• Extension Programme planning

The initial step in promoting rural development is to create programs that address the needs of the community. Planning these programs should align with the local needs as perceived by the people, as well as with the national interests. This planning is a key responsibility of extension personnel at all levels, including national, state, district, block, and village levels.

Programme planning is the process of making decisions about the direction & intensity of extension-education efforts of extension-service to bring about social, economic & technological changes.

According to Kelsey and Hearne (1967) An extension programme is a statement of situation, objective, problems and solutions. It is relatively permanent but requires  constant revision.

Some relevant terms required to understand in programme planning given below

Programme: Programme is a written statement which describes proposed developmental activities, the problems they address, the actions, and resources required.

Planning: it is a process which involves studying the past and present in order to forecast the future and in the light of that forecast determining he goal to be achieved.

Plan: Plan is schedule of development work outlining different activities in a specific period. It answers the questions like what, why, how, and when as well as by whom and where the work is to be done.

Aims: Aims are generalized and broad statement of directions with respect to given activities. eg. The improvement of farmers’ economic condition.

Objectives: Objectives are expression of ends towards which our efforts are directed. The dictionary meaning of objective is ‘something that one’s efforts or actions are intended to attain or accomplish, e.g. To increase the yield of rice by 30 percent.

Goal: Goal is the distance in any given direction one expects to go during a given period of time

Problem: It refers to a situation, condition, or issue that is yet unresolved and after study people decided need to change it.

Solution: Solution is a course of proposed action to change an unsatisfactory condition to

one that is more satisfying.

Project: it is a specification of work to be done or procedures to be followed in order to  accomplish a particular objective.

Plan: It is a predetermined course of action.

Plan of work: it is an outline of activities so arranged as to enable efficient execution of the programme. The plan of work indicates what, who, how and when the activities will carried out.

Calendar of Work: Calendar of work is a plan of activities to be undertaken in a particular time sequence

Principles of Extension Programme Planning

Extension programs aim to enhance rural life through individual, group, and community actions. The planning of these programs is guided by certain principles that are applicable regardless of the clientele or the enterprises they are engaged in. Viz.

1. Extension programmes should be based on an analysis of the past experiences, present situation and future needs. For programme determination adequate information about the people and their situation have to be collected. The present information is to be analyses and interpreted on the basis of past experiences, by taking local people into confidence. This shall help in arriving at the future needs.

2. Extension programmes should have clear and significant objectives, which could satisfy important needs of the people. The primary goal of program development is to meet the needs of the people. To achieve this, specific objectives addressing the key needs of the community should be selected and clearly defined. The focus should be on what is realistically achievable, without losing sight of the ideal outcomes.

3. Extension programmes should fix up priority on the basis of available resources and time. In developed countries, rural communities often face multiple challenges, but it is not possible to address all issues due to limited resources. Therefore, it is important to set priorities within the program based on the most pressing needs.

4. Extension programmes should clearly indicate the availability and utilization of resources.

To ensure that a program is practical and feasible, it is crucial to clearly outline the availability of funds, facilities, supplies, and necessary personnel, as well as how these resources will be utilized.

5. Extension programmes should have a general agreement at various levels. Programs are developed at various levels, including village, district, state, and national. It’s essential that the extension programs from different departments or levels do not conflict with or contradict each other.

6. Extension programmes should involve people at the local level. Extension programs are carried out at the local level, so it’s important to involve local people in all stages, from program planning to implementation.

7. Extension programmes should involve relevant institutions and organization.

Extension programs cannot be implemented in isolation; they require the support of various institutions and organizations. The program should clearly outline which institutions and organizations will be involved and how they will contribute to achieving the program’s objectives.

8. Extension programme should have definite plan of work.

The plan of work may be separately drawn up or incorporated in the programme. The programme should at least broadly indicate how it will be executed.

9. Extension programme should provide for evaluation of results and reconsideration of the programme. The program should include provisions for regular monitoring and evaluation of its progress. Based on the evaluation findings, the program should be adjusted as needed to achieve the objectives within the specified timeframe

10. Extension programmes should provide for equitable distribution of benefits amongst the members of the community. In many programs, resource-rich individuals often benefit more than those with fewer resources, which can lead to social disparity and tension. To address this, extension program planning should prioritize and focus on supporting the weaker sections of the community.

Extension Programme Planning Process:

The extension programme planning process is a structured approach aimed at facilitating development initiatives, particularly in agricultural or rural communities. It ensures that an extension programme is well-thought-out, adaptable, and responsive to the changing needs of people. As outlined, the process is cyclical and continuous, meaning that each step influences and refines subsequent steps to ensure progress and effectiveness.

