Contents

Preface
I. Introduction
II. History
III. Agriculture Extension
IV. Planning Extension Programmes for Rural People
V. Principles of Teaching and Learning
VI. Conclusion.

Preface

The majority of people in India live a relatively unchanging life producing crops in the same way as their ancestors did. Rapid progress and development of agriculture is crucial for the progress of our country. Agricultural extension is a branch of applied science, the implementation of which is required to bring about desirable changes in the agricultural sector by applying the latest scientific and technological methods. Hence, extension education thereby help the farmers to improve their standard of living and income.

Dr. K.T. Chandy, Agricultural & Environmental

I. Introduction

Agriculture is the mainstay of Indian economy. It sustains over 70% of the population; contributes 35.6% to gross national products and adds 39% as its share towards exports. The growth in population and migration of the people to the city have led to an increasing demand for agricultural products.

Agriculture extension efforts in India have made significant strides towards development of the agricultural sector. The report of the national commission on Agriculture (Government of India, 1976) has emphasized the need for massive extension efforts to modenise the outlook of the farmers and to make them more enterprising and willing to adapt readily to innovations so that agricultural production could be increased.

Agricultural extension is a favourite whipping boy in the agricultural system. It is an applied behavioural science, the knowledge of which is applied to bring farmers or people through various strategies and programme of change by applying the latest scientific and technological innovations. Agriculture extension education, its principles, methods and techniques are applicable not only to agriculture but also to other sciences like veterinary, animal husbandry, dairying, health and family planning etc.

To summarize, agriculture extension viewed as an educational programme to be undertaken by public agencies to activate the process of transferring knowledge, science and technology from laboratories to people or farmer and to help them in farm planning, decision making, record keeping, use of inputs, storage, processing and marketing, ensure supplies and services, increase their production, develop people and their leaders, improve their occupation, family and community life.