Book Review: “Essential Competencies of Frontline Agricultural Extension Professionals”

Prof. M Zahidul Haque

Prof. M Zahidul Haque and Tanzila Rahman

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION is no more a vehicle for technology transfer plus imparting non-formal education to the farming people but Extension is now performing even a greater role towards ensuring climate smart sustainable agriculture, rural poverty reduction and livelihood extension. Farmers need to learn about the application of modern techniques for decision-making plus adjusting to their social, political and economic environment. Increasing individual and collective decision-making capabilities is much important for improving farm and non-farm income and overall agricultural productivity.

Tanzila Rahman, UAO, Ramu 

A shift from mere production led extension to market led is the prime need of the hour. According to a data-base, more than 800,000 official extension professionals are working in the extension and advisory services in developing countries: most of the extension works are carried out by the government extension organizations. With a view to upgrade and increasing their competencies, extension professionals need to be trained in latest appropriate and alternative extension skills and strategies for successful implementation of various extension programs. The book under review is an excellent handbook which has been composed to prepare a new generation of agricultural extension professionals.

“Essential Competencies of Frontline Agricultural Extension Professionals” is creditably edited by: Murari Suvedi, Professor Emeritus, Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University, USA and P.V.K. Sasidhar, Professor, School of Extension & Development Studies, Indira Ghandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India.

Authors: Professor Emeritus Murari Suvedi, Prof. P.V.K Sasidhar plus 16 other authors representing different universities, colleges. Research and extension organizations from USA, India, Nigeria, Malawi, Kenya, and South Africa who enriched the book by contributing knowledgeable articles based on practical experiences.

Year of Publication: 2024

e-book ISBN: 978-93-6106-122-6

Number of pages: 441

Published by: Mishigan State University and Aliance of African Partnership.

The book contains 12 Chapters starting with “Introduction to Essential Skills and Competencies of Frontline Agricultural Extension Professionals” by Murari Suvedi and P.V.K. Sasidhar. This chapter discusses the concept of extension and how competencies can be imparted and assessed in extension work. Other chapters deal with important issues relating to extension and strategies to increasing competencies of extension professionals at par with the modern-day requirements. It may be mentioned here that with a view to improve the training of extension professionals, the editors conducted three comprehensive studies on essential competencies of extension professionals in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. 

The book—““Essential Competencies of Frontline Agricultural Extension Professionals” is no doubt a useful Text and Reference piece for agricultural professionals, graduate students, and NGO extension personnel. It can also be used as a training manual.

Meanwhile in favor of the “Association for International Agricultural Extension Education (AIAEE)”, Murari Suvedi, Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University has introduced the book. Although the book is protected by copyright but still interested readers and users can get this e-book free of cost under condition of fair use with proper citation through the link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/csus/uploads/Essential%20Competencies_Full%20Book.pdf 

(Prof. M Zahidul Haque retired Professor and former Dean of Faculty of Agriculture at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka and Tanzila Rahman (BCS Agri), Upazila Agriculture Officer, Ramu, Cox’s Bazar)