Agricultural extension can be defined as the “delivery of information inputs to farmers to increase agricultural productivity” and also it is the application of scientific research and knowledge to agricultural practices through farmer education.
Agricultural Extension Services In South Africa
- INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Founding Years
A mere 13 years from now, 2025 will mark the first century since the founding of the South African Extension Service (in 1925). The then Minister of Agriculture, General Kemp, personally approved the appointment of Col. Heinrich du Toit as head of the Service comprising a small group of six extensionists serving the entire country (Penzhorn, 1987).
The people they were serving still carried the scars of the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) and the First World War (1914-1918) to be followed (after founding) by the Great Drought of the 1930s, the Depression and the Poor Whites Problem. The Second World War (1939-1945) affected this country when the Extension Service was in its infancy, a mere 14 years old (Koch, 2007).
1.2 Early Highlights
Those early years were, however, not without highlights as exemplified by:
The deployment of home economists (primarily serving housewives);
The establishment of land service clubs (for the school-going youth);
The development of faculties of agriculture (at the Universities of Stellenbosch and Pretoria);
The publication of Farming in South Africa (with 6330 subscribers in 1935); and
The publication of the Handbook for Farmers in 1939 (Düvel and Koch, 1991; Government Printer, 1957).
The emphasis clearly focused on the dissemination of information by service-orientated extensionists. Of particular relevance was the promulgation of the Soil Conservation Act 1946 (Act 45 of 1946) that formed the backbone or baseline of many extension programmes.
The authors of the Conservation Act respected the principles of community involvement by legally mandating democratically elected soil conservation committees to write their own district plans and to supervise the operational implementation of these plans (Koch, 2007).
- AN OVERVIEW OF EXTENSION SERVICES BEFORE 1994
2.1 Agricultural Extension for Black Farmers
Prior to the new political dispensation in 1994, the extension services for black farmers developed along their own specific pathways. In 1913, the Union Government promulgated the Native Land Act 1913 (Act 27 of 1913), which reserved land for blacks that had been occupied by them at the time of Union in 1910. In 1936, by way of the Released Areas Act 1936 (Act 18 of 1936), a further 6,2 million ha of so-called “quota land” was added to the 9,2 million ha of already “scheduled land” (Coetzee, 1987).
The first School for Agriculture was opened at Teko in 1905. In 1930, the Fort Cox College of Agriculture was established, followed by the Tompi Seleka Agricultural College in 1960 and a fourth College in Taung in 1965 (Coetzee, 1987). In retrospect one can state that:
Despite cultural differences (between the African and European cultures) the fortunes of both groups have been inextricably bound together (and have remained so to this day);
Effective agricultural extension for developing communities calls for extensionists with special abilities;
Cattle occupies a special place in the lives of black people and consequently (with a few exceptions) any moves to limit livestock numbers was frequently opposed most vehemently; and
Prescriptive approaches had to make way for education and persuasion (Coetzee, 1987).
The need for a more scientific approach of the extension was identified in the late 1950s. The South African Regional Commission for the Conservation and Utilization of the Soil (SARCCUS) contributed to the identification of this need within the Southern African region and served as the medium through which member governments could share knowledge and experience concerning an extension.
The proceedings of an Extension Methods Workshop conducted in Salisbury (now Harare) during May 1962 served as an impetus for the establishment of a formal extension service for black farmers (Coetzee, 1987).
Today extensionists are working side by side irrespective of race or creed. What astounds many a sceptic is the positive contributions of black women to agricultural development. Their vegetable gardens and housecraft form a backbone of household food security, particularly so in the developing world.
- EXTENSION SERVICES RENDERED BY NON GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS
3.1 Extension Services Rendered by Agricultural Co-operatives
The most common challenge facing farmers during the founding years of cooperatives centred on economic issues. Agricultural co-operatives functioned not to their own advantage but solely to that of their members. To this end, they also involved themselves in plant-breeding initiatives, the manufacture of agriculture implements, the processing chain (which included wine cellars and cheese factories), the Citrus Exchange and co-operatives in tobacco, wool, karakul, livestock and grain (Eksteen, 1987). Some highlights included the “Blokhuis” feedlot just outside Harrismith in the Free State, the Co-ordinated Extension Campaign of the Highveld and the OTK experimental farms in the Bethal area.
