ABSTRACT
Agricultural extension is an interdependent system. A nation’s commitment to agricultural extension is generally reflected in its development strategy. In LDCs in particular such strategies are often influenced by global politics and by international supports for agricultural development work - contributed by donor organizations. Although public policy is primary for agricultural extension, an important contemporary policy issue highlighted in this volume relates to public policy goals for private sector agricultural development and coordination between the public and private sectors. A public policy issue with both political and technical implications relates to participation through decentralization. Rondinelli presents a typology of four kinds of contemporary decentralization - deconcentration, delegation, devolution, and transfer to non-governmental institutions. Moris, as Onyango, encourages national policy makers to note the relationship of appropriate incentives for farmers and agents to successful agricultural extension.
