media, technical guidelines, magazines, handbooks, books and articles. ( last year ..... Lur. Apple. 1. 18. 17. 270. 3. 28000. 35000. 90. 6. 18. 4. Janatmaka n.
Islamic Republic of Iran Ministry of Jihad-e- Agriculture Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization
Country Paper
Towards Innovative Extension Services in National Agricultural Innovation System in Iran
By: Dr. Peyman Falsafi1, Dr. Mohammad Reza Shahpasand2
Prepared for: Workshop on Innovative Extension Services to Agricultural Productivity Manila – Philippines 17-21 November 2014
Project code: 14-AG-30-GE-WSP-B
1
Assistant Professor of Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization Assistant Professor of the Institute of Technical & Vocational Higher Education of Jihad-e-Agriculture
2
1
Towards Innovative Extension Services in National Agricultural Innovation System in Iran By: Dr. Peyman Falsafi, Dr. Mohammad Reza Shahpasand
Introduction Nearly 28 % of 75 million populations in the Islamic Republic of Iran are living in rural areas under about 4 million farm units (2013). Iran is divided into 31 provinces, 252 districts, 680 sub districts and more than 60000 villages /settlement. About 24.9 % of the active rural populations of age 10 and above are engaged in agriculture sector. However, a large part about 62% of its cultivable soil resources, amounting to 33 million (ha) has not yet been put to agricultural utilization, and 18.5 million hectare of cultivated land has been utilized at a productivity rate of 50-60 percent. Moreover, 33% of agricultural land area is under irrigation, 28 % for rain fed farming, 27% under fallow and 12% fruit orchards. Approximately, out of 30% of total area of the country (164 million ha), 51 million is characterized by a high or medium degree of cultivability and is considered potentially arable land. Agriculture sector accounted for 12% of Iran's GDP. The share of agricultural products in total non-oil export earning is 26%. Moreover, this sector provides almost a quarter of the employment opportunities. Despite declining contribution of agriculture sector in GDP in the recent years, it displayed a rapid growth (4.9%) during the same course. Economic activities of Iran's villages mainly include cultivation, gardening animal husbandry and handicrafts. Accordingly, Iran is one the 10th greatest countries in 63 products of 200 in the world and produced more than 120.000.000 tons of different agricultural products in year 2012. The main horticultural products of Iran are: pistachios (60% of the world product), dates (19% of the world product), pomegranate, grape, almond, walnuts, barberry, berry, apricot, cherry, cantaloupe, apple, oranges, peaches, etc. The major farming crops are: saffron, wheat, barley, rice, corn, canola, potato, pees, tomatoes, tea, melons, etc. Animal husbandry and dairy products are: sheep and beef meat, milk, wools, honey and fisheries products, etc. These subdivisions of agricultural improve the food security of the country and tremendous success in ensuring protein was associated. Currently, agricultural research, education and extension in Iran is an interlinked system that act in the form an independent organization and is one of the key department of Ministry of agriculture and agricultural extension system is experiencing a radical change from a linear model to an innovative and facilitation model to make extension system more effective in helping farmers to be more productive, profitable and sustainable. Role of Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization is the main responsible authorized organizations in creation, storage, capturing, diffusion and utilization of knowledge and information in national agricultural innovation system in Iran.
