Specialized Agricultural Extension Education in Ethiopia
Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) has spearheaded efforts to strengthen agricultural extension education in Ethiopia by tailoring programs to meet evolving farmer and employer needs. To date, over 4,200 development agents have been trained, enhancing their generalist skills in extension delivery and communication.
However, as farming systems become more complex, farmers increasingly demand specialized advisory services from experts in specific agricultural fields—services that generalist agents cannot fully provide. In response, employers, particularly regional Bureaus of Agriculture, now prioritize the recruitment of subject matter specialists over generalists.
To address this shift, SAA introduced four new curricula in 2022:
- Crop Extension
- Natural Resource Management
- Horticulture Extension
- Livestock Extension
A total of 62 modules were developed across these curricula. Each module underwent a structured review and validation process, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and relevance. The modules are now recognized as standard teaching materials for Ethiopian universities.
Key achievements include:
- Alignment of module content with established curricula
- Assurance of consistency, accuracy, and relevancy
- Validation of compatibility with national extension education standards
Through these initiatives, SAA has significantly advanced the professionalization of agricultural extension in Ethiopia, ensuring that future extension agents are equipped with specialized expertise to better serve farmers and meet employer expectations.
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