Reform and Decentralization of Agricultural Services: A Policy Framework


FAO Agricultural Policy and Economic Development Series
7
ISSN 1020-6531
by
Lawrence D. Smith
FAO Consultant
Policy Assistance Division
and
Agriculture and Economic Development Analysis Division
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED
NATIONS
Rome, 2001

Table of Contents



The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

ISBN 92-5-104644-1

All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of material in this information product for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without written permission of the copyright holders. Applications for such permission should be addressed to the Chief, Publishing and Multimedia Service, Information Division, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100 Rome, Italy or by e-mail to [email protected]

© FAO 2001


Table of Contents


Foreword

Acknowledgements

Acronyms

Introduction

Chapter 1: What is decentralization?

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Institutional reform in the 1980s
1.3 Decentralization defined
1.4 Forms of decentralization
1.5 Potential benefits of decentralization
1.6 The challenge and risks of diversity
1.7 Conclusions

Chapter 2: Factors influencing the decentralization decision

2.1 Traditional roles of government in service provision
2.2 Disaggregating ‘provision’
2.3 Subsidiarity, jurisdictional spillover and specialization
2.4 Organizational and political factors
2.5 Conclusions

Chapter 3: Who should provide?

3.1 Who should pay?
3.2 Who should produce?
3.3 Who should regulate?
3.4 Conclusions

Chapter 4: The reform process: initial stages

4.1 Is there a case for reform?
4.2 Is there the political commitment for reform?
4.3 Initial stages of the reform process
4.4 Conclusions

Chapter 5: The reform process: subsequent stages

5.1 What institutional or organizational changes are required?
5.2 How should the reforms be phased?
5.3 Is the reform process working effectively?
5.4 Conclusions

Chapter 6: Agricultural research

6.1 The nature of research products
6.2 The demand for and supply of agricultural research products
6.3 Appropriate forms of decentralization
6.4 Conclusions

Chapter 7: Technology and advice services

7.1 The nature of technology and advice services
7.2 The demand for and supply of technology advice
7.3 Appropriate forms of decentralization
7.4 Conclusions

Chapter 8: Rural financial services

8.1 The nature of rural financial services
8.2 The demand for and supply of rural financial services
8.3 Appropriate forms of decentralization
8.4 Conclusions

Chapter 9: Input and equipment supply and crop marketing services

9.1 The nature of input and equipment supply and crop marketing services
9.2 Factors affecting demand and supply
9.3 Appropriate forms of decentralization
9.4 Conclusions

Chapter 10: Veterinary services

10.1 The nature of veterinary services
10.2 The demand for and supply of veterinary services
10.3 Appropriate forms of decentralization
10.4 Conclusions

Chapter 11: Water resource management services

11.1 The nature of water resource management services
11.2 Factors affecting demand and supply
11.3 Appropriate forms of decentralization
11.4 Conclusions

Glossary

References

Back Cover