2
AREEO Mission: AREEO’s mission is to contribute to enhance the food security and improve well-being of the people of Iran through research and training and related activities to increase agricultural production, improve food quality, saving biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources. AREEO plays a vital role in the sustainable development of agriculture sector by generating appropriate technologies for sustainable food, feed and fiber production through its affiliated research and training institutes and centers. It also provides comprehensive information for optimum utilization of natural resources. AREEO Structure (National level): AREEO is comprised of three departments including research, extension & education and planning & support respectively. There are four bureaus and one center in research department named: Agricultural Scientific Information and Documentation Center are accommodated. The names of these offices are given here to below: 1- Investigation & Coordination of Research Projects Bureau; 2- Scientific & Research Relations Bureau; 3- Environment and Sustainable Development Bureau and 4- Technology & Commercialization and Transfer of Research Findings Bureau. Extension & Education Department has five bureaus and one group as below: 1- Staff Training Bureau; 2- Farmers Training and Agricultural Jobs Bureau; 3- Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Bureau; 4- Logistics and Equipping Extension Network Bureau; 5- Rural and Nomad Women Affairs Bureau and 6- Radio and Television Group AREEOs' Functions in Innovation Management System: a) Creating knowledge and innovations: There are 23 national agriculture research institutes, specialized in different agricultural issues, 34 provincial agriculture research centers, which have different specialized divisions compatible with province needs, 314 research stations, located in the field and are working based on regions needs are subsidiary body of Agriculture Extension & Education and Research Organization (AREEO) and are engaged in creating knowledge. In AREEO research is carried out based on needs assessment conducted by extension service. Moreover, Agricultural Scientific Information and Documentation Center keeps all the reports of research project, carried out by the AREEO subsidiary bodies, and then provides institutions and research centers with these reports. b) Capturing knowledge and innovations: This is conducted through ICT products including; mass media, media, technical guidelines, magazines, handbooks, books and articles. ( last year many effort been taken to document the created knowledge including 66 titles of self-directed training CD, 204 technical guidelines, 141 extension handbooks, 26 extension posters, 72 brochures and 40 training package were prepared). c) Diffusion of knowledge and innovations: All the innovations through research activities should be transferred to staff, farmers and other target groups by training. d) Utilization of Knowledge and innovations: The results of research projects, farmer's experiences and their indigenous knowledge will transfer by extension network in the whole country including extension agents, facilitators, local extension assistants, advanced and progressive farmers and private sector experts (technical and advisory services agencies) to small farmers through conducting different extension programs.
Agriculture Extension Service Delivery in Iran The institutional background of agricultural extension services in Iran can be categorized under three historical periods: 1) Conventional agricultural extension activities were carried on for four decades based on
3
conventional (Transfer of Technology) TOT Model to improve agricultural productivity through introducing modern technologies by the ex-Ministry of Agriculture (1960-2000). 2) Participatory extension approach which utilized as dominant extension model from 1978 2000 by the ex-Ministry of Jihad-e-Sazandegi (the Ministry of Jihad for Construction) to assist farmers and rural people to rehabilitate rural life and develop rural infrastructures in parallel to agricultural services. 3) Merging of two ministries and establishment of the Department of Extension and Farming Systems (DEFS) (Jan 2000). 