The systemic approach in extension

from hard system to soft systems

Abstract

This paper describes the importance of a system approach for rural extension in order to face current complex problems in agriculture. The word system has been used with confusion. Systems thinking and practices emerged as a reaction to reductionism in research and extension. Hard systems approaches seek to design new situation in agriculture with more sustainability and productivity (farming system approach). Soft systems approaches represent a new paradigm where the system approach is found in the way of investigatin the world. In rural Extention the challange is to construct and operationalise this new paradigm. The interaction between the different actors involved in an Agricultural knowledge and information systems (researchers, extention agents, farmers and peasants) should follow a people centred pattern. This means that clients define he problems, needs and potentials, and the intervention from outside facilitate the process, through participative methodologies and technical options.