After decades of limited research into agricultural extension and advisory services (AEAS) in Canada, particularly in Ontario, a significant gap is being addressed by the Capacity Development and Extension Program at the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD), University of Guelph. Led by Dr. Ataharul Chowdhury, this research group has recently published a pivotal study shedding light on the performance and quality of Ontario’s pluralistic advisory system.
This groundbreaking research, titled “How do agricultural advisory services meet the needs of farmers? Applying Q-methodology to assessing multi-stakeholders’ perspectives on the pluralistic advisory system in Ontario, Canada,” published in the Journal of Rural Studies, delves into the subjective viewpoints of farmers and agricultural advisory professionals. Using Q-methodology, the study identified three distinct perspectives on the system’s performance: quality-oriented, governance and quality-oriented, and governance, method, and quality-oriented.
Key findings highlight critical challenges within the current pluralistic AEAS, including issues of information bias, redundancy, inconsistency, and coordination difficulties among providers. The research also points to a greater focus on large supply chains and innovative farmers, raising questions about the support for small and medium-sized producers. Conversely, the study emphasizes the timely services and feedback opportunities offered by the private sector.
This research, funded by the Ontario Agri-food Innovation Alliance, Canada, provides crucial insights for policymakers aiming to design a more unified and dynamic AEAS in the future. It underscores the ongoing relevance of public investment in agricultural extension for enhancing the social, organizational, and economic value of these services.
Join us at the upcoming conference to explore these findings further and discuss their implications for the future of Extension and Advisory Services in Ontario and beyond.
Read more: Chowdhury, A. & Kabir, K.H. (2024). How do agricultural advisory services meet the needs of farmers? Applying Q-methodology to assessing multi-stakeholders’ perspectives on the pluralistic advisory system in Ontario, Canada. Journal of Rural Studies. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2023.103186
You can watch the following videos to understand the concept and highlights of the findings.
- Extension and Advisory Services in Ontario Part 1: YouTube Link (Please search for “Extension and Advisory Services in Ontario Part 1 University of Guelph” to find the specific video)
- Extension and Advisory Services in Ontario Part 2: YouTube Link (Please search for “Extension and Advisory Services in Ontario Part 2 University of Guelph” to find the specific video)
- Extension and Advisory Services in Ontario Part 3: YouTube Link (Please search for “Extension and Advisory Services in Ontario Part 3 University of Guelph” to find the specific video)
