Traditional Extension Methods in Modern Agriculture

N.G. Hegde

Indian Farming Special issue on World Food Day. October 2005. : 45-47

Background of Agriculture Development

Agriculture has been an integral part of the traditional culture in many parts of Asia and Africa. Therefore, many local festivals and celebrations are linked to various crops and the harvesting seasons. There are festivals for worshipping of the land, livestock, agricultural tools, water and standing crops, which signify the importance of these resources for the community. Over the years, agriculture has made significant progress with the growth of human civilisation.

Two major factors, which have contributed to the improvement in agriculture are the increasing needs of the growing population and initiatives of innovative farmers. With the increasing size of rural families, there was an urge to grow more food and the farmers were compelled to adopt new methodologies such as deeper tillage of lands, introduction of superior varieties of crops, efficient use of water, providing nutrients with farmyard manure and other sources of nutrients such as oil seed cakes, organic wastes, etc. Development of water resources for irrigation by individuals through dug wells and construction of ponds and tanks at the community level was also undertaken by many progressive communities.

The age old practice of selecting outstanding plants in the field for seed production has made a significant contribution in evolving superior genotypes, which are superior in yields and resistant to various pests and diseases. Many tools and implements were developed to increase the speed of tillage operations and reduce strenuous workload. All these innovative technologies, which were developed by a few elite farmers gradually became popular in the surrounding regions as the people saw the benefits in the field and decided to adopt them. However, in the absence of formal system of extension and efficient mode of communication, the process of transfer of technology has been very slow. Furthermore, in the absence of organised research and development activities, the technologies available for dissemination were also very limited.

Before independence, the major component, which contributed to agricultural improvement was improved varieties of different crops, which were selected by progressive farmers. It was mostly the rich and elite farmers, who had a fascination for cultivating new varieties and introducing new crops. People carried seeds of different crops with them, when migrating to new locations. They involved international traders to bring seeds from other continents. This is how we can trace the movement of various new crops through historical trade routes. During the 19th century, when a farmers’ delegation led by Mahatma Jyotiba Phule made a representation to the British Government to seek relief for famine, they requested for germplasm of important crops and cattle, which were contributing to higher productivity in Europe and other continents. This emphasised the use of elite germplasm as the major component for improving the production and profitability in agriculture.

In many regions, some of the festivals were linked with exhibitions. Cattle fairs of well-known breeds of cattle and buffaloes were very popular in the home tracts of many important breeds. The award-winning animals were purchased by elite farmers for a fabulous price and used for improving the productivity of their herds. In Thailand, the king organised annual shows of fruits and vegetables and farmers were encouraged to bring outstanding varieties and selections made by them. A team of experts evaluated all the exhibits and the king gave handsome rewards to the owners of best entries. Thus, good varieties of fruits and vegetables became popular and the farmers from different parts in the country collected germplasm from the award-winning farmers. Even today, the success of Thai farmers in producing a wide range of fruits is attributed to the encouragement and rewards given by the Kingdom.

The traditional land holding pattern in India where big landlords owned large holdings must have also helped to some extent in adaptation of new technologies. Generally, powerful and elite families in the village owned large holdings. They engaged the landless and poor to till their land either as labourers or on crop sharing basis. In both the situations, the elite farmers provided all the inputs and took decisions about the choice of crops and varieties, quantity of inputs to be used and tillage practices to be followed. These landlords were capable of investing in various inputs and venture into new practices at their own risk. They owned large herds of livestock for production of farmyard manure and bullocks for production of milk for domestic use was a secondary objective. That is probably the reason why they neglected the breed improvement for higher milk yield, which resulted in deterioration of most of the native breeds of cattle. These large farmers took the responsibility of providing bullocks and various implements for tillage operations, supplied seeds and manure. They also kept a close watch on the crop growth and selected outstanding plots for harvesting their seeds. They had adequate storage space and were aware of the methods for seed storage. Thus, adaptation of new technologies was fairly easy.

All the small farmers learnt these improved cultivation practices from the large landlords. In the absence of any formal mode of communication like newspapers, radio and television, direct interaction with elite farmers was the only way to learn about new technologies and inputs for improving agricultural production. Such traditional practice continued till the independence of India.

Post-Independence Development

After the independence in 1947, community development assumed high priority. In 1948, a pilot community development project was launched through the Etawah Project. Later in 1952, the Government of India launched 55 Community Development Projects each covering about 300 villages or a population of 30,000. This programme was multi-dimensional but the major emphasis was placed on agricultural production, as the areas

selected for launching the project were located in irrigated areas or where the rainfall was assured. In 1953, the National Extension Service Project was launched with a similar objective of covering larger areas, including the dry regions. This project of three-year duration, demarcated the blocks of 150-300 villages as manageable units for initiating community development programmes. The objectives and activities of the project were modified from time to time and continued as a permanent multi-function extension agency in each block. These community development blocks were treated as normal administrative units for planning and development with regular budgetary allocations.

By the end of the First Five Year Plan (1952-1957), 1114 blocks covering 1,63,000 villages were in operation and by the sixties, the community development programme covered the entire country. The programme was characterised by the following features: comprehensive in content; economic progress as the core objective; flexible programmes and posting of a multipurpose worker at the village level. The plan defined the central objective of planning as creation of conditions in which living standards are reasonably high and the citizens have full and equal opportunity for growth and justice. The programme aimed at upliftment of the rural poor, covered agriculture, animal husbandry, roads, health, education, housing, employment, social and cultural activities. While aiming at economic development through agriculture and cottage industries, efforts were made to improve literacy, health, sanitation, housing, transport and communication. To implement the multi-facet programme, an extension organisation headed by a Block Development Officer (BDO) was established at each block or revenue tehsil, with a team of subject specialists and village level workers (VLW). Each VLW covered a population of 5000-6000, spread over 5-10 villages to implement various development programmes launched by different departments. The VLWs were expected to meet the farmers and persuade them to take part in various development schemes. The BDO was assisted by eight Extension Officers one each for agriculture, animal husbandry, panchayat, cooperation rural industries, rural engineering, social education and women and child welfare.

