AGEXT-PHILOSOPHY-AND-PRIN..pdf

Objectives:
 To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the
philosophy and principles that underlie extension work;
 To enable students to apply the principles of extension in real-
world scenarios; and
 To encourage students to critically analyze and evaluate the
various philosophies and principles of extension.

Definitions:
 The body of principles underlying a given branch of learning or major
discipline, a religious system, a human activity, or the like.
 A guide to a person's actions.
 A view of life - what ought to be and its components of “what is” and
“how to bridge the gap” between “what is” and “what ought to be”
 A philosophy of extension includes the set of beliefs and principles that
serve as a basis for making decisions and judgments in the field of extension.

Why a Philosophy of Extension is Needed?
 It establishes the parameters of our field – helps us judge whether our programs,
values, or educational approach is or is not an extension practice.
 Articulates the rationale for analysis, diagnosis, decision-making, and action—tells
us why we do, what we do.
 Makes us aware of our values, and thus promotes ongoing self-examination and
evaluation— good for the “health” of the extension organization by encouraging
creativity, and organizational renewal.
Describes the nature of knowledge and whether we believe it is acquired or
transmitted.

Diagrammatically:
WHAT OUGHT TO BE
(The ideal view of life)
(What the people should or could be as a result of the extension program/activities
expressed in objectives)
The Gap
(the problem area or
needs of the people)
How to bridge the Gap
(the educational means to attain
the objectives, methods, and
procedures used in relation to the
needs of the people that have to
be addressed by extension)

How to bridge the Gap ?
• Identify the Gap
• Communicate
• Listen Actively
• Find Common Ground
• Be Empathetic
• Seek Compromise
• Educate and Inform
• Build Trust
• Collaborate
• Be Patient

Diagrammatically:
How to bridge the Gap
(the educational means to attain
the objectives, methods, and
procedures used in relation to the
needs of the people that have to
be addressed by extension)
WHAT OUGHT TO BE
(The ideal view of life)
(What the people should or could be as a result of the extension program/activities
expressed in objectives)
The Gap
(the problem area or
needs of the people)
WHAT IS
(The present state of the people/client in terms of knowledge, skills attitudes,
etc. they possess; their resource, present level of living, and others)

Some Principles of Extension
Extension agent's role – communicator and educator
 As a communicator - pass on useful information or
technology to people who need it.
 As an educator - help rural people acquire the knowledge,
skills, and attitude that will help them effectively utilize the
information or technology.
1. Communication and Education
Information
Sharing
Two-way
Interaction
Channel Selection
Clear and
Understandable

 For impact and sustainability, work with and not for the people.
 People must participate and make decisions that will benefit
them; extension agents must assist them by providing them
with all the information needed and possible alternative
solutions to clientele problems.
2. Extension Works with Rural people
Collaboration
Empowerment Sustainability Long-term Impact

 Extension agent must justify to the organization whatever
action he/she takes and be accountable and responsible to the
clientele on whatever advice or information is given to them.
 The clientele is the one to pass judgment on the success or
failure of the extension program.
3. Accountability to the Clientele
Transparency Effective
Communication
Customized Services
Empowerment Measurable Outcomes Adaptability
Ethical Conduct Feedback and
Evaluation
Outcome Assessment
Continuous
Improvement

 Disseminate information and technology to and
receive feedback from clientele so that their needs can
be better fulfilled.
 Learn from the clientele the wealth of their
experiences.
4. Two-way Process Linkage
Mutual Exchange
Collaborative Learning
Listening and Understanding
Tailored Solutions

 Extension is only one "aspect of the many economic, social, cultural,
and political activities that hope to produce change for the betterment of
the rural masses.
 Extension should therefore cooperate and collaborate with both GOS
and NGOs to accomplish the above.
 Extension can't be effective on its own as its activities must be
interdependent on other related activities.
5. Cooperate with Other Agencies
Collaboration Resource Sharing
Expertise and
Knowledge Exchange
Enhanced
Outreach
Increased
Impact

• Collaborating with agricultural research institutions to disseminate
the latest research findings to farmers.
• Partnering with local government agencies to access funding and
logistical support for community development projects.
• Working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide
training and resources to underserved populations.
• Coordinating efforts with environmental agencies to promote
sustainable farming practices and conservation efforts.
Examples of cooperation with other agencies

 Extension clientele is made up of various target groups with different needs,
social status, and cultural and economic backgrounds.
 Extension therefore cannot offer a package of technology for all its clientele due
to this heterogeneity.
There must be targeting of extension, meaning different programs and
technology packages for different target groups.
6. Work with different Target Groups
Customization
Diversity
Relevance
Inclusivity Community
Engagement

• Designing specialized agricultural training programs for
smallholder farmers and commercial growers, recognizing their
different needs and resources.
• Offering youth-focused extension programs that encourage young
people to pursue careers in agriculture or entrepreneurship.
• Developing women's empowerment initiatives that address gender-
specific challenges in rural communities.
• Adapting extension services to the cultural practices and languages
of indigenous or ethnic minority groups.
Examples of working with different target groups

Starts with what people know, what they have, what they understand.
Essentially an education process and is dependent on the voluntary participation of
people with whom extension works.
Teaches the people new knowledge and skills in relation to their current interests and
needs.
Employs a wide variety of extension communication strategies.
Identifies and works accordingly with target categories in the community.
Links and establishes cooperative/collaborative relationships with a person/organization
whose purpose is devoted to development in rural areas.
Nurtures and sustains the natural environment.
Works with local leaders and encourages the spirit of self-help.
Conducts regular evaluation/ assessment of its work.
Extension, therefore:

1. Informative extension – Helps people make well-considered choices
among alternatives provided by extension for the individual to achieve
his/her goals.
Purpose of Extension
 "Informative extension" refers to a specific approach within extension
services that focuses on providing individuals, communities, or target
groups with accurate, relevant, and practical information to enhance their
knowledge and decision-making abilities.
 Informative extension aims to educate and inform the target audience
about a wide range of topics, typically related to agriculture, health,
environment, community development, or other relevant areas.

