Strengthening research-extension-farmer-input linkage system for sustainable smallholder livestock farming in Africa: progress and prospects.
Agricultural extension
Agricultural research
Linkage
REFILS
Smallholder livestock farming
Journal
Tropical animal health and production
ISSN: 1573-7438
Titre abrégé: Trop Anim Health Prod
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 1277355
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024
Historique:
received:
31
12
2023
accepted:
14
10
2024
medline:
28
10
2024
pubmed:
28
10
2024
entrez:
28
10
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
The drive to hasten the development of smallholder livestock farming through research-extension-farmer-input linkage systems (REFILS) is being promoted in African countries. Resource-constrained smallholders face various challenges including poor access to timely and relevant research-based innovations. Weak research-extension-farmer-input linkages exacerbate this issue. This review explores the evolution of Knowledge Transfer and Agricultural Extension Theories, emphasising the shift from centralised top-down dissemination to participatory and user-driven models. The paper characterises "research", "extension", "farmer", and "input" as the main pillars of agricultural knowledge systems and how their lack of interconnectedness impacts their effectiveness. Examining the dynamics of these pillars provides a comprehensive rationale for strengthening REFILS. Also, REFILS adoption disparities such as limited funding and investment, institutional and organisational inefficiencies, and social and cultural factors were discussed. The identified key challenges form an intricate web of interconnected issues which should not be addressed in isolation but collectively. The proposed measures for REFILS enhancement include building strong public-private partnerships, full participation and collaboration by all key actors including farmers, digitalisation of smallholder agriculture, and policy and institutional reorganisation towards a stronger REFILS. Moreover, the study acts as a foundational guide for strengthening REFILS at national, regional, and continental levels to foster economic, environmental, and social sustainability in Africa's livestock industry.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39466464
doi: 10.1007/s11250-024-04210-9
pii: 10.1007/s11250-024-04210-9
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Review
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
363Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
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