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Agricultural extension; decentralization; Mexico; rural poverty
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Full-Text Articles in Education
Decentralization Of Mexico’S Agricultural Extension Services And The Ongoing Struggle To Alleviate Rural Poverty, José M. Uscanga, M. Craig Edwards
Decentralization Of Mexico’S Agricultural Extension Services And The Ongoing Struggle To Alleviate Rural Poverty, José M. Uscanga, M. Craig Edwards
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education
Atendencytodecentralizenationalagriculturalextensionsystemsaroundtheworldcaughtmanycountriesunpreparedtorespondeffectivelytotheneedsofitsruralpopulationunderprivatizedapproachestoextensiondelivery,especiallyinregardtopovertyalleviation.MyriadinternalandexternalfactorsledMexicotodismantleitsnationalagriculturalextensionsysteminthe1990s,andadoptamoreprivatizedorcontractor-drivenapproach.Asaresult,significantchangesoccurredinthewayextensionserviceswereofferedtothepublicafterthesystem’sdecentralizationbyMexico’sfederalgovernment,althoughsomesimilaritiesremained.Afteralmosttwodecadesofdecentralization,theeffectivenessofthecurrentsystemhasbeenquestionedregardingitsprovisionofservicestomarginalizedgroupswhorepresentthemostimpoverishedofMexico’scitizens.Thishistoricalnarrativeaimedtounderstandthephenomenonbyexploringthecausesofdecentralization,comparingextensionservicedeliverybeforeandafterdecentralization,includingitsoutcome,privatizationofextensionservices,andsuggestdirectionsforimprovementinthefuture