Competencies of Extension Workers Promoting Agroforestry to Smallholders in the Global South

Abstract

Smallholder farmers in the Global South are confronted by a wide array of challenges. Challenges smallholders encounter range from a shifting climate to economic uncertainties. Agroforestry, the intentional integration of trees with crops and/or livestock, has been one strategy promoted by institutions to address some of the challenges realized by smallholder farmers. As an organization promotes this dynamic agricultural practice and natural resource management strategy, organizations must ensure that their extension staff is competent to promote agroforestry to smallholders in the Global South. To better understand the agroforestry knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) of extension workers promoting agroforestry in the Global South, research for a three-article dissertation was conducted. The three unique but related studies included: (a) a modified Delphi study, (b) focus groups, and (c) a Ranked Discrepancy Model (RDM) needs assessment. Results from the first study provided a comprehensive list of technical and human relation KSAs that an agroforestry expert panel agreed was important. The identified list of KSAs was used for the next two studies. The second study produced an organizational agroforestry extension competency model for the Nongovernmental Organization (NGO), Plant with Purpose, using focus groups. Seven core competencies were identified, along with key actions staff must display. The final study was a needs assessment that used a snowball sample of global agroforestry extension workers to prioritize their top training needs based on their Ranked Discrepancy Score (RDS) of the KAS items. The top ranked training needs were in the areas of agribusiness and pests and disease. All three studies combined provide a fuller understanding of competencies required of extension workers promoting agroforestry in the Global South.