This publication reviews key trends and policy developments aimed at reforming agricultural extension systems, in order to address issues of food security, poverty alleviation and rural sustainable development. It highlights the importance of the public sector in promoting rural development through extension and communication. A number of recommendations are made for developing countries, which seek to encourage institutional reforms and dialogue among diverse providers of extension services, all aimed at advancing livelihoods and income generation of poor rural people.

The main objective of the study is to examine the impact of agricultural extension in the development of Eritrean agriculture and minimizing the rural poverty in Eritrea. The study focuses on the incidence of poverty, theoretical background of agriculture extension, and some significant factors that could improve the efficiency of agricultural extension. It is evident that most of the poverty alleviation policies in Eritrea are directed towards agriculture in rural areas, as vast human resources in this country are under the plow. To meet the needs of the growing population, this country needs to adopt new techniques/methods for rapid agricultural development. Besides, this study also prescribes some necessary steps to develop agricultural extension in order to increase agricultural production and eventually to minimize the high level of poverty in the country.

In most developing countries, poverty is more widespread and severe in rural than in urban areas. The author reviews some important aspects of rural poverty and draws key implications for public policy. He presents a policy framework for reducing poverty, taking into account the functional differences and overlap between the rural poor. Several policy options are delineated and explained, including stable management of the macroeconomic environment, transfer of assets, investment in and access to the physical and social infrastructure, access to credit and jobs, and provision of safety nets. Finally, some guideposts are identified for assessing strategies to reduce rural poverty.

The study draws on evidence from India and a range of countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to argue that agricultural extension has an essential role in helping farmers to reach into new, often global, markets. There should be a comprehensive strategy within agricultural extension to address low-income agricultural households in the context of their wider livelihoods and not merely as commodity producers.

Reviews causes of poverty in rural areas and presents a policy framework for reducing rural poverty, including through land reform, public works programs, access to credit, physical and social infrastructure, subsidies, and transfer of technology. Identifies key elements for drafting a policy to reduce rural poverty.