Summary
This paper presents the evolution of China's Agricultural Technology Extension (ATE) System since its inception in 1920s. China's ATE system has gone through 5 stages before the current system was formed. It evolved from basic-level extension network in 1950s, mid-level extension organizations in 1960s, gradually into nation-wide extension system in 1980s. The participative extension network was reconstructed during "the Cultural Revolution" period. The reform of extension system of China has been intensified since 1992 and the five-level Agricultural Technology Extension organizations were basically established. Compared with those previous ones, the current extension system is much better in its setting hierarchy, functions and extension efficiency. However, at present, China's ATE system is also facing such problems as investment deficiency, low-quality and redundant extension team, failure to meet the market needs and government domination, etc. Based on these problems, some reform directions and measures to perfect China's ATE system are proposed.
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Agricultural Technology Extension System in China: Current Situation and Reform Direction
1. THE HISTORY AND STATUS QUO OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY EXTENSION (ATE) SYSTEM IN CHINA
1.1 HistoryThe history of agricultural extension system of China can be traced back to 1920s when the agricultural departments of many universities set up extension sections by imitating the model of Land Grant College of the United States. For example, the department of agriculture and forestry of Jinling University established cotton extension section in 1920 and recruited an expert from the U. S Ministry of Agriculture to instruct cotton breeding research and localization of US cotton breed in China. The extension of the new cotton breeds was initiated and agricultural improvement methods were disseminated nation-wide. The first formal extension station came into existence in 1924, which was located at Wujiang, He County, Annui province. The extension work was very popular with the local farmers, which provided a good basis for the establishment of agricultural experiment station later. The first law of extension, Regulation of Agro-extension, was enacted in October, 1929 and the central agro-extension committee was formed in that December.After the establishment of People's Republic of China, the central government formulated a series of policies and administrative pronouncements to promote the construction of nation-wide ATE organizations. By mid-1950s, the comparatively complete ATE system had been established in China. Generally speaking, the ATE system has gone through 5 stages to adapt to the change of production relationship in rural areas and make explorative advancement in last 50 years:Stage I: The basic-level network of agricultural extension was established (1949-1957). The inception of the basic -level extension network was centered on the county-based demonstration farm and based on the Mutual Help Group. Its cadres were model laborers and technicians. Later, the area-based ATE stations were widely established to form the...See the full content of this document
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