4) Formation department of extension and education in AREEO with five executive offices and one group in headquarter (2007). Currently, there is an extension coordination division in each provincial agriculture organization. These divisions are affiliated to 1213 agricultural services center. The agricultural services centers as the public extension centers with accompanying of 2300 technical and advisory services agencies from the private sector are providing innovations and extension services to small farmers and cover about 4 million farmers all over the country. We can add to this innovation spreading network the Farmers’ Organizations including 1200 producing cooperatives and more than 6000 rural and agricultural cooperatives in district level in the country. Accordingly, the main tasks of agriculture extension services in Iran is to needs assessment of research and education, delivery innovations to farmers, improvement of farmer`s skills through utilizing the innovations and providing specific training and using the experience of innovator farmers for development of technical knowledge in agriculture sector. Meanwhile a series of extension activities as: 1. Applying information tools and technologies; 2. Introduction of prompt mechanisms for boosting the yield; 3. Qualifying the rural livelihoods with emphasis on indigenous knowledge and culture; 4. Paying greater attention to the rural youth and women, and also the community-based organizations and particularly entrusting extension function to rural bodies as a ground for gradual privatization; Extension programs in agriculture are done with aims of increasing the farm management productivity by farmers, paying attention to environmental considerations in production process, decreasing the consumption of basic resources including soil and water, seeds, pesticides and fertilizers, market-led production, food safety and security. Accordingly, innovation delivery is the process which helps agricultural extension system identifies, select, organize and disseminate important innovations including: knowledge, information and experiences to the farmers with the specific focus on small farmers. This will enable the farmers to utilize innovations and solve their problems in the field and increase the farm productivity. In Iranian agriculture extension system, innovations are managed through codifying and integrating knowledge created by researchers, experts, farmers’ indigenous knowledge and experiences and other existing sources. Agriculture extension system is officially affiliated to public research sector from one side and is also connected to the two other important sectors including education system and farmers, from the other side as well. Created and existing knowledge transfer to recipients by means of different communication means including training package, CD, handbook, poster, guidelines etc. Participation in training courses, farmers filed school, filed visits and workshops are among the other training methods. Innovative Agricultural Extension Programs Currently, agricultural extension system in Iran is experiencing a radical change to make extension system more effective in helping farmers to be more productive, profitable and sustainable. The transitional period has been shared as a radical reform and serious revision and restructuring have been started since 1996 and fostered after amalgamation two responsible ex-ministries (Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Jihad Sazandegi). Basic principals for reinventing agricultural extension as fallow:
4
1. Focusing on small farmers and enhancing the access to public services in agriculture; 2. Starting from grass root level and people/farmer's needs/issues and their demands. (Demand Oriented) 3. Learning from past experiences and develop our own methodology and model of extension. (Grounded Methodology). 4. Benefiting from emerging paradigm, latest theories and experiences to inform our collective action. (thinking globally, acting locally) Regarding formulation of missions and commitments, 8 strategic and master plans have already been prepared in which, all activities are people-oriented and based on participation and privatization. Moreover, application of state of the arts communication technology to organize media lies within the core strategies of the extension system which enjoy the latest national and international successful experiences and achievements. In outlining the missions and activities, the following master strategies have been formulated to reinforce the changes in Iran's extension system: 1. Restructuring the extension system to establish new and efficient modalities, approaches and institutional flow-chart; 2. Renovation of all extension sites for optimized exploitation and management of facilities and capacities; 3. Human resource development through promotion of training scales and employment of skilled staff at institutional levels; 4. Reorganization of extension media aiming at reconsideration in their context and connection to the clientele; 5. Networking agricultural knowledge and information system to enjoy information and communication technology and further dissemination in the sector; 6. Restructuring and developing of production cooperatives to identify the bottlenecks and formulate new policies for improvement; 7. Studying and assessing farming systems to discover the ongoing status at all sub-sectors concerned; 8. Reorganizing and expansion of non-governmental institutions in