VISION AND PURPOSE
There is a race between population growth and the food production required to feed this growth. A significant challenge, but one which can be met. Through the work of a small army of scientists and agriculturalists across the globe, a deeper understanding of creation is enabling us to produce more and more food, with less and less resources. But scientific discovery itself will not be enough. New ideas and better technologies need to be shared and demonstrated, especially in areas of the world where smallholder farmers eke out a living from agriculture.
The process of sharing, teaching, and demonstrating the latest solutions of agricultural science is often termed “agricultural extension”. However, systems of agricultural extension are frequently ineffective in the developing world. This creates huge opportunity for community organizations (civic or religious institutions) which are ideally positioned to act as a conduit through which advances in agricultural science can reach smallholder farmers who could benefit. East Gate Extension (EGX) uses existing community networks to bridge the gap between the struggles of smallholder farmers and the solutions of science. We assess local agricultural production constraints, identify the best science and expertise for the needs of each unique agricultural production system, then equip community organizations to transfer this knowledge through demonstration farms, seminars, and literature.
How it Started
A few years ago, Nathan experienced several chance conversations with missionaries on furlough in the US, seeking advice about agricultural issues on behalf of the communities in which they served. It was odd that they would be looking for expertise back in US for problems half a world away, while sound advice and agricultural technologies were most likely present in the very nations for which they sought assistance. Nathan began to wonder if there might be a breakdown between those looking for agricultural solutions and expertise, and the scientists and researchers who possessed those solutions and expertise.
Curious to take a closer look at this gap between universities or research centers advancing agricultural science, and the smallholder subsistence farmers who could benefit substantially from these new advancements, Nathan spent the next couple years talking with those looking for help, and those who could provide it. A survey was developed and conducted to verify the agricultural and food security needs being described by missionaries and others working in the developing world. From three missions organizations surveyed to date, the response is categorically, YES, there is great need for improving agricultural productivity; AND those seeking expertise were very often unaware of the resources and expertise available to help improve productivity. ADDITIONALLY, Nathan sought out researchers from universities across the US, working on agricultural issues across the developing world. Their perspective was even more intriguing. Over the course of conversations with dozens of scientists, each and every one of them confirmed the HUGE need to transfer the latest agricultural science to the poor farmers whom it would benefit most, and that the process of transferring knowledge is often insufficient.