The Changing Relationship Between Private and Public Sector Agricultural Extension in Australia

A changing agricultural extension environment has seen the private sector in Australia assuming an increased responsibility for the delivery of agricultural information to farmers. This paper is a "work in progress" report of a project being undertaken, with RIRDC funding, to document the public and private sector organisations involved in agricultural extension in Australia and the extent of the co-operation and linkages between them. It reviews the changing roles of the R & D corporations, the restructuring of the state departments of agriculture and the increasing private sector involvement in agricultural extension activities. The highlights some of the innovative approaches that are being taken to foster the links between the sectors. With regard to experience from other countries, it discusses issues that are affecting, or have the potential to affect, the flow of information between the sectors, and hence ultimately to farmers.