Extension Work in the United States

Agricultural extension in the USA has a strong institutional and legal framework, backed by land-grant universities, research stations, and cooperative extension services.

Key Milestones of Agricultural Extension in the USA

• 1775 – The first Agricultural Society was established in Philadelphia to promote knowledge-sharing among farmers.
• 1862 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) was established to support agricultural research and rural development.
• 1862 – The Morrill Act was passed under President Abraham Lincoln, leading to the establishment of Land Grant Colleges. These institutions provided agricultural education and research to benefit rural populations.
• 1887 – The Hatch Act was passed, which led to the creation of Agricultural Experiment Stations to conduct research on farming methods.
• 1914 – The Smith-Lever Act established Cooperative Extension Services, linking land-grant universities with farmers, rural families, and businesses to promote agricultural education and technology transfer.

Features of the US Extension System

• Strong linkage between research and education – Extension services operate through land-grant universities in collaboration with farmers and rural communities.
• Focus on technology and innovation – The US system has played a significant role in mechanization, biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture.
• Community-driven approach – Cooperative Extension Services work closely with local communities, farmers, and youth groups (like 4-H programs) to promote better farming practices.
• Extension as Education – The extension system in the USA is deeply connected to education, ensuring that farmers continuously learn about new technologies, climate adaptation, and sustainable practices.

Extension Work in Japan

Japan has a multi-tiered agricultural extension system, emphasizing community participation, research, and digital innovation.

Key Milestones of Agricultural Extension in Japan

1. 1880 – The establishment of Agriculture Discussion Societies (Nodal-Kai), where farmers gathered to discuss farming issues and share knowledge.
2. 1893 – The official extension system began with the creation of Agricultural Experiment Stations, which conducted field trials and research on better farming practices.
3. Three-Level Extension System – Japan’s extension structure operates at:
   • National Level – Policies and research guidance from the central government.
   • Prefectural Level – Local implementation of agricultural extension activities.
   • Village Level – Direct farmer training, advisory services, and demonstration programs.
4. Farm Youth Training – Young farmers receive extension training after completing six years of elementary school and three years of lower secondary school, ensuring early agricultural education.
5. El-Net System – Japan introduced the Extension Information Network System (El-Net), a digital information-sharing platform for farmers, enhancing the accessibility of modern agricultural practices.

Features of the Japanese Extension System

• Community-Based Approach – Japan’s extension system strongly focuses on farmer participation and collective decision-making.
• Government-Led Initiatives – Unlike the USA, where extension services are linked with universities, Japan’s extension services are primarily government-operated at different administrative levels.
• Technology Integration – Japan’s El-Net system has revolutionized digital extension services, ensuring real-time weather updates, pest alerts, and modern farming techniques.
• Youth-Oriented Training – A structured approach ensures that young farmers receive proper training in agricultural techniques before entering full-time farming.

Agricultural Extension in India

Agricultural extension in India has evolved through various phases, from pre-independence community development programs to modern digital and ICT-based extension initiatives. The focus has always been on enhancing rural livelihoods, increasing agricultural productivity, and ensuring food security.

1. Pre-Independence Era (Before 1947); During the British rule, agriculture and rural development were not a priority, and most efforts were aimed at maximizing revenue. However, some significant initiatives were taken:

Key Developments

• Famine Commissions (1880 & 1901) – The British government established these commissions to study the causes of recurring famines.
• Royal Commission on Agriculture (1928) – Recommended agricultural reforms, rural credit systems, and the establishment of Imperial (now Indian) Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 1929.
• Sriniketan Experiment (1921) – Started by Rabindranath Tagore in Bengal to promote rural reconstruction, self-reliance, and cooperative farming.
• Marthandam Project (1921) – Initiated by Spencer Hatch, focused on community development, self-help, and vocational training in rural areas.
• Gandhian Approach to Rural Development – Mahatma Gandhi emphasized Gram Swaraj (village self-sufficiency), Khadi, and small-scale industries to improve rural livelihoods.

2. Post-Independence Era (1947 – Present); After independence, the Indian government prioritized agricultural extension and rural development through various programs.

Community Development Programs (1952 – 1960s)

• Community Development Programme (CDP) – 1952; First major rural development program in independent India. Introduced a multi-purpose approach, covering agriculture, irrigation, education, health, and rural industries.
• Intensive Agricultural District Programme (IADP) – 1960; Focused on selected districts to increase food grain production using modern farming techniques. Also known as the “Package Programme” because it provided a full set of resources, including seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation.
• Intensive Agricultural Area Programme (IAAP) – 1964; Expanded the IADP model to more districts across India.

Green Revolution and Agricultural Extension (1960s – 1980s)

• The Green Revolution (1966–1975) introduced high-yielding varieties (HYVs), fertilizers, irrigation, and mechanization to improve food security. Several extension programs were initiated:
• High Yielding Variety Programme (HYVP) – 1966; Promoted the use of HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation to increase food grain production.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) – 1974; Established by ICAR to provide on-farm training, research, and demonstrations for farmers. KVKs work as farm science centers to transfer modern agricultural technology to farmers.
• Lab-to-Land Programme – 1979; Launched by ICAR to transfer scientific research and technologies directly to farmers through field demonstrations.

Targeted Rural Development and Agricultural Extension (1980s – 2000s)

• To bridge the gap between research and farmers, several targeted extension and rural development programs were introduced.
• Training and Visit (T&V) System – 1974; Introduced with World Bank assistance to provide regular, systematic training for extension workers. Discontinued in the 1990s due to high costs and lack of farmer participation.
• National Agricultural Extension Project (NAEP) – 1983; Strengthened institutional capacity of extension services at the state level.
• National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP) – 1998; Aimed at developing location-specific technologies and strengthening farmer-research linkages.

Modern Agricultural Extension and ICT Initiatives (2000 – Present); With advancements in technology and digitalization, modern agricultural extension in India has shifted towards farmer-centric, ICT-based models.

• Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) – 2005; A decentralized extension approach that brings together researchers, extension workers, and farmers at the district level. Focuses on farmer-driven planning and technology transfer.
• National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A) – 2010; Uses mobile apps, websites, and call centers to provide real-time agricultural information to farmers.
• Kisan Call Centers (KCC) – 2004; A toll-free helpline (1800-180-1551) for farmers to get expert advice in 22 regional languages.
• mKisan Portal (2013); SMS-based service for weather updates, farming techniques, and government schemes.
• Soil Health Cards (SHC) – 2015; Helps farmers understand their soil fertility status and recommends the right use of fertilizers.
• PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi (2019); Provides direct income support (₹6,000 per year) to small and marginal farmers.