Principle of agriculture extension By Mr Allah Dad Khan

2. Principle of Agriculture Extension
A Lecture By
Mr. Allah Dad Khan
Visiting Professor The University
of Agriculture Peshawar

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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
Extension is a two-way link

8. 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
Extension is a two-way link

9. 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
Extension is a two-way link

10. 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

11. 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
Extension cooperates with other
rural development organizations

12. Support organizations • Such as those which supply
agricultural or other inputs, credit facilities or
marketing services Principles of Extension
Extension cooperates with other
rural development organizations

13. 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
Extension cooperates with other
rural development organizations

14. 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
Extension cooperates with other
rural development organizations

15. Community development
Whose 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
Extension cooperates with other
rural development organizations

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19.  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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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