Public and Private Agricultural Extension: Partners or Rivals?

This article examines the roles of the public and private sectors in agricultural extension. Extension services are classified according to their economic characteristics to identify areas where opportunities for private (for-profit and nonprofit) participation will arise. The author finds that commercialization of farm operations gives rise to demand for specialized client- and location-specific extension services that can be provided by private for-profit firms, although the main buyers will likely be market-oriented medium and large farmers. Because of market failures, some types of extension services will require public funding—although not necessarily public delivery. A critical government role in a pluralistic extension system would be to provide the appropriate regulatory framework to ensure fair competition and maintain quality standards.