Participatory extension approaches for sustainable agricultural development: A review

Le résumé fourni par la source

Agricultural extension has undergone a profound paradigm shift over the past four decades, moving from top-down, technology-transfer models toward participatory approaches that place farmers at the centre of knowledge generation, innovation and decision-making. Participatory extension approaches (PEAs) - encompassing Farmer Field Schools (FFS), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Participatory Technology Development (PTD), community-based extension, farmer-to-farmer learning and digital advisory services - have emerged as powerful tools for promoting sustainable agricultural development. This review synthesises evidence from global literature on the conceptual foundations, methodological diversity and empirical outcomes of PEAs. Key findings indicate that participatory approaches significantly improve technology adoption rates, enhance food security, build social capital, empower women and marginalised groups and strengthen community resilience. The integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) with participatory methods has further expanded the reach and effectiveness of extension services, particularly for smallholder farmers in remote areas. However, challenges including inadequate funding, weak institutional frameworks, facilitator capacity gaps and limited scalability continue to constrain the full potential of PEAs. The review identifies critical research gaps and proposes a framework for designing inclusive, context-responsive and digitally enabled participatory extension systems. Strengthening PEAs through policy support, multi-stakeholder partnerships and evidence-based programming is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building climate-resilient food systems.

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