EAS for Economic Development—What is Missing in Canada and How Can CAREE Help?

Extension and advisory services (EAS) are widely recognized as drivers of farm profitability, productivity, technical efficiency, and rural economic development. Drawing on international evidence from 2004 to 2024, this paper shows that well-designed EAS often generate measurable economic gains, including higher farm income, improved efficiency, and strong returns on investment. However, Canada lacks farm-level, peer-reviewed evidence quantifying the economic impacts of EAS, despite its pluralistic advisory system. This evidence gap limits policy learning, investment justification, and program accountability. The paper argues that CAREE can help address this gap by convening stakeholders, supporting evaluation, and advancing evidence-based EAS policy in Canada.