Factors limiting the effectiveness of extension service systems in developing countries: An analysis of evidence from Sri Lanka's coconut sub-sector

Coconut is an important crop in the Sri Lanka economy, in part due to the fact that nearly 20 per cent of the country's cultivated land is planted with this crop. Yet, the coconut sub-sector's contribution to the economy has not been satisfactory. Recognizing this, successive governments have introduced several measures to assist its development. The provision of extension services through a regional office network is one such measure. Although this traditional prescription has a role to play in the development process of the coconut sub-sector a wide range of factors, some internal and some external to the extension service system, appear to limit the effectiveness of the system. Among the internal factors, assignment of high priority non-extension duties to the extension personnel and mono-crop orientation of the system are significant while, of the external factors, peculiar characteristics of the coconut palm itself, lack of high-yielding varieties in adequate quantities and macro-economic policies which tend to depress the producer prices appear to be significant.