Title: Towards a participatory and demand-driven training and visit (T & V) agricultural extension system: A case of Tanzania
Abstract: Abstract Tanzania uses the T & V system of agricultural extension. At this moment this is a rather top-down system for the transfer of technologies, but the Ministry is convinced that the extension system would become more effective if it was more participatory and demand-driven. The Village Extension Officers are taught impact points, which they are expected to passon to the farmers. However, most farmers do not follow these recommendations, often because in formulating these recommendations one has not given enough attention to the limited possibilities many farmers have to make investments. With the large diversity among the farmers in income, access to markets and agro-ecological situation blanket recommendations cannot work. Farmers need information that helps them to make better decisions themselves adjusted to their goals and their situation. This can only be realised with a decentralised system of decision- making in the extension service and a participatory system of supervision and inservice training. Discussed are difficulties involved in realising such a major change in the extension approach. It takes time, training and a systematic strategy of organisational change to overcome these difficulties.