Principles of Extension Education
Definition of Principle; A principle is a universal truth, guiding rule, or fundamental norm that forms the foundation for action. In extension education, these principles guide the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs to bring about positive behavioral change.
List & Discussion of Key Principles
- Principle of Cultural Difference
- Recognize and respect local culture, traditions, beliefs, and values.
- Avoid imposing external innovations without understanding the local socio-cultural fabric.
- Principle of Grassroots (Locality)
- Extension should start at the village level, focusing on local groups, situations, and problems.
- Encourages bottom-up planning.
- Panchayati Raj institutions exemplify this principle in India.
- Increases relevance, acceptability, and ownership of programs.
- Principle of Indigenous Knowledge
- Respect and integrate traditional/local knowledge systems.
- Blend scientific innovation with folk wisdom for sustainable solutions.
- Builds trust and increases the adoption rate.
- Principle of Needs and Interests
- Base extension programs on the felt needs and interests of the community.
- Ensures that the intervention is demand-driven, not supply-driven.
- Promotes effective participation and avoids resistance.
- Principle of Learning by Doing
- People learn best through hands-on experiences.
- Use demonstrations, practical training, and field experiments.
- Encourages understanding of the what, why, how, and result of any action.
- Increases retention and adoption.
- Principle of Participation
- People-centered approach: involve the community at every stage — planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Promotes ownership, motivation, and self-reliance.
- Foundation of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA).
- Principle of Family as a Unit
- Recognizes the family as the primary unit of society.
- Extension work should involve all family members — men, women, youth — for holistic development.
- Principle of Leadership
- Identify and involve local leaders and influencers.
- They act as change agents and help mobilize the community.
- “Don’t do anything for others that they can do themselves.”
- Principle of Adaptability
- Extension methods and messages must be flexible and tailored to local conditions (social, climatic, economic).
- Avoid a rigid approach; adapt based on feedback and field realities.
- Principle of Satisfaction
- Extension activities should result in visible and beneficial outcomes for the community.
- Satisfaction leads to positive attitudes, repeat participation, and peer influence.
- A satisfied farmer is the best advertisement for extension.
- Principle of Evaluation
- Continuous monitoring and evaluation are necessary to ensure progress.
- Helps in identifying gaps, avoiding stagnation (रुकावट), and making timely corrections.
- Evaluation is essential for accountability and learning.
Quick Revision Table
S. No. | Principle | Key Idea |
1 | Cultural Difference | Respect local values and beliefs |
2 | Grassroots | Start with local needs and people |
3 | Indigenous Knowledge | Blend traditional and scientific knowledge |
4 | Needs & Interests | Focus on what people really want |
5 | Learning by Doing | Hands-on experience enhances learning |
6 | Participation | People must be involved in all stages |
7 | Family Principle | Address the whole family unit |
8 | Leadership | Use local leaders to influence adoption |
9 | Adaptability | Be flexible and context-specific |
10 | Satisfaction | Ensure visible and rewarding results |
11 | Evaluation | Continuous review avoids stagnation |
Extension Approaches
Definition: An extension approach is a method or strategy used to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate extension activities to bring about change in knowledge, attitude, and practices of the people.
Basis of Extension Approaches
- The individual is a means to an end.
- Norm followed in India: Predominantly “prescription-based” (पहले से अनुमान).
- Most preferred work in extension: Democratic in nature.
- Varies based on participation, funding, objectives, and institutional support.
Guide on Alternative Extension Approaches
- Author: G.H. Axinn
- According to Axinn, there are 8 major extension approaches.
8 Extension Approaches (Axinn, G.H.)
S. No. | Approach | Key Features | Success Indicator | Examples |
1 | General Agricultural Extension Approach | Govt. sponsored national services. Broad-based, public sector driven. | Rate of adoption & national production increases | State Agricultural Departments |
2 | Commodity Specialized Approach | Focused on single crop or commodity, centralized structure | Improved output of target commodity | Coffee Board, Silk Board, Tobacco Board |
3 | Training and Visit (T&V) Approach | Regular visits by extension staff; top-down transfer of technology | Increased productivity of target crops | World Bank-funded T&V in India |
4 | Farming System Development Approach | Farmer-focused and holistic; integrates crops, livestock, etc. | Adoption and sustained use of developed technologies | FSRE programs |
5 | Project Approach | Short-term, donor or govt. funded projects | Measurable short-term change | NAIP, IVLP |
6 | Cost-Sharing Approach | Farmers share cost of services; private/public partnership | Willingness and ability of farmers to pay | Contract farming, Consultancy |
7 | Educational Institution Approach | Based in universities or agri colleges; more academic | Participation and attendance in extension programs | KVKs, Agricultural Universities |
8 | Participatory Development Approach | Bottom-up planning with farmers’ full involvement | Empowerment and local innovation | Farmer Field Schools, PRA tools |
📍 Participatory Development Approach
- Also known as: Bottom-Up Approach
- Features: Empowering local communities, shared decision-making, promotes sustainability.
- Tools used: PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal), RRA, group meetings, community mapping.
Important
- Guide on Extension Approaches is written by G.H. Axinn.
- India follows a prescription-based extension model.
- T&V: Success measured by crop productivity increase.
- Self-Mobilization: People act independently to bring change.
- Project Approach: Success = short-term measurable changes.
- Cost-Sharing: Success = ability and willingness to pay.
- Educational Institution: Success = attendance and participation.
- Participatory Development = Bottom-up approach.
