Advancing rural advisory services in Arab countries to promote market orientation and inclusive transformation

FAO

Advancing rural advisory services in Arab countries to promote market orientation and inclusive transformation

A regional study

Year of publication 2023

Place of publication Cairo, Egypt ;

Pages 64 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

ISBN 978-92-5-137913-4

Full item page

Synopsis (short abstract) Small-scale family farmers are the backbone of rural communities in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. Despite their extensive participation in the agricultural sector, these types of farmers and their farms are disproportionately affected by poverty, ultimately constituting about 70 percent of the poorliving in the region. Apart from adverse agroclimatic conditions, smallscale farmers experience several challenges that stem from their limited assets, land fragmentation and weak capacities, with negative impacts on their productivity, profitability and income. Specific constraints include low volume and quality of produce, high transaction costs, high costs of inputs, low prices and weak access to market information and postharvest facilities – all of which adds up to a limited ability to reach and compete in markets. Small-scale farmers need services that enable them to make informed decisions and facilitate their access to quality inputs, post-harvest facilities and more profitable markets. They also need to reinforce their capacities to act collectively and develop effective organizations that can articulate their demands, amplify their voice, and facilitate their access to services and markets. As a result of persisting gender-based social norms, women typically face more challenges than men in terms of owning assets, accessing quality inputs and services, reaching markets and achieving fair prices.

Cite this content as:

FAO. 2023. Advancing rural advisory services in Arab countries to promote market-orientation and inclusive transformation – A regional study. Rome.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cc6277en

Read on Google Books and buy online

Language English

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services 2024

Also available in:

Arabic

Arab Forum for Rural Advisory Services (AFRAS) is the first of its kind community of experts, champions, policy makers and practitioners from different sectors committed to advancing extension and Rural Advisory Services (RAS) across the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. With a clear vision of contributing to sustainable rural transformation and the Sustainable Development Goals, AFRAS actively fosters networking, knowledge sharing, and learning among RAS stakeholders in the Arab countries and beyond. AFRAS strives to create inclusive, gender-responsive, pluralistic, market-oriented, and demand-driven service systems, underscoring its commitment to catalyzing positive change and sustainable development in rural communities.
Policy brief
Advancing rural advisory services to promote market orientation in Jordan
Making rural services work for small-scale farmers
2022

Also available in:

Arabic

Rural advisory services play a crucial role in improving smallholders' livelihoods and reducing rural poverty by equipping farmers with the information, knowledge and skills needed to increase their productivity and profitability, to manage risks, and to engage effectively with markets. This entails diverse services that empower farmers to make informed decisions, manage their farms as sustainable businesses, and act collectively to improve economic operations. This wide range of rural advisory services that address agricultural productivity, as well as producers’ organizational, management and marketing capacities, are recognized as market-oriented services. Such diverse services are often provided by multiple service providers from public, private and civil society organizations who engage in the delivery of services in different forms and capacities. Recognizing and leveraging this plurality of service providers has the potential to enhance the quality of services and inclusivity of the service system, ensuring that effective services are accessible to small-scale farmers and responsive to their diverse needs. This policy brief highlights key considerations and recommendations for strengthening rural advisory services in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from a pluralistic and market-oriented system perspective.
Policy brief
Advancing rural advisory services to promote market orientation in Egypt
Making rural services work for small-scale farmers
2022

Also available in:

Arabic

Rural advisory services play a crucial role in improving smallholders’ livelihoods and reducing rural poverty by equipping farmers with the information, knowledge, and skills needed to increase their productivity and profitability, to manage risks, and to engage effectively with markets. This entails diverse services that empower farmers to make informed decisions, manage their farms as sustainable businesses, and act collectively to improve economic operations. This wide range of rural advisory services that address agricultural productivity, as well as producers’ organizational, management and marketing capacities, are recognized as market-oriented services. Such diverse services are often provided by multiple service providers from public, private, and civil society organizations who engage in the delivery of services in different forms and capacities. Recognizing and leveraging this plurality of service providers has the potential to enhance the quality of services and inclusivity of the service system, ensuring that effective services are accessible to small-scale farmers and responsive to their diverse needs.