The middle category of farmers received public extension services through mass media, farmers’ organizations, and information networks. The project supported publications from various agricultural institutions and it also funded a large number of group advisory sessions conducted by farmers and federation advisers or by private advisers in response to requests made by county councils and/or farmers’ groups. In addition, the project supported the establishment of an Agricultural Information Coordinating Center (AICC) and an Internet-based agricultural information network connecting the farming community to rural advisers, the ministry, and other domestic and international resources for information. The central portal and Web site of the AICC (http://www.epk.ee) is maintained and continually updated under a contractual arrangement with the Foundation for Rural Development. A large number of marginal farmers (about 6,500) need information on both farming and alternative employment opportunities. Rural Information Centers (RICs) in almost all communities, linked to the AICC, provide this information electronically. The project has supported the establishment of RICs with training for staff and provision of computers and office equipment. The information activity has strong links with other initiatives, including banks, insurance companies, and commercial companies promoting their services through the Internet. The ministry provides printed information for RICs and electronic information through the AICC. Benefits and Impacts Over the project period, 13,572 private advisory contracts were approved. The number peaked at 2,894 in 1998 and then declined to 2,689 in 1999, 2,350 in 2000, and 1,410 in 2001. The number of active certified advisers participating in the scheme declined from a high of 189 in 1997 to 69 as of September 2002 (with 10 more waiting to be certified). Reasons for the decline include: the emergence of private input suppliers furnishing “free” topical advice; the establishment of private advisers who prefer to operate outside the state-supported system; and the increase in farmers’ basic know-how and a subsequent decline in their need for advice. Most advisers have expertise in plant production (29 percent), animal husbandry (20 percent), or farm economics (36 percent), with only a limited number experienced in fields such as forestry, marketing, or business planning. About two-thirds of current certified advisers are part-time and hold other jobs as well (for example, university teachers, researchers, private farmers). Many of the advisers who left the advisory support system are employed with private companies. Dairying is the dominant farming system and, with project support, has become quite profitable: average net farm incomes increased by an estimated 35 percent during the five years of the project. Farmers increased their knowledge in grain production and animal husbandry, and they adopted improved agricultural practices, especially in plant protection, animal nutrition, and fodder production. There is now broad understanding and acceptance among farmers that advisory services have to be paid for by the beneficiaries. Annual customer satisfaction surveys, conducted in 1996 through 2000, showed very high levels of satisfaction with the advice given (more than 90 percent), and more than one-half of the respondents indicated that they continue to buy advice.
  
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