Evolution of Agricultural Extension System in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Agricultural extension, though plays an important role in agricultural development, continues to be a neglected component of the agricultural knowledge and information system in Sri Lanka. Agricultural extension service in the food crop sector of Sri Lanka had been built-up over the years as an evolutionary process. Various extension approaches such as conventional technology transfer, training and visit, integrated agricultural extension, and block demonstration were implemented in this sector along with the introduction of information and communication technology interventions in the recent past. Similarly, different extension approaches were adopted over the years to suit the specific requirements of the main plantation crops, namely tea, rubber, and coconut as well as sugarcane and minor export agricultural crops. The livestock sector also has an island-wide extension service similar to the food crop sector. The agricultural extension services provided by the state departments are supplemented to a limited extent by the extension activities of the universities, private sector companies, nongovernment organizations, and international development agencies. The major challenges facing agricultural extension in Sri Lanka are (a) lack of a comprehensive national agricultural extension policy, (b) limited recognition of agricultural extension service at all levels, (c) poor linkages among research, extension, and other agri-support services, (d) shortage of competent extension professionals, and (e) inadequate research in extension.