1. Dr R P Singh
Associate Director Extension Education
Group Led
Extension :
An Effective Means
For Promotion Of
INM, IPM And IDM
Technologies

2. A way of disseminating
information and
technologies on
Agricultural and Rural
development through
group of farmers
It aims to develop local
skills and empower
local people to solve
their own problems
What is Group Led Extension?

3. Reasons for Group Led ExtensionReasons for Group Led Extension
EfficiencyEfficiency
EffectivenessEffectiveness
Collective actionCollective action
EquityEquity

4. Personalized or Group led extension ?Personalized or Group led extension ?
 Does the problem……….Does the problem……….
Require many steps to solveRequire many steps to solve
Have many partsHave many parts
Require much technical informationRequire much technical information
Need wide range of ideasNeed wide range of ideas
Require much timeRequire much time
Involve many solutionsInvolve many solutions
Involve considerable difficultiesInvolve considerable difficulties
Take into account the attitudes ofTake into account the attitudes of
individual / groupindividual / group
Carry a risk factorCarry a risk factor
 If YES… Go for Group led extensionIf YES… Go for Group led extension

5. Why the People Join a group?Why the People Join a group?
Group synergy
Support and Commitment
Interpersonal needs
Distributes the responsibility for a
given task
Effective communication
Regulate the interactions
Group work provides for trustful
environment

6. Why Farmers Groups / Organizations ?Why Farmers Groups / Organizations ?
 Build interactions between extension andBuild interactions between extension and
farming communityfarming community
 Extension from farmer to farmer is possibleExtension from farmer to farmer is possible
 Enable farmers to organize themselves forEnable farmers to organize themselves for
action or to share resourcesaction or to share resources
 Analyze farmers problems with extensionAnalyze farmers problems with extension
supportsupport
 More services can be made available toMore services can be made available to
farmers through a single pointfarmers through a single point
 Provide more effective learningProvide more effective learning
environmentenvironment

7. Benefits of Farmer groupsBenefits of Farmer groups
Share the farm implements, machinery, plantingShare the farm implements, machinery, planting
material and other resourcesmaterial and other resources
Organize different servicesOrganize different services
Share ideas, experiences and problemsShare ideas, experiences and problems
Make extension services more client drivenMake extension services more client driven
Strengthen bargaining power with tradersStrengthen bargaining power with traders
Provide a forum for extension agents to introduceProvide a forum for extension agents to introduce
technologiestechnologies
Reduce public extension costReduce public extension cost
Seek advices from different organizationsSeek advices from different organizations
Disseminate information to wide spectrum ofDisseminate information to wide spectrum of
usersusers
Group efforts usually have social approvalGroup efforts usually have social approval

8. Types of GroupsTypes of Groups
• Self Help GroupsSelf Help Groups
• Farmer Interest Groups /Farmer Interest Groups /
Commodity InterestCommodity Interest
GroupsGroups
• Rythu Mitra groups /Rythu Mitra groups /
Farmers clubsFarmers clubs
• Water User AssociationsWater User Associations
• Vana SamrakshanaVana Samrakshana
SamithisSamithis
• Livestock BreedersLivestock Breeders
AssociationAssociation
• Dairy cooperativesDairy cooperatives

9.  Area / Resource development GroupsArea / Resource development Groups
• Watershed committees / AssociationsWatershed committees / Associations
• Water User AssociationsWater User Associations
• Vana Samraksshana SamithisVana Samraksshana Samithis
 Groups with a purpose of service deliveryGroups with a purpose of service delivery
• Mothers committeeMothers committee
• School education committees / Village educationSchool education committees / Village education
committeescommittees
 Groups with focus on individual growthGroups with focus on individual growth
• Women SHGs / DWCRA groupsWomen SHGs / DWCRA groups
• Youth groupsYouth groups
 Commodity Interest GroupsCommodity Interest Groups
• Rythu Mithra Groups ( RMGs) /Rythu Mithra Groups ( RMGs) / Farmers clubsFarmers clubs
• Livestock Breeders Association / Dairy cooperativesLivestock Breeders Association / Dairy cooperatives

