Economics & Extension in Rapidly Changing Times: A View from the Outside

Abstract

It is often educational to compare two contrasting processes or things; for instance, we can define black from white, the process that includes from the process that excludes, and vice-versa. My own background is in natural sciences and from a completely different field than agriculture, but both are primary industries. We exploit and tame nature, doing it either manually or using more and more new technologies. The latter add value, increase productivity, but also leads to labor surpluses and social and economic issues. Thus, the differences are not black and white, rather different shades of grey. But, I will still use the comparative method to highlight differences and lead to some general conclusions as to what the economics of extension were, are and may look like in the future. To be honest, 1 know very little about agriculture, I am a newcomer to Sri Lanka, and I only have basic experience on extension, a process that is nearly the trademark of agriculturists. To make it clear too, this is not a speech, rather a chat I choose to illustrate the importance of extension with a recent industry, the marine aquaculture in Norway. This industry has had a development that is relatively easy to describe; it has happened in the last 20-30 years and has gone through many of the stages that old industries have experienced in centuries. Its present output in volume and value are enormous, and it is mostly an export-oriented industry to demanding markets. It is branded as an economic success by some, and as a large environmental evil by others. It creates a lot of (good and bad) envy, and the argumentation is often emotional.