resources –financial and

technical- from stakeholders as done in field days o Reviewed extension policy to reflect changes o Conducive environment for change with the

public sector reform agenda in progress

Opportunities to strengthen DAESS o Large volumes of extension materials to be

adapted for district level harmonizationo DAESS fits within the new norm for extension

and advisory service- decentralization and pluralism

o DAESS platforms for individual/ collective support to farmers’ extension needs

Way-forward Support innovation in extension and advisory services to demonstrate paradigm shifts for DAESS strengthening.o Support development and implementation of

district specific capacity strengthening planso Explore integration/ inclusiveness of DAESS to

other existing committees eg. Nutrition, livestocko Promote action research and learning o Support innovative thinkers for change in

extension

Extension and advisory services needs to continuously innovate in order to remain relevant and responsive to consumer needs for the advancement of agriculture in Malawi THANK YOU !!