What is less appreciated is the key role played by agricultural extension workers. In African countries prone to climate shocks, these extension workers have an increasingly important role to play if farmers are to learn to adapt and build their resilience. African agriculture, in general, is massively underfunded. In 2003, African governments agreed to the Maputo Declaration, committing 10 percent of spending to agriculture. In many countries, extension services are going through profound change, out of necessity.

Source: The Star January 23, 2017 02:04 UTC