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
Blogs
AFRAS
Aligning Policy and Law for Effective Rural Advisory Services
02/12/2025
The recent 2023 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) publication, A regional study on advancing rural advisory services in Arab countries to promote market orientation and inclusive transformation, highlights that the political and regulatory frameworks governing the agricultural and rural sector influence rural services provision in each country of the region.
AFRAS
2nd AFRAS Meeting: Leveraging Rural Advisory Services for Inclusive Rural Transformation in the Arab Region
28/10/2025
At a moment when Arab rural communities face intertwined pressures, from climate shocks to protracted crises, the second meeting of the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS) gathered momentum and allies. Over 160 participants from 17 countries joined the three-day hybrid meeting, both in person in Cairo and online
AFRAS
In memory of Dalia Aboulfotuh
30/09/2025
It has been a month since the tragic and sudden passing of our dear colleague and friend, Dalia Abulfotuh. The loss still feels unreal.
AFRAS
AFRAS 1st Annual Meeting: A Diverse Gathering for Rural Transformation
04/02/2025
The inaugural AFRAS Annual Meeting took place at a critical time for the Arab region, where communities are grappling with challenges like food insecurity, resource scarcity, and ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, and Yemen.
AFRAS
Advancing policies for more effective and innovative extension services: the case of the National Plan for Extension Services (2024-2030) of the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture
29/07/2024
In Jordan extension and Rural Advisory Services (RAS) are key to support famers, the majority of whom are smallholders, in addressing their productivity and profitability challenges spanning water scarcity, high costs of production inputs, high cost of labour and lack of market access.
AFRAS
Insights from a memorable day: the official launch of the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS)
21/07/2024
The 8th of February 2024 is a date to remember for many experts, practionnaires and champions of Rural Advisory Services (RAS) in the Arab Region and beyond. This date marked the official launch of the Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS)
Publications
Arab Forum For Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS) Country brief - Saudi Arabia
17/11/2025
The Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS) strengthens inclusive, climate-smart advisory services across the Arab region by linking public, private, and civil-society providers. In Saudi Arabia, agriculture is modest yet strategic, contributing 2.7 percent of GDP in 2023 and employing about 3 percent of the population.
Arab Forum For Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS)Country brief - Iraq
28/10/2025
The Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS) strengthens inclusive, climate-smart advisory services across the Arab region. In Iraq, agriculture underpins rural livelihoods yet remains a modest economic contributor: about 22 percent of land is agricultural, the sector provides ~8 percent of jobs and 2.8 percent of GDP, and most farms are smallholders (over 80 percent under 10 ha, often fragmented). Production is dominated by cereals—especially wheat and barley,
Multimedia
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
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