Chinese Agriculture and Agro-Extension: A Reference Book for International Agro-Training in China, Edited By NIE CHUANG. CHINA AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PRESS, BEIJING - CHINA, 2006. ISBN 7-80233-065-3. 411 PP.

Abstract

Chinese agriculture and agro-extension reference book for international agro-training in China attempted to analyse the presence of reliable agro-extension services. The book has led to massive transformations particularly in the rural areas and contributed to rural agricultural development and increased households’ incomes through agricultural practices. The agro-extension services covered are on soil management and fertilizer utilisation, seed production and management particularly the best practices on seed production, quality control, processing and handling technologies as well as marketing, food security and rice production. The authors highlight the achievement made by the country towards improving food security through adequate grain production; issues of agricultural bio-technology and its management and the analysis of agricultural related laws in China. Despite of the achievement in the agro-extension reforms, however, the reforms made were not immune to challenges which at some point limit the progress made though it provide more room for learning. The key challenges included budgetary constraints, lack of good facilities and equipment for agriculture, role conflicts, lack of staff career development opportunities and low profitability rate among smallholder farmers. To curb the stipulated challenges, the Chinese government made initiatives to improve food security by considering food security as the top priority in policy making, adjusting land management systems, market orientation reforms, emphasising diversified agriculture and promotion of self reliance policy. Third world countries which rely on Agricultural countries should copy agro-extension approaches to ensure productivity and income for the households..