agriculture sector. Action Taken to Re-invent Agricultural Extension for Small Farmers: Enhancing the accessibility to extension system and services for small farmers, Decentralized agricultural extension administration system Restructuring 1213Agricultural Services Centers(ASCs), to support rural area as a network Equipped with necessary instruments, ICT facilitating Introduction of new participative extension methods and techniques - Organizing small farmers in different forms of institutions including: National Confederation of Farmers Elite Farmers Association - Rearranging human resources to serve small farmers; Relocation extension agents and SMS to ASCs Organizing 40000 elected farmers (male and female) as group leaders to bridge between small farmers and ASCs. Assigning 2500 agricultural graduate in ASCs as their military service. Action Taken to Re-invent Agricultural Extension for Progressive and Commercial Farmers: - Facilitate establishment of 2400 small private extension companies, o Supervisory; o Machinery, distribution services; o Establishment of advance farmers training centers with confederation of farmers to conduct special local and international courses and agri-tours to abroad; -
5
o
Establishment a new specialized TV channel as Farmers Network; o Funding two internet sites and agricultural news agencies as Iranian Agricultural News Agencies (IANA), to cover latest technical, commercial, and managerial information: o www.iran-agrin.ir o www.iran-tarvij.ir o www.agri-news.ir
Extension Programs in Line the Innovation System The most important new programs of extension services are: Integrated Participatory Crop Management (IPCM), Comprehensive Production and Extension Model Sites (CPEM) and Learning Focus Sites (LFS). In all of these activities, extension administration tries to delivery innovation and empowers the small farmer in order to increase the agricultural productivity. Integrated Participatory Crop Management Program (IPCM) The main goal of IPCM focuses on achieving sustainable agriculture. In this approach extension system try to achieve: 1- Protection of basic production recourses comprising: water, soil, inputs; 2Enhancing farmers empowerment and farm management skills; 3- Emphasizing research findings and research instructions; 4- Improvement of extension facilities and services; 5- Farmers training and educational activities for focus and goal groups; 6- Market-driven and innovative to make powerful linkages and relations among research, extension, education and farmers is monitored as a component in sustainable agriculture achievement. Establishment of this system as a systematic program and participatory action is tracing in three following steps: Step 1. Before farm: Considering local resources, environment, bio-diversity, basic resources, available structure management as a vast ecosystem, human skills, local knowledge, potencies and used inputs and technology… Step 2. Inside farm: Managing all steps comprising planting, cultivating, harvesting of products… Step 3. After farm: Comprising marketing and logistics including: packaging, transferring, storing, maintaining and sending products and marketing steps management that in the end the organization will be ensured that by the least costs, most reliable control with the following benefits is done: 1- Walking toward low and perfect production (Zero Defect) consistent with GAP and organic system 2- Changing sure manufactures in economical productivity of production (final cost in level unit) 3- Changing confidence in consumers through product quality assurance 4- Consistence of production process with quality manager systems 5- Prevention of four categories of risks. With a look to this issue that agriculture is subordinate of collection of management factors and climate conditions and unpredicted dangers that as a systems comprising managing primary production recourses such as water, soil, biotic and dead factors in an ecosystem, market and geographical conditions, farmers management, local experiment, some social situations, different exploitation systems and etc that will explain the need of comprehensive and systemic look to communication process it. So the issue that defines communication in agriculture is “collaborative manufacturing management system” that has four following basic evolution: - Designing of communication methods based on learning of Agro ecosystem - Choosing of bilateral communication methods especially for adults rather than one way methods - Implementation of comprehensive management outlook for communication in agricultural department - Emphasizing on all strains participant of local communities in communication cycle The main characteristics of IPCM are as follows: - Local Community Based: The communication mechanism in sustainable agricultural development is based on local community and people participation so that a larger group of beneficiaries may benefit the programs;