10. Adjourning
Task
Performing
Forming
Storming
Norming
FARMER
GROUPS
FORMATION

11. Farmer Groups Performance depend on….Farmer Groups Performance depend on….
Communication and Cooperation in the groupCommunication and Cooperation in the group
Shared leadership and leadership emergenceShared leadership and leadership emergence
Interpersonal work group processInterpersonal work group process
Intra group trustIntra group trust
Workload sharingWorkload sharing
External conditions imposed on the groupExternal conditions imposed on the group
Group member resourcesGroup member resources
Group structure –Group structure – leadership, roles, norms, status, sizeleadership, roles, norms, status, size
Goal clarityGoal clarity
OpennessOpenness
FeedbackFeedback
Group taskGroup task

12. Extension agency factors that influence…Extension agency factors that influence…
Technical capabilities of extensionTechnical capabilities of extension
staffstaff
Staff’s people skills in managingStaff’s people skills in managing
groupsgroups
Staff attitudes and commitment toStaff attitudes and commitment to
groupsgroups
Approaches usedApproaches used
Means or Ends distinctionMeans or Ends distinction
Support for field extension staffSupport for field extension staff

13. Three functions to satisfy group needsThree functions to satisfy group needs
Achieving
the group task
Developing
the individual
Building and
Maintaining the group

14. Leadership DevelopmentLeadership Development
STYLE OF LEADER
MATURITY OF
FOLLOWER(S)
(LOW) TASK BEHAVIOR (HIGH)
RELATIONSHIPBEHAVIOR(HIGH)
Low
Relationshi
p and
Low Task
High Task
and Low
Relationship
High
Relationship
and
Low Task
High Task
and High
Relationship
HIGH MODERATE LOW
Mature
Immature

15. Success of Farmer Groups…Success of Farmer Groups…
Recognition it gets from various bodiesRecognition it gets from various bodies
Focus on income generating activitiesFocus on income generating activities
Abilities of membersAbilities of members
Visible benefits to its membersVisible benefits to its members
Extension officials supportExtension officials support
Participatory approachesParticipatory approaches
Linkages with people and organizationsLinkages with people and organizations
Tie up with other developmentTie up with other development
programmesprogrammes
Inter group linkagesInter group linkages
Capacity building of farmer groupsCapacity building of farmer groups

16. FARMERFARMER
ORGANISATIONSORGANISATIONS

17. Types ofTypes of
Farmer OrganizationsFarmer Organizations
Community based, resource orientedCommunity based, resource oriented
farmer organizationfarmer organization
Commodity based, market oriented farmerCommodity based, market oriented farmer
organizationorganization

18. Roles ofRoles of
Farmer organizationsFarmer organizations
Representational roleRepresentational role
Technology roleTechnology role
Service roleService role

19. Developing a Farmer organizationDeveloping a Farmer organization
 Study the village situation in detailStudy the village situation in detail
 Identify issues and problems to build a farmerIdentify issues and problems to build a farmer
organizationorganization
 Locate potential leaders in the communityLocate potential leaders in the community
 Seed the concept of farmer organization among themSeed the concept of farmer organization among them
 Sow the cooperation of various agencies working withSow the cooperation of various agencies working with
similar objectivessimilar objectives
 Conduct community meetings through local leadersConduct community meetings through local leaders
 Make the purpose of the organization very clearMake the purpose of the organization very clear
 Nominate core group leaders to develop the farmerNominate core group leaders to develop the farmer
organizationorganization
 Develop an organizational structureDevelop an organizational structure
 Provide action learning situation to develop theProvide action learning situation to develop the
management of farmer organizationmanagement of farmer organization
 Prepare plan of action using participatory actionPrepare plan of action using participatory action
management cyclemanagement cycle
 Implement the plan of actionImplement the plan of action
 Monitor and evaluate the farmer organization's progressMonitor and evaluate the farmer organization's progress

