Aims and scope

International Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development is an open access online journal that publishes both academic and non-academic research articles. Multidisciplinary in nature, the primary purpose of the journal is to share knowledge on all aspects that contribute to sustainable rural development all over the world.

The following are the aims of the journal:

• It aims to share lessons and experiences on working with rural communities to improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods.

• It also intends to publish conceptual papers and empirical research that tests, extends, or builds agricultural extension theory and contributes to the practice of extension worldwide.

• The journal is dedicated to the cause of advancing understanding of extension systems through empirical investigations, theoretical analyses, and practical experiences.

• To provide authoritative reference that deals with extension systems in both emerging and developed economies. The content extends from the role of extension to organizational models and extension methodologies (use and impact of different methods and media, from the most traditional to innovative ICTs).

• Articles about linkages with education, applied research and knowledge creation are also welcome, to analyze how extension cooperates with agricultural policy, education, applied research, producers and other agents of the agri-food chains.

• Taking into account the growing difficulties generated by climate change, articles are invited about how extension is adapting its message and methods to deal with the effects of climate change, as well as with food security issues. Contributions are also invited about extension for non food contents: extension for the diversification of rural incomes, environment, agro-tourism, etc.

• Extension activities for special groups are invited: women, elderly, youth, ethnic minorities, as well as extension for rehabilitation after conflicts and natural disasters.

• Articles may also cover aspects related to the education of extension agents, their continuing education, job satisfaction, career prospects and eventually turn over. The management of advisory systems / agencies is another relevant issue: planning, monitoring and evaluation, with or without participatory methods.

• Articles may be research based, when primary data are used, with appropriate methods and adequate statistical analysis, or they may be literature based, when only pre-existing documents, also unpublished articles and books are used by the authors to elaborate their opinion.