Directions for Professional Development of Agricultural Extension Educators in Korea

농촌지도공무원(農村指導公務員)의 전문성(專門性) 향상(向上) 방안(方案)

Agricultural extension programs in Korea had focused mainly on increased production, and the biggest pride of extension was the achievement of rice self-sufficency in 1970s and abundant vegetable and animal production in 1980s. Farming in Korea has changed rapidly in recent years and extension system on commercialized crops have not been satisfactorily developed to mete farmers` demands. Facing the emerging challenges of international competition and trade liberalization for agricultural commodities, the goals of extension should be focused on increased income and the welfare of coral communities. The transfering of agricultural extension educator from central government jobs to local ones has emerged recently under the trends of localization which resulted unstable job environment of extension educator. Intensive pre-service and in-service training of extension workers on current and advanced techologies are essential to upgrade the quality of extension services, and the future directions for professional development of agricultural extension educators in Korea were suggested as follows: 1. Establishing a national network on agricultural extension system to promote exchanges of information among counties and provinces, to conduct meetings and to publish information on agricultural extension. 2. Determining the implications of recent national and global trends on agricultural extension, and strenthening communication at local, national and international levels for an effective extension system in the era of localization, internationalization and globalization; 3. Recognizing the effect of number and quality of extension staff on the impact of extension and providing opportunities development and advancement of extension personnel through education, training, incentives and rewards; 4. Giving a higher priority to agricultural extension in national policies in order to ensure the adequacy of budgetary support and recognition of importance of extension by the ministries concerned and mass communications.