6
- Farmers-led and village based: IPCM has based on a rural structure and small holders to raising practical knowledge and technology development are done through capacities of the individual farmers. - Capacity building activities: In IPCM education and capacity building among rural small scale farmers and their family of developing countries is the main strategy as well as technology and capital support. - Environmental Friendly: In IPCM, the technology transfer process and choosing communicational tools are defined according to sustainable production management indicators , ecosystem conservation and social and economic conditions of the target group; - Multi- stakeholder activity: It is essential to gain participation and collaboration of governmental and nongovernmental organizations, budget institutes and policy makers to create a sound communication and unity in implementation of the IPCM. - Integrated Management system: In IPCM, all technology development-based projects are integrated and merged with other local projects; - Impact Assessment: In IPCM, assessment are based on indicators of outcome economic analysis framework - Innovative platform activity: In IPCM, it is important to develop technologies according to modern and indigenous knowledge, local experiences and social conditions of the target area. Comprehensive Production Model Sites Program (CPMS) CPMS is a unit belongs to a Local Extension Animator or rural facilitator and some units belong to the other beneficiaries in a village where all technical recommendations and research findings under supporting and monitoring of the ministry of agriculture desired plans are enforced, extended and developed through resources and facilities accumulation. The unit belongs to Local Extension Animator is called main unit and the other units are called subordinating units. Local Extension Animator refers to rural and tribal farmer whom has experiment and technical skills in agriculture and through interaction with producers and other agricultural generators cooperates in diffusing technical science. The basic approach is empowering local communities through them, and raising coverage coefficient of extension network. The common objectives of the model sites and green productivity purposes is focus on goals related with sustainable agricultural development and improving the small farmers' life situation and raising their income. For example, the producing healthful, environmental friendly inputs and replace chemical fertilizers with organic and biological fertilizers and Pesticides optimization are followed by the program administration. Learning Focus Sites Program (LFS) LFS is a farming unit belongs to a Progressive farmer and some units belong to the other beneficiaries in a village where all technical recommendations and experiences, extended and developed through Progressive farmer. The unit belongs to Progressive farmer is called main unit and the other units are called subordinating units. Mechanisms, methods and structures of learning centers is similar to model sites, but main unit belong to Progressive Farmers and knowledge and innovation transfer by extension and Execution. In this centers knowledge will be transferred, that is a combination of technical, modern and indigenous knowledge and experienced by the progressive farmers. 32 learning centers are carried out and the results are summarized.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Steps of Conducting CPMS and LFS Programs Designing of action plan; Choosing suitable extension local animator, or Progressive farmer; Choosing suitable place for model site, or learning focus site; Choosing subordinating units by area and subject; The continuous technical supervision; Cary out all the technical recommendations in the model sites;
7
7. Supervision and monitoring by monitoring group; 8. Documentation the implementation process and results; 9. Impact assessment and evaluation of the plan. Conclusions of Conducting CPMS Program Model sites designing have begun from 2012 and by the first 6 months of 2013, 900 sites was operating, and the results will be summarized, some provinces have sent the results. For example the results of implementation the sites in Khuzestan province mentioned. The sites are intended to raise the quality and quantity of the products, that the quality in line with the Green Productivity. Table No 1- Sample of Models Sites’ implementation (Khuzestan Province) 2012-2013 participants
Farm er visito rs
Performance(kg)
Area(hac) Innov ations
Models sites Crop
City
Row
1
Wheat
Abdolie Karoon West Lur Janatmaka n Kut
1
Jahangiri
6
Molasani Asiab Allahoakb ar Safhe
7 8
10
Midavood
11
Horriahi
12
20
Research Execution Extension 5
15
5
50
3500
3200
3
240
15
20
1
Wheat
18
6
90
35000
28000
3
270
17
18
1
