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Public Goods and Privatized Extension-the Rocky Road towards Agro-Environmental Extension

Ten years after privatising agricultural extension in Brandenburg (North-eastern Germany) the political and economic conditions for integrating public goods issues have taken a change for the worse. The precarious financial and institutional structure of agro-environmental projects, government’s loss of influence on extension strategies and contents, and a lack of linkages between important regional and local organisations are characteristics of the so-called "Brandenburg Path” of agriculture and extension. Based on the situation analysis in two model regions of the GRANO research-programme "Approaches for Sustainable Agriculture in the North-eastern Brandenburg", the paper shows how farmers and extension workers view questions of sustainability, policy-instruments, and the chosen way of extension. Strengths and weaknesses of the privately organised extension system in Brandenburg will be analysed particularly in view of public goods issues. The focus is laid on linkages and funds, the main shortcomings to be overcome within Brandenburg. Looking at Dutch extension experiences, allowes to identify some of the reasons for shortcomings within the Agro-environmental Knowledge System of Brandenburg.