Extension (capacity development,
knowledge management & linkages) research
in LIVES
Fanos Mekonnen
LIVES Research Planning Workshop
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 26-28 March 2013

Outline
• Why extension system transformation
• Extension interventions in LIVES
• Extension Research approach
• Potential research types

Why Extension system transformation
To make the extension system more
efficient and effective in support of
participatory market oriented commodity
value chain development

Extension in LIVES
Extension in its wider sense embraces
knowledge brokering, facilitation, translation,
intermediary… which all work to put
knowledge into practice and learn lessons

Extension system transformation
Conventional system Transformative system
• Top down approach • Participatory approach
• Focus on natural • Market focus
resource, food security
• Technology/ supply
• Demand driven/ Responsive
Driven/ blue print /

Extension system transformation
farmers
OoARD/EARS
Private sector/coop
projects
Time
Knowledge interactions
Input/service supply/marketing

Extension Interventions cont.
Capacity Development interventions
– TOT to public sector staff ( Short, on the job)
– Formal training (MSc )to extension experts
– Training to input suppliers
– Training to producers (Couple, women, youth group)
Knowledge Management Interventions
– Field visit/ study tours/ exhibitions/ workshops
– Use of ICTs (e-readers, audio visuals, EAP, website, social
media…)
– Use of Agricultural knowledge centers
Linkage creation through platforms
– Use of commodity platforms

Extension Intervention Capacity
development –TOT to public sector staff
• Rapid value chain assessment for potential
interventions and value chain development
• Participatory market oriented extension
• Results based monitoring
• Gender mainstreaming
• Knowledge Management (eg. Use of ICT tools)
• Irrigation Technologies
• Use of improved fruit/vegetable/ animal
• Environmental impact assessment of livestock and
crop commodities –

Extension intervention- Training to input/
service providers
• Vaccine treatment for day old chicks by women
• Repair services for pumps
• Community management for use of water schemes
• Agri-business services
• Production material construction eg. Hives
• Community health worker

Capacity Development- Training to
smallholder producers
• Production/processing technologies in
livestock and irrigation agriculture
• Multiplication of fruits /vegetable seed/
seedlings
• Feed resource development (forage,
grazing area mgt.)

Planned KM and Communications in LIVES
1. Agricultural Knowledge centers
2. Online platforms
3. Offline platforms – (eg. study tours/ field visits/
platforms/ exhibitions, …)
4. E- extension - use of ICTs (E-readers, videos,
Cellphone,….)
5. Training, coaching, skills development

Research approach
• Multidisciplinary
• Multi location and multi level
• Holistic and/or Commodity specific value
chain intervention
• Gender focused

Diagnostic research
RAAKS ( Rapid Appraisal of Agricultural
Knowledge system)
– Diagnosis of the system
– Identify opportunities for intervention
– Create awareness among relevant actors
about existing constraints and opportunities
– Propose possible interventions

Action research
– Role of KM/CD interventions in increasing
capacity and efficiency of service delivery
– Access to KM/ CD interventions by male and
female experts and producers
– Role and effectiveness of various tools and
approaches in awareness creation, attitude
change, skill, capacity
– Role and effectiveness of networks in KM & CD

Impact research
As integral part of the project impact; case
studies and summary of experiences and
lessons will be documented

Thank you
www.lives-ethiopia.org