Agricultural Extension Officer Career Description
Agricultural extensionists are intermediaries between research (or any other source providing new information) and farmers. They operate as facilitators and communicators helping farmers in their decision making and ensuring that appropriate knowledge is implemented in order to obtain the best results in terms of sustainable production and general rural development.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Except for providing agricultural information and advice to farmers on their requests, extensionists often propagate farming and development programmes aimed at reaching marginalised farmers or those who for various reasons have little access to information and extension services or make little use of them. They do this in close collaboration with the farming communities, helping them to ultimately help themselves and thus become more self-reliant and independent.
As development facilitators extensionists usually work within a community and are expected to have a wide knowledge of agriculture in order to be of assistance to all farmers. Altematively they may choose to operate from a more central locality and provide, as subject matter specialists, more specialised services within specific farming enterprises.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need?
In order to convey useful information and effectively communicate with the farming community, extensionists must have a sound knowledge of agriculture, but also have an interest in people and the skills to effectively interact and communicate with them. Extensionists should also have a love for nature and the outdoor life.
Where can I work?
Agricultural extensionists are employed by Departments of Agriculture, industries which manufacture agricultural chemicals and fertilisers, or buy agricultural products, agricultural co-operatives and NGO's (nongovemment organisations) involved in agricultural or rural development.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Agricultural extensionists can act as private consultants.
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