Slides are reflecting the extension system of Argentina. In this slides, you can see brief introduction about the country, extension system, key aspect of policies,postive and negative aspects, ICT projects in Argentina etc.

1. Extension system of Argentina
Ankit Pal
PhD scholar
Division of Agricultural Extension
ICAR- IARI, New Delhi

2. INTRODUCTION
 Argentina is located on the
southeastern side of South America.
 Argentina, sharing their territory
with Bolivia ,Paraguay, Uruguay
and Chile.
 Argentina is second-largest country
in South America after Brazil, the
fourth-largest country in the
America, and the eighth-largest
country in the world.
 Capital- Buenos Aires

3. Agricultural situation in Argentina
Particular Argentina India
Agricultural contribution to GDP 11 % 18.3%
% of workforce depends on
Agriculture
8 % 42%
Per capita land 0.93 ha 0.12 ha
Total geographical area 2,780,400 km2 32,87,263 km2
Cultivated area 39 % (2020) 60%
Irrigated area 7 % 35%
Main crops Soybean, wheat and Maize (which
account for 82% of total crop area)
Wheat, Rice, Jute, Cotton, Sugarcane,
Rubber
Climate Very hot, Wet summers( which
result in a lot of swamp land)
Tropical wet and dry climate
Major export Soybean, wheat, Maize. Rice, Sugar, Spices
Major import Soybean oil, Palm oil, Milk and dairy
products.
Pulses, Cashewnut, Edible oil

4. Land mark Particular
1800 Establishment of agricultural societies.
Aim- To promote scientific agricultural practices and the spread of agricultural
knowledge.
1830 Established the first Agronomy school in the country.
•The school focused on providing theoretical and practical training in agriculture.
1853 Argentine Rural Society was founded.
1873 The first experimental station was established.
•These stations conducted research on various crops and livestock, developed new
agricultural techniques.
1893 The National Agronomic Congress was established as a platform for exchanging
knowledge and discussing agricultural issues.
1898 The Argentine Agricultural Society is founded.
• Promoting agricultural practices and knowledge dissemination.
Origin of extension system in Argentina

5. . Landmark year Particular
1912 The National Agricultural Congress established.
•It serves as a platform for discussing agricultural issues.
1916 The National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA).
•It becomes a central institution for agricultural research, development, and
extension services in Argentina.
1983 The Farmer-to-Farmer Program (Cambio Rural) is launched.
•It focuses on promoting farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange and collaborative
learning in agricultural practices.
1990 The National Agricultural Extension Plan is introduced.
Aim- To strengthen the agricultural extension system in Argentina and improve the
transfer of technology.
1991 Establishment of the Centers of Regional Councils (CRCs).
1992
1996
INTA La Consulta, started offering a workshop on garlic.
Minifundio program was started.
1997 Onion Councils were established in Argentina

6. . Landmark year Particular
2004 The Agricultural Extension and Technology Transfer Program (PROINDER)
•It focuses on supporting rural development and improving the livelihoods of small-
scale farmers.
2010 The Digital Agricultural Extension Program (DAEP) is launched.
•Dissemination of information and communication with farmers.
2011 INTA, launched the Agricultural Technology Fund (FONTAGRO).
Aim- To finance research and development projects in agriculture.
2012 INTA introduced the Pro-Huerta program.
To encourage poor families to grow more vegetables for their own consumption
2017 Argentina government implemented the National Agro industry Plan.
Aim- Revitalize the agricultural sector and promote economic growth.

7. Origin of extension system in Argentina
 Formal agricultural extension services started in Argentina in 1956 with the help
of the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA).
 INTA’s mandate - To develop agricultural research and extension in addition to
improving both agricultural and the quality of rural life.
 In 1970s, INTA changed its extension mandates.
 The new mandate focused on the medium-sized farmers rather than small
farmers, and on a technology-driven approach instead of the previous human
and society-driven approach.

8. S. no. Project Funded By Main aim
1 Agricultural Technology
Uptake Project
The Inter-American
Development Bank
Focused on grape production.
2 Provincial Agricultural
Development Project
(PROSAP)
World Bank and the Inter-
American Development Bank
Focused on rural
development and better
agricultural services for
farmers.
3 Rural Development
Project for the
Northeastern Provinces
(PRODERNEA)
The International Fund for
Agricultural Development
(IFAD)
Credit and Technical Support
for Small Producers.
Extension projects in Argentina

9. ICT projects in Argentina
Projects Main Objective
Agro climatic information system (ACIS) Provide real time weather information to the
farmers.
Mi Agro App Crop management
Agro ecological knowledge platform Provide information on organic farming
technique.
AgroTICs To improve the efficiency, productivity, and
sustainability of agricultural practices through
the adoption of ICT solutions.
Tambero Farm management software that enables
farmers to digitize their farm records

10. key aspects of extension policies in Argentina
Farmer Field Schools:
FFS provide a participatory and practical learning platform for farmers.
Training and Capacity Building:
The government and agricultural institutions organize workshops, seminars,
and training programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of extension
agents.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs): The use of ICTs is
increasingly being integrated into agricultural extension services in
Argentina.
Collaboration and Partnerships:
Extension policies in Argentina promote collaboration and partnerships
among various stakeholders.

11. Recommendations to improve Agricultural policies
 Promote sustainable agriculture practices.
Strengthen agricultural extension services.
 Foster public-private partnerships
 Strengthen the holistic policy approach to risk management.

