Extension programme planning

1. EXTENSION PROGRAMME PLANNING

2.  According to the USDA (1956), an "extension programme" is arrived at co-operatively by the
local people and the extension staff and includes a statement of:
 The situation in which the people are located;
 The problems that are a part of the local situation;
 The objectives and goals of the local people in relation to these problems; and
 The recommendations or solutions to reach these objectives on a long-time basis (may be
several years) or on a short-time basis (may be one year or less).

3. PRINCIPLES
1. Extension programme planning should be based on an analysis of the past experiences,
present situation and future needs.
For program determination, adequate information about the people and their situation has to
be collected. The present situation is to be analysed and interpreted on the basis of past
experiences by taking local people into confidence.

4. 2. Extension programme should have clear and significant objectives which could satisfy
important needs of the people.
The ultimate objectives of program building are to satisfy the needs of the people. For this
purpose,significant objectives pertaining to important needs of the people should be selected
and clearly stated.

5. 3. Extension programs should be fixed up priority on the basis of available resources and time.
The rural people particularly in the developing countries have a multitude of problem. All
problems
cannot be taken up at a time for solution because of the limitation of trained personnel,
availability of
funds, facilities and other resources. Time is also a limiting factor as both the people and the
funding
agencies cannot wait for an indefinite period of time to get the result.

6. 4. Extension programs should clearly indicate the availability and utilisation of resources.
An extension programme should clearly state where from the funds, facilities, supplies and the
needed personnel shall be available and how these shall be utilised. This shall make the
program
practical and workable.

7. 5. Extension programs should have a General agreement at various levels.
Programs prepared at the various levels such as village, district, state and National levels should
conform to each other and shall not work at cross purposes.
6. Extension programs should involve people at the local level.
Extension programs are implemented at the local level. Local people should therefore be
involved all
through from program formulation to programme implementation.

8. 7. Extension programs should involve relevant Institutions and Organisation.
Extension programs cannot be implemented in isolation. It requires the support of many Institution
and Organisation. The program should broadly indicate the Institutions and organisations to be
involved and how they shall contribute in attaining the program objectives.
8. Extension programs should have definite plan of work.
The plan of work maybe separately drawn up or Incorporated in the program. Unless the plan of work
is drawn up the program remains a theoretical exercise.

9. 9. Extension programs should provide for evaluation of results and reconsideration of the program.
Extension programme is not a static outline of activities. The program should make provision forperiodical
monitoring and evaluation of result to judge its progress. On the basis of the findings of
evaluation, the program should be suitably modified to facilitate its reaching the objectives within the
stipulated period of time.

10. 10. Extension programs should provide equal distribution of benefits amongst the members of the
community.
It has been found that in a community, generally the resources rich person benefit more in
comparison to the resources poor from the implementation of extension programs. As this may
generate social disparity and social tensions.

11. STEPS OF EXTENSION PROGRAMME PLANNING
1. Collection of facts.
2. Analysis of situation.
3. Identification of problems.
4. Determination of objective and goals.
5. Developing plan of work and calendar of operation.
6. FoFollothrough plan of work and calendar of operation.
7. Evaluation of progress.
8. Reconsideration and revision of the programme.

12. PROCESS OF EXTENSION PROGRAMME PLANNING
 Extension programme planning is the process of determining, developing and executing programmes. It
is a continuous process, whereby farm people, with the guidance and leadership of extension personnel,
attempt to determine, analyse and solve local problems. In this, there are three characteristics:
 What needs to be done;
 When it should be done; and
 How it should be done (Musgraw, 1962).