Agricultural extension is one component in an array including research, training, education, marketing, international trade, etc. which develop together to bring about growth, and sustained growth determines the priorities for extension. These priorities depend inevitably on the stage of development of a country or region, and on the current environment in which extension operates. Priorities for extension include: (1) establishing appropriate systems, based on sound management principles (as embodied by World Bank's Training and Visit system); (2) promoting extension as a major development resource to governments and farmers, to ensure that the necessary resources are provided to carry out its true functions; (3) combining research, extension, and training projects to overcome the problem of inefficient information dissemination systems; (4) training field workers to identify and select applicable technology for local farmers; (5) building and sustaining quality manpower (by offering education, training, and incentives at all levels); (6) educating farmers and other clients to eliminate barriers between them and the technology and research they receive; and (7) reducing the costs of extension without compromising its effectiveness (working with groups instead of individuals, careful use of mass media and computers--privatization and developments in communication technology hold promise for cutting costs and improving effectiveness). (JMM)