The Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS) is a collaborative network dedicated to advancing extension and rural advisory services across Arab countries. With a clear vision of contributing to rural transformation and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), AFRAS actively engages in fostering networking, knowledge sharing, and learning among RAS stakeholders from different sectors. AFRAS places a strong emphasis on creating inclusive, gender-responsive, pluralistic, market-oriented, and demand-driven systems, underscoring its commitment to catalyzing positive change and sustainable development in rural communities. Read more >
Stories
Events
29/ 7
2024
31/7
2024
First Annual Meeting of The Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS)
Hybrid Event, 29/07/2024 - 31/07/2024
The Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS), the first of its kind community of experts, champions, policy makers and practitioners from different sectors committed to advancing extension and Rural Advisory Services (RAS) across the Near East and ...
Publications
Advancing rural advisory services in Arab countries to promote market orientation and inclusive transformation
31/12/2023
The regional study was elaborated by May Hani (FAO Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division), Valentina Sommacal (FAO Inclusive...
AFRAS Foundational Meeting Outcome Note
23/07/2023
FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa in collaboration with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has organized a...
Advancing rural advisory services to promote market orientation in Egypt
31/12/2022
Rural advisory services play a crucial role in improving smallholders’ livelihoods and reducing rural poverty by equipping farmers with the information,...
Multimedia
The Future of Farmer Field Schools Forum
07/08/2023
Al Minya Governorate in Upper Egypt hosted a two-day regional forum organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional...
FAO supports farmers to develop their farms through farmers field schools
22/11/2023
FAO in the Syrian Arab Republic responds to the farmers pressing need for a sustainable income and livelihood, by changing their mindsets from production-focused...
Regional meeting endorses roadmap for launch of the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services in 2024
15/10/2023
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), held...
Albums
Arab Forum Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS) Foundational Meeting
24/07/2023
24-25 July 2024, Cairo - FAO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development are collaborating to establish a rural advisory service in the...
Regional forum on “The future of Farmers' Field Schools” in NENA
28/12/2023
Blogs
Contact
May Hani
Senior Programme Officer - Lead on rural transformation and inclusive value chains
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa
Cairo - Egypt