2. PRINCIPLES
Principle is a statement of policy which guide an
individual to take decisions in a consistent manner. A
principle is sufficiently proven or tested observation.
These are generalized guidelines which form the basis
for decision and action in a consistent way.
A list of principles of extension education are given in
next slides which are either fundamental in nature or
widely accepted in literature or subject.
3. 1. Principle of needs and interests
People’s needs and interests are the starting point
of extension work. The extension agent should not
pass on their own needs and interests as those of
the people. The agent should give the priority to
felt needs of local people.
4. 2. Principle of cultural difference
This is cultural difference between the extension
agents and farmers. Difference exist between
group of farmers also. The difference maybe in
their habits, customs, values, attitudes, and ways
of life. Extension work to be successful, must be
carried out in harmony with cultural pattern of the
people.
5. 3. Principle of grass-root organisation
Different groups work in rural areas. These groups
are familiar with the local problems and interests
of the local people. The extension agent should
pay attention to needs and interests of these
groups while planning extension programs.
6. 4. Principle of indigenous knowledge
People everywhere have indigenous systems which
they have developed through generations of work
experience and problem solving in their own
specific situation. Instead of ignoring the
traditional system of knowledge as outdated the
extension agent should try to understand them
and their ramifications in the life of local people
before recommending something new to them.
7. 5. Principle of learning by doing
One learns better by actually being involved in the
task. This gives practical experience and grip on
new skills to be learnt. Simultaneously learner
gains confidence as it involves maximum number
of sensory organs, which can not be acquired by
reading books. Learning by doing is most effective
in changing people’s behaviour.
8. 6. Principle of participation
Most people of village community should willingly
cooperate and participate in identifying the
problems. Planning of projects for solving the
problems and implementing the projects in
getting the desired results. The participation of the
people is of fundamental importance for the
success of extension program.
9. 7. Principle of democratic approach
Extension work is democratic both in philosophy
and procedure. It aims to operate through
discussion and suggestion. The people are left free
to decide their line of action, the methods to be
adopted in the local situation with their own
resources and available government assistance.
10. 8.Principle of whole family
approach
Family is the primary unit of society. The target for
extension work should therefore be the family.
That is developing the family as a whole
economically and socially.
11. 9. Principle of trained specialist
Trained specialists have to be provided to keep
themselves in touch with their respective research
institute on the one hand, and extend the latest
scientific developments to the extension agent,
which have scope for adoption in a particular area.
12. 10. Principle of leadership
Identifying different types of leaders and working
through them is essential in extension. Leadership
traits are to be developed in the local people so
that they on their own shall seek change from less
desirable to more desirable situation.
13. 11. Principle of adaptability in the
use of teaching methods
Extension work and extension teaching methods
must be flexible and adapted to suit the local
condition. This is necessary because the local
people, their situation, their resources and
constraints vary from place to place and time to
time.
14. 12. Principle of use of local
resources
Extension agent has to mobilize and organize
the local resources in man and material and
social groups for joint and cooperative action.
15. 13. Principle of evaluation
There should be a continuous built in method of
finding out the extent to which the results
obtained are in agreement with the objectives
fixed earlier. Evaluation should indicate the gaps
and steps to be taken for further improvement.
16. 14. Principle of satisfaction
The ultimate objective of all extension programs is
satisfaction of people with whom work is done. If
the results of adoption of new technology are not
satisfying, farmers will lose faith in it. Extension
agent will also lose credibility. Therefore the
extension work should produce satisfying results
which motivate people to seek further
improvements.
