The slide present the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of different agencies involved in agricultural extension in Nepal.

1. SWOT analysis of
government, non
government and private
agencies in agriculture
communication
development
Birat BhandariPrepared by:

2. Contents
 Introduction
 Role of Governmental agencies
 Role of Non Governmental agencies
 Role of private agencies
 Conclusion

3. Introduction
 In context of Nepal agriculture communication is
mainly done by Government agencies (mainly by
DOA, DLS, AICC)
 Non government sector (I/NGO) program focus on
agriculture commercialization, agri-market promotion
and technology dissemination (CYMMIT)
 Private sectors agro-vets, private firms, individuals
consulting firms are carrying out dissemination of
information
 The mode of information follow is use of mass
media, individual and group contact, use of mobile
apps, SMS services, use of social media

4. Governmental agencies in
agricultural communication
development
 Extension mainly carried through Department of
Agriculture and Department of Livestock Service
while AICC is responsible for production of mass
media extension contents
 Extension programs are managed through 5 regional
directorates, 75 district offices and
agriculture/livestock service centers at sub district
(Ilaka) level
 JT/JTA work at Ilaka level and report to DADO or
DLSO now at VDC/Municipality level (new federal
system)
 Government agencies play role in communication

5. DOA and DLS in Extension
 378 service centers
 4-6 service centers per
district
 DADO: Subject matter
specialist – protection,
horticulture, extension,
agronomy, planning
 Focus on transfer of
technology (plant
protection, disease
control, agri-business,
improved variety use)
 999 service centers
 9-15 service centers
per district
 DLSO: Veterinary
Doctor and Livestock
officer
 Extension on best
animal husbandry
practice and treatment
of farm animal
Department of Agriculture Department of Livestock ServiceDepartment of Agriculture Department of Livestock Service

6. Agriculture information and
Communication Centre (AICC)
 AICC unit formed in 2000
 Objective: Disseminate agricultural
technologies and techniques through mass
media
 Produces training/ extension materials• 6 technical
staffs
• 15 min radio
broadcast in
radio Nepal
Radio unit
• 6 technical staff
• Documentaries
/TV program
Video Unit
• 6-10 technical staff
• Bi-monthly
magazine, agri-
diary, agriculture
calendar
• Leaflets, booklets
Publication
unit

7. Strengths and weaknesses
 Credibility: Farmers
have great faith
 Reliable source of
information
 More technical man
power than other
organization
 Coverage all over
Nepal up to local level
 High budget allocated
for extension
 Technical person low per
farmer (1:1333)
 Staffs not updated with
new technologies
 Poor coordination among
extension worker & farmer
(Focused to reachable
only)
 Less number of SMS; 1
specialist per theme per
district
 No sufficient infrastructure
 Bureaucracy: less
responsible to farmers,
favoritism in reward,
Strengths WeaknessesStrengths Weaknesses

8. Opportunities and threats
 I/NGOs working in agriculture
sector: Capacity build up, adding
missing program at community
level
 Presence of Cooperative and
groups in community: can be used
for group extension
 Advanced communication
technologies can be used for
extension : social media, SMS,
telephone
 Local reformation in federal
system: provision of technicians in
each Local levels will create
access of extension
 Infrastructure at service center can
be used for extension with repair
 Rate of information
demand is increasing
but no of staffs are not
increasing in the same
rate creating huge gap
 Rapid technological
advances (technicians
outdated) but
frequency of staff
training is minimal
Opportunities Threats

9. NGO Involvement in
Extension
 Three kinds of NGOs operating in Nepal i. INGO ii.
National Level NGO iii. Local NGO
 Farmers’ Group formation and mobilization,
cooperative formation and strengthening
 Agri-business promotion, technology transfer,
support
 Provide training to farmer

10. Cont.…..
 Provide advisory services to farmer
 Work closely with DADO/DLSO
 Publish information materials (Posters,
leaflets, audio and video programs etc)
 SMS service, information in website, use of
social media used in communication

11.  Awareness of local cultural,
political, economic contexts
 Good networking ability and
work closely with rural poor
people
 Huge funding and flexibility in
extension program
 Have expertise in technical
matter
 Have advanced technology
 Farmer to farmer contact
(group or individual
 Small Coverage area
 Choose accessible
location
 Limited capacity for
agriculture technology
dissemination
 More accountable to
external funding agencies
Strength Weakness

12.  Can do partnership with
similar organizations
 Local resource
mobilization
 Local networking ability
 Opportunity to explore
indigenous technology
knowledge (ICIMOD)
 Unsustainable
initiatives without
link up with other
agencies
 Might not reach poor
people
 No regularity in
program
 Increased
Opportunity Threats

13. Private Sector Involvement in
Communication
 Agro-Vets and farm consultants are engaged in
extension
 Supply improved seed, seedlings, saplings, baby
chicks, fingerlings, animal feed, pesticides &
veterinary services
 Some Agro-Vets also offer artificial insemination (AI)
on cattle and buffalo
 They are more acquainted with farmers problem

14.  Easy access to farmer
 Provide input in timely
manner
 More updated
 Provide advisory service
 Demand driven extension
services
 More effective service
 Business motive
service
 Expensive (Not afford
by small farmer)
 Mostly private sector (
Agro-vet) located in
market area
Strengths Weakness

15.  Commercial farming is
being followed in recent
days hence the flow of
farmers to agro-vet is
increasing
 Increased credit facility,
hence farmers’ flow is
increasing
 Government and NGOs
program focused in
improved farming
 Unstable political
changes
 Farmers still adopting
conventional farming
practices
 Less importance in
crop protection/ animal
health by rural farmers
Opportunities Threats

16. Conclusion
 DOA, DLS, AICC are the major government agencies
working in agriculture extension
 I/NGOs play important role in agriculture/livestock
development
 Agro-vets, private firms, private consultancy services are
working in agriculture extension
 Mass media, audio video materials, ICT technologies,
websites, social media, mobile apps are being used by
these sectors in transfer of technology
 Every sectors have strength and weaknesses in some
aspects hence there should be close coordination in
order to achieve effective extension through effective
communication

17. Thank You