ENHANCING FARMER-CENTERED ADVISORY SERVICES: BRIDGING TRAINING GAPS AND PROMOTING ADAPTIVE EXTENSION IN ALBANIA

Ylli Biçoku and Medin Zeqiri

International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research, 2025, vol. 11, issue 6

Abstract: Agricultural extension in Albania plays a pivotal role in supporting farmers’ adoption of improved practices. Based on a survey of 66 extensionists, this study identifies critical training gaps, preferred advisory modalities, and misalignments between extension supply and farmer demand. Findings reveal that on-farm visits (92.4%) and demonstrations (69.7%) remain the dominant approaches, yet farmers increasingly value personalized consultations (98.5% preference) and group discussions (84.8%). Extensionists, on the other hand, continue to emphasize demonstrations and field visits as central tools. This divergence highlights the need for adaptive, farmer-centered strategies that balance traditional methods with modern, participatory, and digital advisory approaches. The study contributes original survey-based evidence from Albania, filling a gap in extension literature from Southeast Europe, and offers practical policy recommendations for strengthening advisory systems.

Keywords: Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:ijaeri:396331

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.396331

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