Integral Perception Analysis on Agricultural Extension Capacity: Empirical Evidence from Ugandan Dairy Farming

To support farmers in their transition towards sustainable agriculture, sub-Saharan Africa needs a more effective extension. Thus, effective improvements based on a clear view of current and desired extension capacity are necessary. As in the past, mostly one-sided studies have been conducted. This paper proposes a more integral approach based on both characteristics and viewpoints of both farmers and extension workers. Capacity to provide effective extension and advisory services (EAS), or extension capacity, is defined and analyzed with mixed-research methods using data from 471 Ugandan dairy farmers, from three distinct production systems and 67 extension workers. Extension capacity is determined by farmers’ satisfaction, the frequency of delivering EAS to farmers, and the perceptions of both farmers and extension workers on the use of appropriate methods to deliver EAS. Results revealed moderate satisfaction across production systems, with a pronounced negative effect of long working experiences on the frequency of delivery. Positively influencing factors for delivery frequency are intrinsic motivation and the number of in-service trainings received by extension workers. On-farm demonstrations, individual farm visits, the use of contact farmers, and farmer training are perceived as the four most effective delivery methods among dairy farmers in Uganda. Given the moderate farmer satisfaction, low frequency of delivery, and slight mismatch between the perceived effective delivery methods and those being used, the study concludes that the current extension capacity remains low. However, low-hanging fruits for improvement include increasing in-service training opportunities, employing extension workers on contractual basis and motivating extension workers.