HSAD Extension

ICARDA / HSADExtension Component

Challenges, Achievements, and Moving Forward

Dr. Mohammed DouglahHSAD Extension Consultant

Acknowledgements • The entire HSAD team, particularly those working in the

extension component, would like to recognize the important contributions UCON had made to the accomplishments achieved by extension. Extra special thanks are due to Mrs. Andrea Bohn, for her organizational and programmatic leadership and her sense of dedication and commitment.

• I would like to personally extend my sincere thanks and appreciations to the entire Extension family in the MoA. Special thanks are to Mr. Faisal Kadhim for his wonderful cooperation and support for the entire HSAD Extension team.

The Primary objectives of the HSAD Extension Component were: 1. To strengthen and modernize the Ministry of

Agriculture (MoA) delivery of extension services.

2. Increase the breadth and depth of knowledge, skills, and attitudes among extension staff; and

3.Utilize information and Communication technologies in the provision of extension services.

Strengthen and modernize MoA’s delivery of extension services

Challenges:

•Duplication of delivery systems.•Insufficient linkage / coordination between research and extension.

Ministry of Agriculture

Dept. of Ag. Extension &

Training

Department of Agricultural

Research

Governorates Department of Agriculture No.

15

Extension Centers No. 15

Sections of Extension No.

15

Research Stations No.

15

Extension Farms No. 57

Extension Units No. 226

Total Employees = 858

-Administrative = 461-Technical = 397

No. of Extension workers 552

IKRMinistry of Agriculture and Water Resources

MoAWR

DG Erbil DG Germian DG DohokDG

Sulaymania+

Dept. of Extension

Dept. of Extension

Dept. of Extension

Dept. of Extension

14 Extension Centers

Approx. 45 Ext. workers

17 Extension Centers

Approx. 169 Ext. workers

9 Extension Centers Approx. 30Ext.

workers

3 Extension Centers Approx. 10Ext.

workers

•Proposal to strengthen coordination between DG of Extension and Training, and Departments of Extension in governorates. Also, to strengthen coordination between Extension and Research in MoA.

Accomplishments

Main elements contained in the proposal- Agricultural researchers of the DG of Agricultural

Research to be released, on average 3 – 4 days a month, to perform extension type activities.

-Each researcher selects 2–3 experienced technicians working in experiment stations to form a team.

- The team works closely with staff of Extension Centers and Farms and with extension workers in Departments of Agriculture in governorates. They perform extension functions specified in a job description.

- Members of the team receive incentives (25 % of basic salary,) for the first year; to be increased in subsequent years based or performance.

- The following job description is offered as a guide to be followed by researchers and others for the performance of their extension responsibilities. It shall also be used for the purpose of preparing the evaluation form for their performance.

1. Conduct a comprehensive survey relative to the area of specialization of the team in the governorate where an experiment station is located in order to identify major production and other problems that can be resolved through applied research.

2. Actively assist workers in Extension Centers and Farms and in Departments of Agriculture in the governorate in planning, implementing and evaluating extension farm demonstrations.

3. Conduct training programs for extension workers and farmers to enhance the process of disseminating and adopting agricultural technologies.

4. Actively participate in field days conducted by Extension Farms and Departments of Extension in the governorate.

5. Prepare appropriate extension publications.

6.Periodically revise and renew information contained in existing publications.

7. Prepare an annual report with emphasis on:a. Technologies that have been adopted by

farmers and their economic and social benefits.

b.Number and type of extension activities participated in and their expected outcomes.

•Recommendations to link universities (mainly colleges of agriculture) with MoA research and extension organizations.

Moving Forward

•Coordination and linkage mechanisms need to be continuously pursued at two levels: Top down, and Bottoms up.

•Patience and persistence are required. Change doesn't take place overnight.

Increase the breadth and depth of knowledge, skills and attitudes among extension staff

Challenges

•Isolation (during 80’s and 90’s) and present security conditions have rendered extension, as an organization and staff, lacking behind in knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for effective extension work.

Accomplishments•Enhanced knowledge, skills, and attitudes about the organization, functions and delivery systems of extension. Also, individual extension workers are more energized about their role as agents of change.

This was achieved, mainly through organized training programs, observations, and personal interactions with others.

- Twelve training programs for extension staff in:

•Communication•Organization and planning•Date palm production•Orchard management•Video production• Information and communication technology (ICT)•Certified seed production•Irrigation •Conservation

- More than 350 extension staff participated.- Forty – four training programs for farmers (888

participants).- Of particular note was the participation of 3

extension staff in (ESEE), held in Antalya, Turkey, September, 2013.

- Thirty – eight “tips & fact” sheets have been translated and made available to extension staff.

- Video production manual has been translated and distributed.

- Extension website developed and launched.

Moving forward The department of extension has included in

its budget for 2015, and beyond, considerable allocations for training extension personnel, inside and outside Iraq. They are planning to seek the assistance of international organizations, i.e. FAO, ICARDA, and others to build upon what HSAD has been able to achieve.

- Country wide extension baseline survey was planned, developed and is being implemented in 15 provinces. Two thousand farmers will be interviewed.

Utilize information and Communication technologies in the provision of extension

services

Challenges

The primary hindrance to employing ICT in extension has been the lack of awareness and insufficient training of staff in its production and proper us in the extension process.

Accomplishments HSAD is leaving behind an array of information utilizing various forms of modern technologies, i.e. videos, CDs, flash memories, power point presentations, manuals, fact sheets, a website and more. Efforts were made to make sure that information is disseminated to those who are in position to make the most out of it. The most significant technology in this regard was the creation of the new extension website (www.iraq-irshad.net) and the training of the core staff to update and maintain the site. Mr. Awni, the extension website designer is being sent to ICARDA’s communication department in Amman for a week long training experience.

Moving forward

One of the main outcomes of HSAD’s contributions in this area has been making Iraqi extension staff, specialized in ICT, aware of the vast network of resources available to them, worldwide, to utilize and build upon what they were able to accomplish during the past 20 months.