20. Farmers may be organized atFarmers may be organized at
Four levelsFour levels
Farmers Interest Groups ( FIGs )Farmers Interest Groups ( FIGs )
Sectoral Farmers Association ( SFA )Sectoral Farmers Association ( SFA )
District Farmers Forum ( DFF )District Farmers Forum ( DFF )
State Farmers Federation ( SFF )State Farmers Federation ( SFF )

21. Role ofRole of
Extension ProfessionalsExtension Professionals……
Mobilization and organization roleMobilization and organization role
Capacity building roleCapacity building role
Problem solving and educating roleProblem solving and educating role
Business support provider roleBusiness support provider role

22. Examples of Group led extension in IndiaExamples of Group led extension in India
 KERALAKERALA initiated group approach toinitiated group approach to
extension for RICE farming in 1989extension for RICE farming in 1989
and subsequently extended to otherand subsequently extended to other
cropscrops
 Formation of community groups toFormation of community groups to
improve productivity and reduce costimprove productivity and reduce cost
of cultivationof cultivation

23. Examples…Examples…
 RAJASTHANRAJASTHAN adopted the groupadopted the group
approach to extension in 1992 andapproach to extension in 1992 and
currently VEO visits village and impartcurrently VEO visits village and impart
training totraining to kisan mandalkisan mandal farmers oncefarmers once
in a fortnightin a fortnight

24. Examples…Examples…
 InIn ANDHRA PRADESHANDHRA PRADESH, Farmers, Farmers
Clubs ( RMGs ) are formed toClubs ( RMGs ) are formed to
propagate developmental Schemespropagate developmental Schemes
and facilitate TOTand facilitate TOT
 Govt provides Rs 1500 to each clubGovt provides Rs 1500 to each club
for its formationfor its formation
 Two lakh clubsTwo lakh clubs

25. RMGs in A.P – Main ObjectivesRMGs in A.P – Main Objectives
 To function as interface between extension systemTo function as interface between extension system
and farmers for TOT and sharing of marketand farmers for TOT and sharing of market
informationinformation
 To become self reliant for carrying outTo become self reliant for carrying out
developmental activities through their owndevelopmental activities through their own
resources and efforts; and also for developingresources and efforts; and also for developing
linkages with credit institutions as well as otherlinkages with credit institutions as well as other
developmental departmentsdevelopmental departments
 To interact and exchange ideas on scientificTo interact and exchange ideas on scientific
agricultureagriculture
 To take up, in addition to social activities, variousTo take up, in addition to social activities, various
dev. activities like soil testing camps, animal healthdev. activities like soil testing camps, animal health
camps etccamps etc
 To formulate an optimal resource based andTo formulate an optimal resource based and
market driven farmer strategymarket driven farmer strategy

26. Functioning of RMGsFunctioning of RMGs
 A group of 15 farmers- Start with aA group of 15 farmers- Start with a
unique nameunique name
 Only one member from a familyOnly one member from a family
 Thrift and credit on the lines of SHGsThrift and credit on the lines of SHGs
 Monthly thrift – Rs.50/- per month.Monthly thrift – Rs.50/- per month.
 Rs.2500/- from government to takeRs.2500/- from government to take
care of capacity building and matchingcare of capacity building and matching
grant of Rs.15,000/- per group togrant of Rs.15,000/- per group to
mature RMGsmature RMGs..

27. Abhyudaya Karshak Parishat,Abhyudaya Karshak Parishat,
Mukkamala, EG, A.PMukkamala, EG, A.P
 Estd in 1989Estd in 1989
 Trainings on Paddy and CoconutTrainings on Paddy and Coconut
 Emphasis on IPM and INMEmphasis on IPM and INM
 Farmer to farmer extensionFarmer to farmer extension
 ProductivityProductivity
 Field visitsField visits

