Amplifying the Impact of Agricultural Technologies through Strengthened Extension
Austen Moore, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Abstract: Globally there exist numerous promising agricultural technologies that can help boost agricultural productivity and reduce poverty among the world’s smallholder farmers. However, reaching farmers and promoting the adoption of agricultural innovations poses a major challenge in poor countries. Interventions and investments to improve extension can leverage agricultural technologies and help them scale to large amounts of farmers. This presentation presents evidence on effective extension improvement approaches based on the experience of the AgReach Program at the University of Illinois and its USAID-funded extension strengthening efforts that have involved more than 50 countries.
Bio: Austen’s passion for agricultural extension led him to the University of Illinois where he now serves as the Deputy Project Director for the Strengthening Agriculture and Nutrition Extension Services Activity (SANE) in Malawi. After serving with the Peace Corps in East Timor, Austen returned to the US to complete his doctoral studies at the University of Florida at Gainesville. Dr. Moore holds a PhD in Agricultural Education and Communication with a specialization in International Agricultural Extension. Dr. Moore is well published on subjects such as agricultural extension systems and approaches, community-led development, and post-conflict agriculture. While an accomplished academic, Dr. Moore is also an experienced development practitioner who spends several months of the year in the field, working on the ground, with our project team in Malawi. Austen is passionate about his work and is always looking for opportunities to build local capacity, improve food security, and empower farmers and rural people.
