Rationale for Public Funding of Agricultural Extension Programs

Abstract

ABSTRACT Facing mounting debts and pressures toward privatization, many governments are reducing appropriations for agricultural extension. Privately funded agricultural extension programs are increasing. This paper suggests three criteria to help legislators, policy makers, and administrators decide which individual extension programs should be supported by public funds. These criteria can help gauge the extent to which public funding can be justified for individual extension programs. Public funding can be justified for extension programs that (1) contribute greater benefits to the public than to program participants, (2) compare favorably with and complement other programs, and (3) distribute public benefits not sufficiently provided through the private sector. After briefly reviewing the first two criteria, this paper focuses on the third criterion–i.e., the redress of market failure. Extension programs redress market failure by addressing environmental and public health risks, inequities in access to...