The agricultural co-operatives that specialized in wool, citrus and the canning of fruit were the first to employ extensionists (during the late 1930s). In 1982, agricultural co-operatives had deployed a total of 242 graduates and 286 technicians. They also served farmers of neighbouring states such as Lesotho. In 1982, the South African Agricultural Union ranked the extension services of co-operatives in the top position in terms of economic and technical services (Eksteen, 1987). Ten years later it became fashionable to privatize and deregulate the economy. Control Boards were dissolved. Agricultural co-operatives were privatized and their extension numbers dwindled into insignificance.
3.2 Commodity Organizations
Commodity organizations such as the wine, sugar and wool industries organized themselves into commodity organizations and are linked to AgriSA through its chambers. Commodity organizations are known for the dedicated inputs of their specialist extensionists to the development of the emerging agricultural sector (without compromising their commercial interests). Some have their own technical backup structures, such as the Mount Edgecombe Experiment Station in the case of the Sugar Industry.
In the case of the National Wool Growers Association (NWGA, established in 1929), sustainable and profitable wool and sheep production is promoted in South Africa. More than 50% of its close on 10 000 members are black commercial and emerging farmers with representation throughout the organizational structures of the NWGA. The NWGA involves itself in developmental programmes often in close liaison with the state’s extension service (De Beer, 2007).
3.4 The Private (Commercial) Sector
The private sector’s involvement with the SASAE commenced with a strong body of representation on the society’s board during the founding years. With the increasing technological sophistication of the economy, the private sector’s involvement in agriculture intensified. The sector concentrates on the supply (and after-sale service) of seed, fertilizer and lime, animal feed, plant-protection chemicals, tractors, farm implements, vehicles, packing materials, fuel and lubricants and financial services (Luus, 1987).
With competing organizations in the field, the necessity arose to establish organizations that, amongst others, would guard against unethical and unprofessional conduct and to promote technical and marketing codes. The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical Society of South Africa was established in 1956 and the Fertilizer Society of South Africa in 1959 with the above objectives, amongst others, in mind.
While the private sector must reflect a measure of social conscience-particularly in today’s demanding social situation-the sector is not a social service. The target audience is probably the single most significant difference between the state extensionist and the advisor in the private sector (Rix, 1987). The state extensionist targets the poorer masses of people while the private sector concentrates on areas with superior profit potential. Sound extension principles apply to all sectors and they need one another, now more than at any time before.
What are extension services in agriculture in South Africa?
Extension services are carried out by extension workers or extension agents. Extension agents help in promoting agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, improving rural livelihoods and promoting agriculture as an engine of pro-poor economic growth.
What are challenges to agricultural extension services in South Africa?
Low morale, depression, economic worries, and less productivity are now common in extension organizations due to HIV/AIDS. Extension workers who by training are required to motivate farmers to try and adopt new agricultural technology are themselves depressed and frustrated, and this affects their output.
What does an agriculture extension specialist do in South Africa ?
Extension specialists are trained individuals whose aim is to assist farmers and give instructions where and when necessary. They carry out research processes and apply the findings in solving emerging problems. They offer training on the planting procedures for different crops.
Where can agricultural extension work in South Africa ?
Faculties of agriculture, schools of agriculture, River Basin Development Authority and Agricultural Development Projects. In addition, graduates of Agricultural Extension may become self-employed as farmers, consultants, agro-input dealers, etc. or work with non governmental organizations.
What is the status of private extension in South Africa?
There is no private company in South Africa that may be called as an extension advisory company. However, as the country enjoys a vibrant commercial agriculture sector, there are many private companies that are involved in various agricultural operations such as agro-processing and marketing.