Extension Education: 

Levels of Extension; Extension operates at two major levels, each with distinct goals and responsibilities:

1. Extension Education; Definition: It refers to the academic and theoretical aspect of extension, aimed at generating knowledge and capacity building through training, teaching, and research.

• Performed by:
  • Agricultural Universities
  • ICAR Institutes
  • Home Science Colleges
  • Other Apex-level Training and Extension Institutions
• Integrated Approach:
  • At Universities: Extension is integrated with both Teaching and Research.
  • At Research Institutes: Extension complements Research Activities.
  • At Training Institutions: Extension supports Training Programs focused on capacity development.
• Purpose: To develop professionals and scholars who can implement extension principles at field level and help in rural transformation.

2. Extension Service; Definition: This is the practical and operational arm of extension, where actual services are delivered to farmers and rural people.

• Provided by: Mostly by State Governments through various departments like:
  • Agriculture
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Horticulture
  • Fisheries
  • Rural Development
• Key Features:
  • Location-Specific: Based on agro-climatic and socio-economic conditions.
  • Input-Intensive: Utilizes inputs like seeds, fertilizers, tools, etc.
  • Target-Oriented: Focused on achieving measurable results.
  • Result-Oriented: Designed for visible and tangible improvements in livelihoods.
• Goal: To educate rural communities and improve their quality of life through non-formal education.

Philosophy of Extension Education

• What is Philosophy? Philosophy means the love of wisdom, or pursuit of truth.
• It refers to a set of guiding beliefs or principles that direct the purpose and practices of extension education.

Extension Education Philosophy; According to Kelsey and Hearne (1967): “The basic philosophy of extension is to teach people how to think, not what to think.”

Objectives of Extension Education; Objectives guide the actions of extension workers and institutions. These are categorized into three levels:

1. Fundamental Objectives

• Broadest and most general goals of extension.
• Aim for overall development of the rural population.
• Includes:
  • Better standard of living
  • Good citizenship
  • Democratic values
  • Economic and social equity
• Example: Encouraging participation in grassroots planning and community empowerment.

2. General Objectives

• More specific than fundamental, but still broad.
• Related to achieving social and administrative goals.
• Example: Establishment of Panchayati Raj Institutions across states to ensure decentralized governance.

3. Working/Specific Objectives

• These are action-oriented objectives at the operational or field level.
• Examples:
  • Conducting timely panchayat elections
  • Providing funds and facilities to local bodies
  • Implementing relevant laws and policies

🌟 Note: Objectives act as a compass that gives direction and ensures alignment of all extension activities.

👉 Functions of Extension Education

The primary function of extension is to bring about desirable changes in human behavior through non-formal education. This behavior change can be in:

1. Knowledge → What people know (e.g., awareness of improved seeds).
2. Skills → How they do things (e.g., adopting improved sowing techniques).
3. Attitudes → How they feel/react (e.g., positive attitude toward scientific farming).
4. Understanding → How they comprehend issues (e.g., understanding the importance of soil testing).
5. Goals → What they aim to achieve (e.g., doubling productivity).
6. Action → What they do (e.g., use of organic fertilizers).
7. Confidence → How self-reliant they are (e.g., decision-making ability in farming).

Behavior change is the core of extension — without it, there is no progress.

👉 Principles of Extension Education

Principles are foundational truths or universally accepted rules that guide actions in extension.

1. Principle of Cultural Difference: Recognize and respect local traditions, beliefs, and values. Avoid imposing external ideas without understanding the local context.
2. Grassroot Principle: Begin extension work at the village level. Focus on local people, their problems, and their resources.
3. Principle of Indigenous Knowledge: Acknowledge and incorporate local knowledge systems developed over generations. Blend scientific knowledge with folk wisdom.
4. Principle of Needs and Interests: Base extension activities on the felt needs and interests of the people. Avoid top-down approaches.
5. Principle of Learning by Doing: Practical experience enhances learning. Active involvement improves adoption rates of innovations.
6. Principle of Participation: Involve people in every stage — from problem identification to implementation. Promotes ownership and sustainability.
7. Family Principle: Family is the basic social unit. Extension should address all family members (men, women, youth).
8. Principle of Leadership: Identify and involve local leaders. Leaders can influence others and ensure program success.
9. Principle of Adaptability: Be flexible in methods and messages. Customize approaches based on local conditions and feedback.
10. Principle of Satisfaction: Ensure that extension results in visible benefits to the community. Satisfaction encourages further involvement and motivates change.
11. Principle of Evaluation: Regular assessment is necessary to identify gaps, improve programs, and avoid stagnation.

Quick Revision

• Q: Who is responsible for extension education? Universities and ICAR Institutes.
• Q: Who implements extension services at the grassroots level? State Government.
• Q: Extension at universities is integrated with? Teaching and Research.
• Q: Extension at research institutes is integrated with? Research.
• Q: Who said, “Teach how to think, not what to think”? Kelsey and Hearne (1967).
• Q: What is the core aim of extension philosophy? Empowerment through education.
• Q: What is the fundamental objective of extension? Overall development of rural people.
• Q: Main function of extension education? To bring about behavioral change through education.
• What does change in knowledge mean? Change in what people know.
• Q: What does change in skill mean? Change in how people do things.
• Q: What does change in confidence mean? Increase in self-reliance.
• Q: What is the grassroots principle? Start from local problems and people.
• Q: What is the learning by doing principle? Learning is best through practical experience.
• Q: What is the satisfaction principle? Results must meet people’s expectations.
• Q: What is the evaluation principle? Regular assessment is necessary for improvement.