The initiatives in "Agricultural and rural extension worldwide: Options for institutional reform in the developing countries" draw on recent agricultural extension, reform measures introduced in several high-income, middle-income and low-income countries. The focus, however, is on reform measures that promote food security and poverty alleviation.

  The management practices necessary for effective operation of extension services in Central and Eastern Europe have been reviewed. The difference in operational requirements between public extension and commercial consultancy services has been recognised. Then factors influencing the setting of clear aim, importance of stakeholders involvement in the preparation and operation of business plans, etc.

  The objective of this study, conducted in July 2003, was to identify the special agricultural extension and training needs of farmers living in small island countries, using Samoa as a specific case. A participatory rural appraisal approach (PRA) is used to identify farmers' needs in different geographic locations of Samoa. The methodology is based on a questionnaire and formal interviews.

  This comprehensive report includes an overview and analysis of all public and private extension service providers, a targeted strategy to enhance co-ordination and collaboration between both public and private extension providers.

  Agricultural extension is taking on new dimensions because of a global movement for reforming the national extension systems in developing countries. New learning needs of farming communities are emerging as the world enters into an era of globalization, privatization, decentralization and market-liberalization, while the traditional public extension services have not yet transformed in order to meet those needs satisfactorily. This publication addresses an increasing demand for practical, action-oriented guidelines which policy-makers could use in reforming extension systems.

  This exploratory study provides an overview of the theoretical discussions about the changing balance between public and private goods and roles in research and extension as related to the agricultural knowledge system.

  This report presents a diagnosis of the extension activities in the country.

  This paper describes a joint venture partnership between the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs and the South Africa Sugar Association. This partnership aims to improve the production of sugarcane in the region, providing a social and economic stability to rural producers and, ultimately, a stable and improved living condition for all involved.

  Extension reforms need to be firmly grounded in a sound analysis of issues relevant to a particular context. This guide provides a framework of such issues as a basis for monitoring, evaluation and analytical discussions to improve support to agricultural extension.Neuchâtel Initiative.

  Report of a workshop held at FAO Headquarters, Rome, on 9-11 February 2005, organised by FAO's Crop and Grassland Service.

  The objective of this study, commissioned by the FAO Regional Office for Europe and SDRR, is to analyse the status of and future needs for information and communication systems of private and government organizations in the national agricultural research system and its relevant partners with respect to agro-ecological and organic production in Bulgaria, Serbia and Kosovo.

  An assessment ICT infrastructure and application for agricultural research in five Macedonian agricultural organizations and their partners.

  An assessment on information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and application for agricultural research in five Croatian agricultural organizations and their partners.

  The current report is an in-depth review on ICT status of the whole National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) and its partner in Georgia.

  Description of main activities and mandate, links to main counterparners and regional research associations.

  FAO's Sustainable Development Department identifies appropriate institutional structures for rural administration and services, studies the dynamics of rural land, labour and finance markets, and advises FAO Member Governments on improved and decentralized institutional mechanisms for incorporating civil society institutions into policy-making.