Malawi's agricultural extension system has been subjected to a number of criticisms in recent times for failing to contribute significantly to agricultural development and for not responding to the needs of the smallholder farmers. Despite this, extension is still seen as key to improving poverty and rural livelihoods.There is a number of challenges facing extension that require a response from the public sector and other stakeholders. A clear and positive response to these challenges will help

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... shape the future of agricultural extension in Malawi for the benefit of all farmers and the attainment of the broad policy objectives of government: democratization, market liberalization, decentralization, HIV/AIDS crisis, shrinking public sector resources, public sector reform, and co-ordination, etc. The mission is to provide pluralistic demand driven extensions services and promote equalisation and co-ordination in service provision in order to achieve food security at household level, there-by reducing poverty. On the other hand the vision is that 'All farmers' demand and access high quality extension services from those best able to provide them'. DAES implements its extension policy through the District Agricultural Extension Services System (DAESS), based on Model Village Approach.