Training of Trainers - Library - Network of Aquaculture Centres in ...

ResearchExtensionFarmersFlow of information/TechnologyFlow of information/influence on decision makingFig 2. An improved extension scheme.Challenge in Aquaculture Extension and Training of Small Scale FarmersChallenge in technology extension to and training of small scale farmers is closely and characteristicallyassociated with physical and socio-economic environment in which small-scale farming is carried out. Rural smallscalefarmers carry out their farming activities in complex both internal and external physical and socio-economicenvironments. The physical environment, especially for farmers in developing countries is often dominated by lowavailability of or limited access to farming resources, uncertain natural conditions, and little capacity to cope withany natural disasters. Small scale farmers often find it difficult to adopt any change in their farming systems due toresource limitation and farming risk related to harsh environmental conditions. They are often the socioeconomicallymarginalized and have very little social influence and financial power which virtually prevent themfrom investment in adopting new technology.Lack of efficient information exchange and interaction between scientists, extension agents and farmers imposeanother major challenge to aquaculture extension. Extension and research are often housed separately, often inentirely different government departments and hence seldom interact with each other. Extension agents are notinvited to research meetings and vice versa. Researchers tend to scorn the more poorly educated extensionagents, just as the extension agents scorn the farmers. None of these conditions creates an atmosphereconducive to the flow in information.Training for aquaculture extension agents is often inadequate for what is arguably the most difficult aspect oftechnology development and transfer (Haight 1995). Aquaculture extension agents are typically trained in only themost basic aspects of the technology they are expected to disseminate. They seldom understand the underlying45