The major role of the VLW was to organise field demonstrations for popularising various practices, which can enhance the crop yields and profit margins for the farmers. The programme had some good effect in the beginning particularly with respect to popularising of the agro-chemicals and improved crop varieties. However, there was a serious set-back in the services, primarily because of the inadequate knowledge of the VLWs and poor support provided to them from the block development office with regard to technology, inputs and information. Furthermore, technology in isolation without regular guidelines by the experts did not help in enhancing the productivity. Often new varieties proved inferior to the native varieties, in the absence of proper nutrition management and plant protection. This affected their economy and confidence in the agricultural extension officers. So there was a need to revise the extension strategy to promote agricultural production, involving small farmers. This was the background for launching the Training and Visit (T&V) programme.

Under this programme, the farmers were trained by agricultural specialists in different fields at the training centre based on the seasonal needs. Subsequently, these experts

visited fields cultivated by the trained farmers with a view to sort out their problems, if any. This programme was further supported through mass communication using different media. To strengthen the training and field demonstrations, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) promoted Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK), one in every district throughout the country. The KVK had the mandate of identifying the field problems and setting up suitable training and demonstrations to popularise new technologies and systems, which can address the local problems. Nevertheless, there is a wide gap between the research stations and farmers for transfer of technology at the grassroots level. As a result, the scientists are not able to understand the problems of the farmers and various technologies developed at the research institutions are not available to the users.

Effective Methods of Motivation

It has been observed that in rural India, where most of the farmers are illiterate or semi-literate and modern technologies in the absence of proper systems have failed in the past, farmers have lost confidence in themselves as well as in outsiders, who approach them with different objectives. Hence, motivation and awareness have a greater role, before extension of new technologies. Among various extension methods adopted by various agencies, on-farm demonstrations have been the most effective in motivating the farmers to adopt new technologies. On-farm demonstrations, particularly the result demonstrations, where the farmers are able to personally see the growth of the plants and measure the yields, can create a positive impact. Visit to on-farm trials provided them an opportunity to interact with the host farmers directly and clarify all the doubts they had about such technologies. It has also been observed that the demonstrations conducted at farmers’ field are taken to be more authentic than the trials laid out on agricultural research stations, where highly qualified scientists protect the crop with sophisticated equipments.

However, the limitations for establishing on-farm demonstrations are high costs of resource persons and poor cooperation from the host farmers. Furthermore, it is not convenient for farmers from long distances to visit the demonstration sites at an appropriate time. Therefore, the benefit of on-farm demonstrations is limited to the farmers within the block or a part of the district.

Audio-Visual presentations and personal contacts are the other effective methods of agriculture extension. However, these programmes require good content and committed personnel who can confidently communicate with the farmers. Both these methods of extension require a good network of extension workers who can devote adequate time to give good publicity well before organising audio-visual presentations and organising personal interaction with farmers. The advantage of direct interaction is that the farmers can clarify their doubts with the extension officers. Furthermore, the extension officers can try to understand the socio-economic issues of the farmers and develop suitable alternatives to address the local needs. This way the programme can be dynamic and relevant to the farmers.

Extension Strategy for the Future

Over the years, particularly with the success of the green revolution, many progressive farmers have started adapting to new technologies once they are convinced of the benefits and easy availability of the inputs required to adopt the technologies. Such farmers, who have adapted to improved agriculture, have been asking for additional information and new technologies from time to time. This has led to development of special radio and television programmes committed to agricultural extension. Although, television programmes can be very effective due to the visual effects, the popularity among the villagers has not been so good, as expected so far. This is due to poor content, inadequate knowledge of the subject, non-availability of the television in every household and interruption of power supply. Because of such limitations of the television programmes, most of the villagers prefer to listen to the agriculture extension programmes relayed on the radio. The farmers can take the transistor to the field and work while listening to the programme. Furthermore, as the experts can explain without any visuals, they have good scope to cover a wide range of subjects in radio programmes. Therefore, it can be concluded that inspite of modern technologies, agriculture extension can be promoted very effectively using the radio media, even in the future. The radio programmes can cover the seasonal operations, demand and supply situation and commodity prices of various markets. Selection of a suitable time slot, particularly in the mornings and evenings will further increase the number of listeners and an established radio media can continue to serve the farmers effectively.

With respect to the small farmers, illiterates and women, it is difficult for them to have access to transistors and to understand the contents of the radio talks on various aspects of agricultural development. Such groups are also hesitant to accept any advice given by experts as they have experienced failure in the past. It is indeed difficult to involve them in any development programmes. In such a situation, formation of Self Help Groups or local planning groups and interacting with the groups instead of individual members will be more effective. When the extension officers address the groups, the groups will collectively discuss the pros and cons of the advices given by the extension officers and take a collective decision either to accept or reject the advise. If they accept the advice, then the group puts pressure on their members to fulfill the accepted task. Because of this reason, the Self Help Groups can be very effectively used for transferring the technology required for improving the agriculture production in backward areas. Through involvement of such Peoples’ Organisations, the extension can not only be effective but also cost saving. Interaction with the groups can also help in understanding their problems and finding suitable solutions. The role of Self Help Groups in agricultural extension needs to be tapped to the fullest extent possible in the near future.