[TimorLesteStudies] New Article: NGOs, Pluralism and Advisory Services - Timor Leste

[Max Kelly]

Max Kelly (2012): NGOs, Pluralism and Advisory Services—Timor Leste,
The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension,  Published online
19/12/2012, http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1389224X.2012.741527.


ABSTRACT
Purpose: This article analyses the role, approach, issues and opportunities
faced by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the promotion of
agriculture in Timor Leste from
independence through to the countrywide roll out of a public extension
service in 2009.

Design/methodology/approach: The research draws on semi-structured
interviews with NGO personnel, local, national and international, actively
involved in agricultural development to
ascertain how organisations engage with communities, their objectives,
inputs, coverage and impacts. The analysis is based on the framework
developed by Birner et al. (2009) for pluralistic
advisory services, and the discussion is framed by contemporary NGO
discourse.

Findings: This article argues that NGOs have a central role in agricultural
development, with particular advantages that can be built upon, however
there must be explicit acknowledgement of
the complex nature of the NGO and civil society, and a critical awareness
of the need for strategic thinking, communication and coordination for
effective aid.

Practical implication: NGOs play a central role in agricultural
development. There is a need for a more nuanced understanding of the
opportunities and limitations of the NGO sector, both as
service providers but also more broadly as part of civil society.

Originality/value: Funding directed to the NGO sector for implementation of
development projects is prolific. There is substantial discourse on
partnerships between NGOs and other actors.
However, little of the debate appears within discussions on agricultural
service provision.

KEY WORDS: Timor Leste, Non-governmental organisations, Pluralistic
agricultural advisory
services, Civil society

-- 
===================================
*Dr Max Kelly*
Lecturer, International Development
Faculty of Arts,
*Deakin University*
Warrnambool, VIC 3280
Australia.

Phone: +61 (0) 355633316
Mobile +61 (0)409 350719
E-mail: max at deakin.edu.au
Website: http://www.deakin.edu.au
Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code 00113B (Vic)

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