Apple
20
4
65
31000
25000
2
30
10
20
1
Tomato
20
3
43
1000
700
2
64
6
20
1
20
2
40
1680
1500
2
500
10
20
1
20 20
3 3
60 63
3450 35000
3000 26000
3 4
280 75
10 5
20 20
1 1
Canola Rainfed wheat Wheat Watermelon
20
3
50
3750
3100
3
188
4
20
1
Wheat
20
6
40
2220
2000
2
120
12
20
1
24
5
96
12000
10000
3
88
2
24
1
20
7
120
4500
4
210
20
20
1
20
6
20
5500
4
125
5
20
1
Rice
Gabir
13
20
4
20
6700
3
80
6
20
1
Corn
Zidon
14
20 20 20
4 4 4
46 60 50
5700 Contin ues Contin ues 14500 41000 4300
Triticale Pomegranat e Wheat
12000 35000 3500
2 3 3
218 40 230
14 12 10
20 20 20
1 1 1
Alfalfa Tomato Wheat
15 16 17
20
4
45
4150
3800
3
154
9
20
1
Wheat
20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
5 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 4
53 64 56 70 84 60 65 44 63
25000 1600 3450 3400 39000 3100 26000 4600 37000
22000 1200 2800 3000 34000 2500 22000 4000 30000
2 3 3 2 3 3 4 2 3
50 130 120 75 54 182 50 215 62
4 12 15 4 2 6 2 10 4
20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
20
4
50
3100
2600
3
76
5
20
1
Vegetables Canola Wheat Wheat Vegetables Wheat Tomato Wheat Tomato Rainfed wheat
Chanane Shavor Sorkhe Shamsaba d Hamidie Dashtlali Jayzan Raghive Raghive Hoseinabd Hoseinabd Mianab Mianab Halaijan
28
Farmer
After
Before
65
3600
2800
S.U
M.U
S.U
M.U
4
2500
10
20
8
2 3 4 5
9
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
20
3
62
36300
30000
3
55
3
20
1
Vegetables
20
6
120
10800
8200
4
40
2
20
1
Palm date
20
6
125
9100
7700
4
50
3
20
1
Palm date
10
4
45
15
3
10
1
Grapes
4
80
Contin ues 4200
2
20
Contin ues 5000
4
60
5
20
1
Palm date
20
6
60
18500
15000
3
44
4
20
1
Citrus
20
4
73
32000
25000
4
68
2
20
1 35
Tomato
Soltanaba d Bahmansh ir Abushana k Ghalekhaj e Buzi Shamsaba d Marbache sum
The table shows that the most frequency is about wheat sites, and in all sites is a significant raise in the mean performance. Also, researchers, extension agents and executive experts participate in sites. Another point about sites is using them as demonstration farms for the other farmers, that they may see the results of the findings’ application in the field. Moreover in transfer of technologies, new varieties that resistant to pests and diseases as a priority have discussed. References - Auofoam, International Federation of Organic Agriculture. (2003). Comprehensive Guide on Organic Development. - Asghar Zade, Ahmad, (2005). Bio technology in agriculture , Soil and Water Research Institute. - Bagheri, A. & Shahpasand, M. R. (2010). Analyzing Application of Sustainable Agricultural Technologies between Paddy Farmers in Haraz Catchments Area, Mazandaran Province of Iran. Journal of agricultural sciences, 39-2 (1), 139-152. (In Farsi). - Braun, Ann R.; Thiele, Graham and Fernandez, Maria (2000), Farmer Field Schools and Local Agricultural Research Committees: Complementary Platforms for Integrated Decision–Changing in Sustainable Agriculture. Paper No.105, London : Overseas Development Institute, Agriculture Research and Extension Network. - Falsafi, P., (2005). Extension System in Iran. Country Report, Prepared for the Training Course on Agricultural Extension Planning and Management, Tokyo-Japan,May 10, 2005 ~ July 16, 2005. - Falsafi, P., (2003), Towards a Sustainable Model of Agricultural Extension in Iran: Lesson learned from Javadabad Pilot Project, Seminar and Local Community Development, APO, Malaysia, Alostar, - Hoseininia, Gh. & Shahpasand, M. R. (2009). Analysis of the Relation Among Government Actors in the Pasture Network. Journal of agricultural sciences, 40 (3), 143-152. (In Farsi). - Kumar, D., Shivay, Y.S., (2008). Modern concepts an Agriculture, Integrated Crop Management. Division of Agronomy Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012 - Lashgarara, F. & Sharifzadeh, A. (2003). The Farmer Field School Approach in Empowering Farmers in Process of Sustainable Development in Agriculture. Journal of Jihad, 261. (In Farsi). - Lashgarara, F. & Hoseini, M. (2005). The Farmer Field School Approach and Extension Agricultural Innovation in innovations’ Diffusion in the Context a Sustainable Agriculture. Journal of Rural and development, 8(3), 105-134. (In Farsi). - Pontius, J.C., R. Dilts & A. Bartlett (2002). From farmer field school to community IPM: Ten years of IPM training in Asia. RAP/2002/15, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok. 106 pp. - Sharifi Moghadam, Mohammad,( 2006), Comprehensive National Document for Iran Agriculture Organic Development , AEERO. - Sharifi Moghadam, Mohammad, (2005), Concepts an Iran Sustainable Agriculture Development , AEERO. - Sharifi Moghadam, Mohammad, (2005), The Main Strategy of Iran Rural Development , AEERO. - Sharifi Moghadam, Mohammad, (2004), Concepts an IPM/FFS in I.R.Iran , AEERO Nasroallahi, A., A. (2004). Translation of Organic Agriculture, Scientific Industrial Research Institute of Science Ministry.
9
29 30 31 32 33 34 35