Key Phases of the Extension Programme Planning Process

The planning process is divided into two main phases:

1. Programme Phase (Steps 1 to 4)
2. Action Phase (Steps 5 to 7)

Finally, Step 8 – Reconsideration, acts as a bridge, ensuring that the two phases remain connected in a continuous loop.

Programme-Phase (Steps 1 to 4)

1. Collection of Facts

Purpose: Gather relevant and reliable information about the community and its conditions to form the foundation of planning.

• Data Collected Includes:
  • Physical Conditions: Land, soil, climate, irrigation facilities.
  • Socio-economic Conditions: Farmers’ income, literacy levels, employment status.
  • Existing Practices: Farm and home practices, traditional customs, rural institutions.
  • Community Dynamics: Organizations, leadership structures, local customs, etc.

• Methods for Data Collection:
  • Systematic Observations
    Observing the community, work practices, and interactions.
  • Questionnaires and Surveys
    Designed to gather direct insights from people.
  • Interviews
    Conducting personal or group interviews to explore specific issues.
  • Government and Statistical Data
    Utilizing census reports, records from the Planning Commission, Central Bureau of Statistics.
  • Past Experiences
    Drawing insights from previous extension programmes and local knowledge.

2. Analysis of the Situation

Purpose: Analyze the collected facts to identify the pressing issues and areas that need attention.

• Objectives:
  • Understanding the challenges faced by the community.
  • Pinpointing socio-economic constraints and opportunities.
  • Determining the gap between the current situation and desired outcomes.

• Process:
  • Data interpretation to discern trends and patterns.
  • Identification of critical areas requiring intervention.

3. Identification of Problems

Purpose: Determine the discrepancies between the current state (‘what is’) and the desired state (‘what ought to be’).

• Outcome: Identification of people’s needs and gaps in areas such as:
  • Productivity and farming techniques
  • Income generation opportunities
  • Educational and skill development
  • Health and sanitation
• By identifying these problems, the extension team pinpoints actionable areas to address.

4. Determination of Objectives

Purpose: Define clear, actionable goals that address the identified issues.

• Objective Types:
  • Short-term objectives: Easily achievable in a few months.
  • Long-term objectives: Require sustained efforts over a year or more.
• Characteristics of Good Objectives:
  • Clarity: Easy to understand and define.
  • Measurability: Tangible outcomes to evaluate progress.
  • Realistic and Actionable: Achievable given the available resources and constraints.
• Example:
  • Objective to improve crop yield by 30% within two years through better irrigation techniques and seed varieties.

Action-Phase (Steps 5 to 7)

5. Developing the Plan of Work

Purpose: Outline the methods and activities required to meet the objectives.

• Key Components of the Plan of Work:
  • Technical Content: Tools, methods, and technologies to be implemented.
  • Roles and Responsibilities: Assigning tasks to extension workers, local leaders, and farmers.
  • Timeframe: Establishing timelines for seasonal, short-term, and annual goals.
• Example:
  • A seasonal plan for sowing and harvesting with specific dates and tasks.

6. Execution of the Plan of Work

Purpose: Implement the plan through practical activities.

• Key Actions Include:
  • Supplying Inputs: Seeds, fertilizers, irrigation tools.
  • Organizing Training Sessions: Demonstrations, workshops, practical training sessions.
  • Literature Distribution: Providing extension books, pamphlets, and handouts.
  • Promoting Participation: Encouraging farmers and community members to actively engage in activities.
• Key Focus: Ensuring community participation and interaction at every step. It’s important that the community members themselves contribute to the planning and execution to ensure relevance and commitment.

7. Evaluation

Purpose: Assess the impact of the extension programme against the set objectives and goals.

• Evaluation Parameters:
  • Behavioural Changes: Observable changes in farming practices and habits.
  • Technical Outcomes: Improvements in crop yields, livestock health.
  • Physical and Material Impact: Infrastructure development, irrigation efficiency.
  • Methodology Assessment: Reviewing the effectiveness of extension methods.
• Objective: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the extension methods and make improvements where necessary.

Step 8: Reconsideration

Purpose: Continuous improvement through reassessment and refinement.

• Why is Reconsideration Important?
  • Each evaluation provides insights into what worked and what didn’t.
  • Based on the results, adjustments are made to improve methods and outcomes.
  • It ensures the extension programme remains dynamic, adaptive, and context-specific.
• This step reconnects with fact collection, as the insights gathered from reconsideration often require gathering new data to update the programme continuously.