Creation of a Unified Institutional Framework for Agricultural Services
10. The current pattern of a large number of independent research and extension service operations covering different aspects of agricultural production, with little coordination or communication is inefficient and tends to produce a commodity specific focus. Establishing an effective institutional framework which will permit multi-disciplinary collaboration in research, extension and education and avoid duplication of efforts is an immediate priority. Key areas such as livestock and aquaculture have almost no field staff, while agriculture has over 10,000; none of whom is able to advise farmers on livestock or aquaculture issues. Nor are extension officers able to provide assistance for crops covered by other MOAI departments; still less for non-farm activities such as handicrafts or agro-processing. In addition, agricultural education curricula are not developed in association with research and extension services and have little relation to the needs of these institutions.