28. Examples…Examples…
 HIMACHAL PRADESHHIMACHAL PRADESH is formingis forming
Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) toFarmer Interest Groups (FIGs) to
implement many schemesimplement many schemes
 The Central Sector Scheme onThe Central Sector Scheme on
Women in Agriculture (CSSWA) isWomen in Agriculture (CSSWA) is
being implemented through womenbeing implemented through women
SHGs promoted through thisSHGs promoted through this
programmeprogramme

29. Examples…Examples…
 NABARD, UttarakhandNABARD, Uttarakhand formed SHGs offormed SHGs of
micro-financing, access to credit andmicro-financing, access to credit and
strengthen their negotiation powerstrengthen their negotiation power
through collective marketingthrough collective marketing
 Emerged as Vegetable and FruitEmerged as Vegetable and Fruit
Promotion in uttarakhandPromotion in uttarakhand

30. Examples…Examples…
 Cashew Ratna inCashew Ratna in MAHARASHTRAMAHARASHTRA ::
Cashew growers in Ratnagiri formedCashew growers in Ratnagiri formed
into groups and marketed cashewinto groups and marketed cashew
under the name ofunder the name of Cashew RatnaCashew Ratna andand
reaped benefitsreaped benefits
 Commodity Based Groups – BlockCommodity Based Groups – Block
Level Processors Group – DistrictLevel Processors Group – District
levellevel
 Grading, Packing, MarketingGrading, Packing, Marketing

31. Processors
Group
1 2 3 4
Block Level Processors
Group
District Level Cp
& Farmer Orgn.
Common
Godown
•Grading
•Packing
•Further grading
•Packing
•Marketing
State :Maharashtra
District :Ratnagiri
CASHEW RATNA
Commodity Based Groups

32. Efficiency of Group approachEfficiency of Group approach
over Individual approachover Individual approach
ApproachApproach ParticipationParticipation
in extensionin extension
activities ofactivities of
KVK ( % )KVK ( % )
ParticipationParticipation
in decisionin decision
makingmaking
( % )( % )
TechnologyTechnology
adoptionadoption
by theby the
farmersfarmers
Spread ofSpread of
technologytechnology
Extent ofExtent of
feedbackfeedback
NetworkingNetworking
IndividualIndividual 15-2015-20 1-21-2 slowslow slowslow somesome poorpoor
GroupGroup 100100 90-10090-100 fastfast fastfast 70-80%70-80% effectiveeffective
Das P DDG ICAR Indian farming November 2002

33. Skills required for Farmer groupsSkills required for Farmer groups
S. NoS. No AreaArea Skill /Skill /
CompetenciesCompetencies
to be developedto be developed
Ways andWays and
Means ofMeans of
developingdeveloping
skillskill
InstitutionsInstitutions
who canwho can
helphelp
11 TechnicalTechnical
22 ManagerialManagerial
33 Any otherAny other

34. Initiatives to be taken to organizeInitiatives to be taken to organize
farmers in groupsfarmers in groups
 Policy decision to contact farmers in groupsPolicy decision to contact farmers in groups
instead of individual contactsinstead of individual contacts
 Groups should be demand drivenGroups should be demand driven
 Group formation could be taken up where someGroup formation could be taken up where some
NGOs / societies are workingNGOs / societies are working
 Disseminate the message about the advantagesDisseminate the message about the advantages
of group formationof group formation
 Size of the group should be kept smallSize of the group should be kept small
 Demonstrate the process of group formation byDemonstrate the process of group formation by
organizing visits of group of farmers to alreadyorganizing visits of group of farmers to already
developed active farmers groups in nearby areasdeveloped active farmers groups in nearby areas

35. Conclusions…Conclusions…
 Sustainable groups and organizations are mustSustainable groups and organizations are must
for over all development of farmersfor over all development of farmers
 Extension strategies should involve groupsExtension strategies should involve groups
 Public, Private extension agencies and NGOsPublic, Private extension agencies and NGOs
should involve farmer groupsshould involve farmer groups
 Govt departments should play a supporting roleGovt departments should play a supporting role
in formation and management of farmer groupsin formation and management of farmer groups
 Extension functionaries should have skills ofExtension functionaries should have skills of
facilitationfacilitation