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Extension approaches
- 1. APPROACHES IN EXTENSION Extensionapproach (Axinn, 1988) defined as a style of action, embodying the philosophy of an extension system which, by and large determines the direction and nature/style of the various aspects of that system, such as its structure, leadership, program, methods and techniques, resources, and linkages. Eight extension approaches commonly practiced by extension organizations all over the world (Axinn, 1988 and Swamson, 1989, as cited by Cardenas, 2000): 1. General Extension Approach 2. Commodity Specialized Approach 3. Training and Visit Approach 4. Agricultural Extension Participatory Approach 5. Project Approach 6. Farming Systems Development Approach 7. Cost Sharing Approach 8. Educational Institution Approach
- 2. COMPARATIVE EXTENSION APPROACHES ExtensionApproach/ Gen Characteristics Assumption Purpose Program Planning and Implementation Resource Requirements Implementation Strategy Measure of Success 1.The General Extension Approach Commonly found in Government Ministry/ Department of Agriculture(MA/DA) Implemented by MA/DA through its unit/division tasked to undertake extension Technology and information areavailable but not used by farmers If the technology is communicated to the farmers farm practices would improve Technologies/ inventions by research institutions are best for the farmers Help farmers increasetheir production/ income through adoption of technology. Centrally controlled by government :Top-down” Priorities are determined at national level Farmers are generally not consulted Requires a large number of government field personnel Field staff are assigned all over the country by political subdivision Methods and techniques are generally standardized consistingof a combination of extension communication techniques Attainment of increased farm production and family income Better quality of life 2. The Commodity Specialized Approach Highly specialized Tends to focus on one crop (usually for export) e.g. coffee, sugar,rice,etc. The way to increase productivity and production of a particularcommodity is to concentrate on that crop Groupingall functions related to the crop’s production under one administration would be more effective and efficient. Such functions are research,extension, input supply,output marketing, and prices Increaseboth quantity and quality of the commodity being specialized Top-down and controlled by the commodity organization Governing Board of the Organization usually decides on the extension goals, messages, scheduleof activities,staffingand program participants. Requires farmer cooperators to strictly followthe predetermined packageof technology. Facilities for doing on-the-spot demonstration of technologies Highly qualified scientific and field personnel Credit scheme for small farmers Specialized extension work Trainingof personnel Credit scheme Marketing scheme Recommended input made availableand affordable Closer supervision Total production of the particular crop
- 3. Extension Approach/ Gen Characteristics AssumptionPurpose Program Planning and Implementation Resource Requirements Implementation Strategy Measure of Success 3.The Training and Visit Approach (T&V) Advocated by the World Bank in the 1960s A system of technical adviceto improve agricultural productivity through convincingfarmers adopt a set of recommended farm practices Extension field personnel are poorly trained, not up-to-date, and stay in officerather than visitthe farmers. Management and supervision not adequate Induce farmers to increase their production of specified crops Improve contacts between extension staff and farmers, extension staff and researchers. Top-down centrally controlled Decisions about educational messages, how and when it should be taught are done by professionals and carried out down to the organizational hierarchy. Manpower requirement is high Costs are high Frequent and regular in service trainingof lower level extension staff by subject matter specialist Fixed scheduleof extension agents’ visitto farmer groups Two-step Flowof communication Field staff Contact farmers Group of farmers Increasein yield and total production of crops being emphasized Improved communicatio n flow 4. The Participatory Agricultural Extension Approach Groups such as farmers’ association and other stakeholders in the community influenceand exercisegreater control of extension priorities and activities Local Government Units Farmers have much wisdom about production of food from their land Farmers’ own knowledge can be improved through learningfrom outsidetheir own knowledge system such as research and related services Effective extension cannot be achieved without farmers’ participation There is reinforcing effect in group learning/action Increase production and consumption Produce more relevant messages to various stakeholders Enhance quality of life of rural people Improve efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural extension Controlled locally by such groups as farmers associations and other stakeholders Extension personnel assists facilities Plans/programs may be partof the Local Development Plan Entails lower costs. High proportion of resources may be provided locally through sharing among stakeholders Extension messages are location specific Active participation of farmers and other stakeholders Extension personnel serve as facilitators Local sharingof technologies and other resources Shared decision makingthrough meetings Group learning through farmers’ class, demonstrations, study tours,etc. Number of farmers and stakeholders participating Sustainability of group activities/decis ion making
- 4. Extension Approach/ Gen Characteristics AssumptionPurpose Program Planning and Implementation Resource Requirements Implementation Strategy Measure of Success 5.The Project Approach Extension Services are concentrated in a particular location Infusion of large amount of external resources/ foreign donors private organization Large government bureaucracy in the regular ministry of Agricultural Extension Services may not be capableto bringabout increasein agricultural production or rural development within an appropriatetime frame. To demonstrate what can be done in a few years/short period of time. Central government controls program planning Donors generally have strong control Bigger budget compared to regular extension program Transportation and facilities Project allowances for field staff Transportation, facilities, equipment and sometimes housing Short run change 6.The Farming Systems Research Extension (FSRE) Approach People-centered, problem-oriented, holistic participatory and inter- disciplinary in evolvinglocation specific technologies Technologies are generated locally A farmer-back-to- farmer mode of research-extension Technologies that fit the needs and circumstances of the farmers arenot availableand thus have to be generated locally Farmers’ problems needs and circumstances are the key to the generation of appropriatetechnology Provide extension personnel (and through them, the farm) with the appropriate technologies Plans and implement are evolved in the process and may be different for each agro-climatefarm ecosystem type Farmers and the team of researchers and extension workers control the program jointly Interdisciplinary experts in research and extension Budgetary requirement Field personnel are highly specialized Farmers participate actively in partnership with the interdisciplinary team of researchers and extension workers Systems approach in terms of situation analysis, design of intervention, experimentation, etc. Extent of adoption of the process and the technologies
- 5. Extension Approach/ Gen Characteristics AssumptionPurpose Program Planning and Implementation Resource Requirements Implementation Strategy Measure of Success 7.The Cost Sharing Approach Joint venture between the community and an institution (GO/NGO) in the utilization and complementation of resources Non-formal education program is easily achieved if beneficiaries sharethe cost Locals may not be able to sufficiently support their own development efforts. Thus, outside sources should supplement/ compliment. Personnel may perform better if beneficiaries sharethe cost. Increased productivity Help farmers help themselves/ teach them self-reliance Shared by stakeholders who contributed in the cost, but must be responsiveto local needs to assure sustained cooperation from the locals Resources required from government is less Field personnel tend to be recruited locally and remain in the project area for a longperiod of time Farm people’s willingnessand ability to sustainability sharein the cost 8.The Educational Institution Approach Extension done by an academic institution Agricultureeducational institutions have technical knowledge relevant to the farm people Help farmers learn about scientific agriculture Provide opportunity for students and faculty interactwith farmers and experience actual agriculture Generally controlled by those who design the curriculumof the educational institution Control may shiftfrom the institution to the people (if participatory extension) Cost may be high but if collaborative approach is employed then it is shared among them Non-formal institution by groups or individuals A variety of approaches/ techniques may be designed depending on the philosophy followed/ tried by the institution Extension personnel from other agency may be involved Attendance and extent of participation of the farm people