Abstract
Poor access to extension services has been one of the major challenges that smallholder farmers in Malawi face. Dissemination of agricultural technologies is mainly done through field level extension workers and lead farmers; however, such workers are few in number. In addition to this, there is lack of harmonization of messages, approaches and methods in extension delivery at field level. Using baseline cross-sectional data, this study aims at contributing towards harmonization of extension messages and coordination of extension service providers in the implementation of climate smart agriculture technologies in Malawi. Existing information channels for disseminating climate smart agriculture and the capacity of extension workers and lead farmers were analyzed. Key study findings include poor coordination among stakeholders in the delivery, message package and incentive schemes; nonexistence of government approved climate smart agriculture specific training manuals among stakeholders; lack of knowledge and skills among field level extension workers in disseminating climate smart agriculture technologies; and limited access to knowledge and information by female farmers. The study recommends a harmonized and gender sensitive approach in extension delivery, coordination in the implementation of climate smart agriculture activities, and strengthening of District Agriculture Extension Committees for improved facilitation in extension delivery. Key words: Extension, climate smart agriculture, smallholder farmers, Malawi.
Highlights
Agricultural support services such as access to extension, farm credit facilities and participation in functional markets, farmer associations, clubs and cooperatives have globally been touted to contribute towards improved farm level production and development of the agricultural sector (Maonga et al, 2017)
The study generated two key findings based on the objectives of the study, and raised four critical issues that policy makers ought to pay attention to in the implementation of climate smart agricultural (CSA) technologies and practices in Malawi
Government extension workers and lead farmers combined were found to be the main channel of communication for disseminating information of CSA technologies and practices
Summary
Agricultural support services such as access to extension, farm credit facilities and participation in functional markets, farmer associations, clubs and cooperatives have globally been touted to contribute towards improved farm level production and development of the agricultural sector (Maonga et al, 2017). These services tend to be very crucial especially in the successful development of smallholder agricultural subsector. In this sub-sector, smallholder farmers are generally characterized as a group possessing small landholdings for farming and with limited access to high productivity farm inputs such as fertilizer, hybrid seed varieties and improved breeds of livestock
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