Examining the reorientation of extension and advisory services for agroecological transitions: insights from Malawi

Purpose To assess the extent to which Extension and Advisory Services (EAS) have transitioned from a monofunctional focus to a multifunctional orientation aligned with agroecological transitions.Design/Methodology/Approach Our analysis draws on 22 key informant interviews conducted at the macro, meso and micro levels, a structured survey of 366 farmers, and 16 focus group discussions with extension workers and farmers in Malawi.Findings The study found that the provision of diverse categories of EAS necessary for agroecological transitions remains limited, reflecting their minimal reorientation toward supporting such transitions. The EAS remain shaped by the conventional food system regime and linear models that rarely support agroecological transitions. This suboptimal performance of EAS threatens to sustain low levels of agroecological transitions.Practical implications EAS should transition from a simplistic, monofunctional orientation to a more complex, multifunctional approach suited to agroecological transitions. This entails effectively and holistically promoting all ten elements of agroecology, applying participatory approaches, empowering actors, supporting multiple sources of innovation, adopting a food system perspective, and managing agroecological innovation tasks. This would require not only individual behaviour change but also structural changes in the agricultural sector.Theoretical implications This study links the theoretical evolution of agriculture and EAS from a simple monofunctional focus to a more complex multifunctional orientation, and in doing so, conceptualizes an integrated scope of EAS for supporting agroecological transitions.Originality/Value This study developed a new, widened scope of EAS for supporting agroecology and empirically applies it as a framework to guide their assessment.