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Conference paper2008Peer reviewed

A social learning perspective on the promise, rationale and condition of agricultural extension in Denmark with a rural development perspective

Christensen, D; Sriskandarajah, Nadarajah

Abstract

This paper considers agricultural extension as a promising mechanism for social learning and sustainable rural development, in the Danish context. Three case studies, comprising a group of rural development extension agents, and two extension agencies, were performed in Danish context. The case studies brought insights about the practice, rationale and conditions of agricultural extension in Denmark with a rural development focus. These insights were then reflected upon from the theoretical perspective of social learning. All social learning, as a necessary first step, requires some kind of collaboration between multiple actors. We found that rural development projects that involve collaboration between multiple actors were not prevalent in the three extension cases studied here. Rather, those rural development projects directed towards individual farmers are. Sustainable development is often the ultimate rationale for social learning, but other rationale for social learning often precedes this rationale. We compared these underlying social learning principles to the rationale for rural development stated in the three extension cases, and found that only the group of rural development agents had rationales for rural development that for the most part matched with the social learning principles. The paper concludes that the Danish agricultural extension system only sporadically steps into character as a promising mechanism for social learning and sustainable rural development. Yet, when it happens, this can almost exclusively be credited to the single visionary extension agent who finds ‘room to maneuver’ among the many impeding structures. The constraining conditions indicate that a massive change at organizational level is needed

Published in


ISBN: 9782738012524

Conference

8th European symposium of the International Farming Systems Association