Directions for the Implementation of Agricultural Extension Services in an Age of Localization

지방직화이후 새로운 농촌지사업의 추진방향

Agricultural extension services in Korea has experienced various system changes and accomplishments. The biggest achievement of extension was rice self-suffiency in the 1970s and abundant vegetable and animal production in the 1980s. The emerging challenges of international competition and localization are contributing to significant changes such as the decentralization of activities and shared responsibilities between the central government and local governments. Change, while it threatens the status quo, is a challenge and an opportunity to review and revamp ensconced and often rigid structures. In this sense, it is time to start a new era in agricultural extension. The development of agricultural extension requires keen appraisals and cogent analysis based on the realities of each specific regional situation. In order to develop agricultural extension services, the various aspects, the synthetic identification of its environments, the clarification of the client, the program development, and the effective mechanisms between research and extension must be considered. Especially, agricultural extension systems should be flexible and adjust to changing environments and the farmers' needs.