12. Lesson learnt
Integration of research and extension.
Demand driven services.
Farmer to farmer knowledge sharing.
Adoption of digital technologies.

13. Present extension system in Argentina
.

14. Extension Model developed by Jorge Arboleya (2001)
Extension
programs
(Cambio Rural,
Pro-Huerta,
Minifundio)
Suppliers
(Fertilizers,
Seeds etc.)
University
Growers
Consultants
INTA

15. Important Players in Extension
Different types of players are playing an important role in extension and
these players are Public, private, NGOs etc.
 Public institutions providing extension/advisory
services-
1- Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries -
oversees the elaborate agricultural extension network.
2- National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA)-
considered as the leading agricultural research institution in
3- Genero MERCOSUR Program-
The program focuses on integrating gender development.

16. Private institutions providing extension/advisory services-
The private sector in Argentina is very active in all aspects of
agriculture, including livestock, forestry and fisheries, farming,
agro-industry and exports.
• Calata Corp
• Generadora Eolica Argentina del Sur SA (GEASSA)
• The Beidahuang Group of China
• El Tejar S.A

17. NGOs providing extension/advisory services-
• There are a large number of NGOs in Argentina engaged in a variety
of humanitarian and development activities.
• Name of a few NGOs that are involved in agricultural and rural
development activities -
1-Organization for Human, Environmental and Technological Development
(ODHAT)
2- Union of the Family Farmers’ School (UNEFAM)
3-Association for the Human Promotion and Local Development (APHyDAL)

18. Farmer based associations, cooperative and societies providing
extension/advisory services-
• Argentine Cooperative Association
• Agricultural Inter-Cooperative Confederation
• Argentine No Till Farmers Association; also known as the Argentine
Association of Direct Seeding Farmers
• Argentine Rural Society

19. Particulars India Argentina
Institutional
Structure
Agricultural extension services are
primarily delivered by the
•DAC- at the national level
• State-level agricultural departments
• Institutions.
The National Institute of
Agricultural Technology (INTA)
plays a central role in
agricultural extension services,
providing technical assistance,
research, and training to
farmers.
Focus and
Objectives
•The Indian extension system aims to
enhance agricultural productivity, increase
rural incomes, and alleviate poverty.
•It focuses on disseminating improved
farming practices and providing advisory
services among smallholder farmers.
Emphasizes sustainable
agriculture, technology transfer,
and rural development.
Extension Approach •Top-down
•Bottom-up
•Commodity Focused
•Top-down
•participatory and farmer-
centric approach
Comparison of extension system of Argentina with India

20. . Particulars India Argentina
Farmer Support Programs •Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai
Yojana (PMKSY) for irrigation.
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima
Yojana (PMFBY) for crop
insurance
• Soil health cards (SHC) for soil
testing.
•Cambio Rural
• Pro-Huerta
• Minifundio
Digitalization and Technology
Adoption
Initiatives has started, such as-
• Kisan Call Centers (KCC)-to
disseminate information
• Mobile apps- provide advisory
services
• Online portals- to connect
farmers with experts.
Online resources, webinars, and
digital platforms are used to
reach a wider audience and
provide up-to-date information
to farmers.

21. Positive aspect
Program (MERCOSUR) focus on gender development.
Regular providing of extension services to the farmers.
The private sector in Argentina is very active in all aspects of agriculture.
Consulting company like Cargill, BRF, Arauco playing an important role to strengthen the Growers.
Most of the extension professionals enrolled in degree or diploma programs.

22. Negative aspect
 Resource Constraints
Limited Coverage
Inequitable Distribution
Sometime NGOs giving small money and they charged high rate of interest.

23. Conclusion and recommendations
Argentina emphasis on export the agricultural commodity.
Extension services started in Argentina with the help of the National Institute of
Agricultural Technology (INTA).
Workshops need to be offer on various crops.
Program should be need based, target oriented and grower driven.

24. Way forward
Policy Support.
Increase Funding.
Focus on Participatory Approaches.
Strengthen Public-Private Partnership.
Embrace Digital Technologies.
Promote Gender Equity and Social Inclusion.

25. References
Acosta, M.C. and C.C. Srnec. 2011. Strategies for action and public policy implications of the
third degree cooperatives in Argentina. Original, Spanish version published in Vision de
Futuro, Ano 8, Volumen No. 15, No. 2, Julio-Diciembre 2011; English version available
at: www.scielo.org.ar/pdf/vf/v15n2/en_v15n2a06.pdf.
Arboleya, J. and E. Restaino. 2001. Agricultural extension models in South America: A
description of systems in use in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. HortTechnology,
January-March 2004 14(1), Pp. 14-19
Dowbley, V. and Abare-Brs.2010. Argentina: National Institute of Agricultural Technology
(INTA); PowerPoint presentation made at Canberra on August 12, 2010.
INTA [National Institute of Agricultural Technology]. 2009. Argentine ICT for Agriculture. PowerPoint
presentation made at the Argentina-South Africa Workshop on Information and Communication
Technologies, held at Buenos Aires, September 16 to 17, 2009.
Santiago del Solar. 2013. Agriculture in Argentina Today. PowerPoint presentation made at the World Farmers
Organization meeting held at Niigata, Japan, 15-18 April, 2013.