National Agricultural Sector Extension Policy (NASEP), June 2012.

The National Agricultural Sector Extension Policy (NASEP) spells out modalities for effective management and organization of agricultural extension in a pluralistic system where both public and private service providers are active participants. The new policy provides a point of reference for service providers and other stakeholders on standards, ethics and approaches, and guides all players on how to strengthen coordination, partnership and collaboration. The success of the implementation of this policy will depend on the commitment of all sector players: public and private sector service providers, farmers, fisherfolk, pastoralists, ranchers and development partners. Implementation of this policy will contribute towards improved transfer of technology and management for higher agricultural sector productivity, a key prerequisite to poverty reduction and enhanced food and nutrition security (pag. ii).
A well-functioning agricultural extension service operated by the public and private sectors is one of the critical inputs required for increased agricultural productivity to transform subsistence farming into modern and commercial farming, attain food security, improve incomes and reduce The extension service is therefore one of the critical change agents required to transform subsistence farming to modern and commercial agriculture. This is critically important in promoting household food security, improving incomes and reducing poverty (pag. 4).
The implementation of this policy will contribute towards improved transfer of technology and management for higher agricultural sector productivity, a key prerequisite to poverty reduction and enhanced food and nutrition security. Its Vision aims at delivering extension services which must respond and adapt to the changing macro-economic policies and prevailing global trends. The extension policy will guide the evolution of new institutional arrangements and alternative service providers without compromising the quality of services to farmers. In addition to spelling out principles to guide the development of new extension services for the country, the policy has outlined the vision and objective to be fulfilled by the Based on this vision, the key objective will be: ‘To empower the extension clientele through sharing information, imparting knowledge and skills, and changing attitudes so that they can efficiently manage their resources for improved quality of livelihoods’ (pag. 25).
Sustainable environment and natural resources management aims at establishing that all Extension Service Providers will mainstream environment and natural resources-related issues in extension messages by imparting knowledge on several issues, such as: importance of community disaster preparedness and link them with relevant institutions involved in early warning and disaster preparedness (pag. 38).