2. Emancipatory extension – An instrument to uplift the poor, to
achieve societal goals, to correct structural problems.
 "Emancipatory extension" is an approach within the field of agricultural or
rural extension that emphasizes empowerment, social justice, and the active
participation of marginalized or disadvantaged groups in decision-making
processes.
 This approach goes beyond providing information and technical assistance;
it seeks to address underlying social, economic, and political inequalities
and empower individuals and communities to take control of their own
development.

3. Formative Extension or HRD – An instrument for developing,
“forming” an individual, or enhancing his/her capabilities to make
decisions to learn, to manage, to communicate, to organize, etc.
 "Formative Extension" or "Human Resource Development (HRD) in
Extension" refers to an approach within the field of extension services that
focuses on the development and capacity-building of individuals and
communities.
 This approach places a strong emphasis on human resource development as a
means to empower people with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need
to improve their lives and make informed decisions.

4. Persuasive Extension – A policy instrument to induce preventive
behavior with respect to societal concerns.
 "Persuasive Extension" is an approach within the field of
agricultural or rural extension that emphasizes influencing and
motivating individuals or communities to adopt specific
practices, behaviors, or technologies.
 It involves using persuasive communication techniques to
encourage target audiences to make changes that are considered
beneficial.

1. Altruistic dimension – Extension aimed at
helping farmers. This is a basic premise of
extension that must be observed by
practitioners.
Nature and Dimensions of Extension

2. Educational dimension – Extension is a non-
formal method of adult education. As such,
extension professionals must be imbued with
knowledge of how adults learn.

3. Communication dimension – Extension is a
communication intervention. Knowledge of
the basic communication process and its
dynamics must be adequately understood.

4. Behavioral dimension – Extension is aimed
at inducing behavioral changes among farmers.
Behavioral change is the end goal of
extension.

5. Technology dimension – Extension helps in
the transfer of technology. Extension should
be able to help identify technologies
appropriate to clientele. The need for more
alternative approaches and methods for
diagnosing technical problems should be
recognized.

6. Research dimension – Extension aims at
linking research with the farm. Ways to foster
closer links between the farmers and the
researchers need further understanding.

7. Input dimension – The provision of
technical inputs plays an important linking
function in the transfer of technology.

8. Income dimension – Extension is aimed at
increased income through increased
production and productivity

9. Management dimension – Extension aims
to function according to sound management
principles

Question 1: What is the primary goal of
extension services?
A)Maximizing profits for extension organizations
B)Facilitating community engagement and participation
C)Achieving immediate results and outcomes
D)Promoting self-reliance and sustainable development

Question 2: Which of the following is NOT a
key principle of extension work?
A)Client-focused
B) Community participation
C) Short-term impact
D)Continuous learning and adaptation

Question 3: In extension, what does "client-
focused" mean?
A)Focusing on the needs and preferences of the extension
workers
B) Tailoring extension services to meet the needs of the
target audience
C) Maximizing the extension organization's profits
D)Ignoring the feedback from clients

Question 4: What is the role of ethics in
extension work?
A)Ethics is irrelevant in extension work.
B) Ethics guides decision-making and ensures the well-
being of clients.
C) Ethics is only important for extension managers, not
field workers.
D)Ethics hinders the progress of extension programs.

Question 5: Which of the following is a key
component of the management dimension of
extension?
A)Identifying philosophical foundations
B) Allocating financial resources
C) Providing client-focused services
D)Conducting field research

Question 6: What does "sustainability" mean
in the context of extension principles?
A)Maximizing short-term profits
B) Balancing economic, social, and environmental factors
for long-term success
C) Ignoring the needs of future generations
D)Focusing solely on immediate outcomes

Question 7: Why is community participation
important in extension programs?
A)It makes extension services more expensive.
B) It ensures that decisions are made by extension
managers alone.
C) It enhances the ownership, relevance, and sustainability
of programs.
D)It hinders the progress of extension activities.

Question 8: Which of the following
statements about a philosophy of extension is
true?
A)It is a rigid and unchanging set of principles.
B) It guides the purpose, values, and principles of extension
work.
C) It is only relevant to extension managers, not field workers.
D)It should be ignored in the planning of extension programs.

Question 10: What is the ultimate goal of
extension services when it comes to income
dimension?
A)Maximizing short-term profits for clients
B) Achieving economic growth at any cost
C) Enhancing the economic well-being and livelihoods of clients
D)Ignoring income-related issues and focusing on other
dimensions

Question 9: How can extension services
promote income generation?
A)By ignoring economic factors and focusing solely on social
aspects
B) By ensuring that only large-scale commercial farmers benefit
C) By providing training and support for small businesses and
farmers
D)By reducing the emphasis on financial literacy and management

AGEXT-PHILOSOPHY-AND-PRIN..pdf

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