Extension and learning
The history of extension work is examined, emphasising changes in extension workers attitudes towards farmers and the link between extension and research into new technologies and products. The shift from the transfer of technology to farmer first approaches is noted. Existing extension officers are often blamed for poor approaches to extension, and the skills and local knowledge that they have built up over time is ignored. In the case of Vietnam, extension for appropriate technology is competeting with a new factor - private extension promoting individual techologies.