Principle of agriculture extension By Mr Allah Dad Khan

Principle of Agriculture ExtensionA Lecture By

Mr. Allah Dad Khan Visiting Professor The University

of Agriculture Peshawar

The aim of extension is not to provide personal service but to work with people and to teach them how to do things for themselves Only the people themselves can make the decisions about the way they will farm or live – not the extension agent Rural people can make wise decisions if they are given full information including alternative solutions – by making decisions, people gain self-confidence People have more confidence in programs and decisions which have made themselves than in those which are imposed upon them Principles of Extension

Extension works with people, not for them

Extension agents are accountable to their senior officers and to the government department that determines rural development policies Extension is the servant of rural people and has the responsibility to fulfill the needs of the people in its area One measure of effectiveness is how well policies and plans are carried out Another measure of effectiveness is the extent to which incomes and living standards of the rural people have increased as a result of extension work Extension therefore is based on the people’s needs, as well as on technical and national economic needs – extension agent’s task is to bring these needs together Principles of Extension

Extension is accountable to its clients

Extension recognizes that not all farmers in one area have the same problems Different groups need to be identified and the agent need to develop programs appropriate to each group In the past, efforts were concentrated on progressive farmer who was expected to spread the new idea – but this does not always work because progressive farmers have different problems, they usually have more land, education and more involved in marketing their produce Smallest and poorest farmers will need particular attention – they may lack needed resources to become involved in extension activities Principles of Extension

Extension works with different target groups

Extension is not a one-way process in which agent transfers knowledge and ideas to farmers and their families Advices/information are often based upon the findings of agricultural and other research stations Extension should be ready to receive farmers’ ideas, suggestions or advice Principles of Extension

Extension is a two-way link

When the problem is being identified • Extension agent can help research workers to understand the farming problems of the area and the limitations under which farmers have to work • It is even better if the agent can bring researchers into direct contact with farmers in order to ensure that research recommendations are relevant to farmers’ needs Principles of Extension


When recommendations are being tested in the field • A new farm practice of crop variety might produce good results at a research station but do not do so well on farmers’ field • Trail on farmers’ fields are an opportunity to test research recommendations and provide feedback for research staff Principles of Extension


When farmers put recommendations into practice • Sometimes farmers discover problems with a recommendation which the research station failed to note • With the feedback, the recommendations can be adjusted accordingly Principles of Extension


Within the rural areas, extension services and agents should work closely with the other organizations that provide essential services to farmers and their families Extension is only one aspect of the many economic, social and political activities that seek to produce change for the better in rural society Extension must be prepared to collaborate with all other such organizations both government and non-government and to take them into account when preparing to implement extension policies It is also important that agent in the field know what his colleagues in other services and government departments are doing, and that they understand what he is doing. Close cooperation not only avoids duplication but provides opportunities for integrated farm programs. Principles of Extension

Extension cooperates with other rural development organizations

Political institutions • Including political leaders whose active local support will help the extension agent, who may thereby be brought into closer touch with local farmers Principles of Extension


Support organizations • Such as those which supply agricultural or other inputs, credit facilities or marketing services Principles of Extension


Health services • So that extension agent is kept aware of local health problems, particularly nutritional levels • Agricultural development and nutrition are closely related and the agent must keep closely in touch with health programs and projects and adapt his program to conform to local health requirements Principles of Extension


Local Schools So that the agent can have early access to the farmers of the future, and begin to equip them with the knowledge and skills required for farming Principles of Extension


Community developmentWhose objectives will be very similar to the educational work of extension Extension agents often work very closely with community development workers to break down local social and cultural barriers to change, and to encourage community action programs. Principles of Extension


People differ in thinking, living and culture Extension education methods should be in line with these differences It is difficult to recognize non-material culture than material culture The blue print of extension program for one area may not suit to other areas Changes will have to be made in the programs according to changing situations Principles of Extension

Principle of cultural difference

Culture undergoes change due to extension Change occurs otherwise also Extension workers should gain the confidence of people Extension workers should organize result demonstration After increasing production, the Extension workers should concentrate on marketing Extension workers have to change to meet the cultural changes among the people Principles of Extension

Principle of cultural change

Extension workers should pay attention to all the groups’ needs and interests Imposed innovations have no relevance to groups People will accept the innovations only when they find those useful Principles of Extension

Principle of grass-root organization

People should voluntarily participate Work should start from interests and needs of people Fulfillment of needs create interests First concentrate on felt needs and then develop felt needs Principles of Extension

Principle of interests and needs

Attachment will not develop by offering ready made things Participation develops leadership and increases confidence Involving leaders increases people’s participation Principles of Extension

Principle of participation

People differ in knowledge and understanding Method should vary accordingly Use of more than one method is beneficial If needed new methods must be devised to meet new situations Principles of Extension

Principle of adaptability in the use of teaching methods

Extension workers should utilize local leadership for increasing speed of work Identification, training and encouragement of leaders is necessary Principles of Extension

Principle of leadership

Agricultural and other sciences are developing speedily Maintaining competency in any of these sciences is a continuous process Without specialist’s support the extension cannot strive SMS is responsible to solve the extension workers problems Subjects Matter Specialist (SMS) is a link between research and application of research SMS should have broad outlook and be well versed Principles of Extension

Principle of trained specialists

The extension program should give satisfaction to the people People will not participate if they do not get satisfaction Principles of Extension

Principle of satisfaction

Extension work should reach all the family members Neglecting any member may result in rejection of innovations Principles of Extension

Principle of whole-family approach

Determining the research results in unbiased way is necessary Intermittent review of progress is necessary Corrective measures are needed if the direction is found wrong Behavioral changes should be measured Evaluation helps in improving the quality of work Principles of Extension

Principle of evaluation

People have freedom to accept or reject the technology Applied agricultural Science is a two way process Principles of Extension

Principle of applied science and democracy

Extension program are for the people by the people The idea behind the extension work is the coming together of the rural people and the extension workers for social upliftment The extension programs should be the people’s program with government aid Most members of the village community will willingly co-operative in carrying out a project All should co-operate and help each other for this task of social upliftment Principles of Extension

Principle of cooperation

Education

Principle of agriculture extension By Mr Allah Dad Khan