Abstract
The agricultural sector in India has experienced significant changes over the years, creating new challenges amidst rapid population growth. To meet the increasing demand for food, enhancing agricultural production through diverse strategies is essential, with pluralistic approaches to Extension and Advisory Services (EAS) playing a critical role. EAS provides technical, organizational, business, and management support to farmers and vulnerable communities, helping to improve their socio-economic status. Pluralism within extension services involves multiple service providers from government, private, and civil society sectors working together to offer a variety of services by pooling resources, technology, and expertise. Public sector extension providers alone cannot meet the diverse needs of rural populations due to financial and operational limitations. The rise of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and private service providers has positively influenced the advisory sector by expanding the reach and quality of services. This study aims to explore the impact of pluralism on agricultural extension outcomes and provide evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the role of various stakeholders in delivering critical advisory services for sustainable agricultural development.
Keywords: Advisory services, Agricultural Extension, Coordination, Pluralism.